National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew has responded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent plan to support beef producers, expressing concern about ongoing challenges for family farmers and ranchers.
Larew stated, “Family agriculture is in crisis, and American farmers and ranchers are fighting for their livelihoods. For months, they’ve been told there’s nothing policymakers can do—while farm aid is delayed, trade negotiations are canceled and progress on the farm bill has stalled. Yet even during the government shutdown, this administration found a way to send taxpayer aid to another country, undercutting American producers in the process.”
He continued, “This is not just about Argentina or imported beef—it’s about priorities. Decisions like these send a message to every cattle producer, family farmer and consumer in America about whose side Washington is really on.”
Larew highlighted the difficulties faced by farm families: “Farm families are under immense strain from rising costs, depressed markets, and uncertainty at every turn. These challenges are not new, but the ongoing government shutdown has only deepened them. It has delayed the support that farmers, rural communities and hungry Americans need—and it’s jeopardizing the health coverage families count on to stay safe and healthy.”
The NFU president called for both immediate relief and long-term policy changes: “We need help across rural America — both now and for the long run. That means immediate relief, paired with long-term policies that restore fairness, stability and opportunity across rural America.”
While acknowledging recent USDA actions aimed at supporting cattle ranchers and reopening some services, Larew said these efforts do not fully address larger issues: “We appreciate USDA’s recently announced plans to support American cattle ranchers and efforts to reopen some services, but they still fall short of addressing the larger, systemic issues facing farm country. Real support means rebuilding cattle herds and enacting mandatory country-of-origin labeling to meet domestic beef demand, restoring competition and strengthening antitrust laws throughout the agriculture sector, implementing a forward-looking vision that expands domestic markets for crops, and creating a fair marketplace that works for farmers and consumers alike.”
He concluded with a call for equitable treatment: “American farmers and ranchers should not be asked to wait while others are given a leg up.”
The National Farmers Union represents hundreds of thousands of members through state and regional divisions with a democratic structure guided by member input. Founded in 1902, it supports family farmers through education initiatives, advocacy work—including annual conventions—and collaboration at state and local levels according to its official website. The organization promotes fair farm policy as well as sustainable agricultural practices designed to enhance economic well-being in rural communities and foster community building. Rob Larew serves as president of NFU as noted by NFU.
