Colorado Ranchers Have a Beef with Beef Imports

Colorado’s ranchers are warning that new trade moves and beef imports could deepen the financial hit they’re already facing from tariffs.

Colorado’s agricultural industry could lose tens of millions of dollars because of tariffs — and ranchers say a plan to import more beef from Argentina could make things worse.

A recent state report estimates the tariffs could cut beef industry revenue by nearly $39 million in the first half of the year compared to 2024, cost 265 jobs, and reduce economic output by $80 million.

The Trump administration said Wednesday it will reopen more than two thousand USDA offices during the shutdown to help farmers tap $3 billion in existing aid. The move follows the president’s suggestion to import Argentine beef to help lower prices for consumers — a proposal many ranchers oppose.

Chad Franke with the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union said U.S. producers have only recently begun to see fair returns after years of low profits, and more imports could erode those gains. He said the frozen, leaner Argentine beef would likely be mixed with domestic product but wouldn’t meaningfully lower grocery prices.

Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and state lawmakers from both parties are urging the administration not to intervene in the domestic beef market, citing concerns over food safety, quality, and Argentina’s history of foot and mouth disease.

Experts at Colorado State University say higher feed and equipment costs — along with drought-driven smaller herds — have already pushed beef prices up about 14% since last year. The state’s 2.5 million cattle mark one of the smallest herds in 50 years.

Economists warn that the combination of tariffs, higher costs, and market uncertainty could ripple through Colorado’s $47 billion agriculture industry for months to come.

Beef remains the state’s top agricultural export, accounting for the bulk of $2.7 billion in farm exports last year.