36 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN October 2026 ly notify me, so that I may determine whether to eliminate what remains of the increased in-quota.” Many state and national ag groups issued statements echoing disappointment on behalf of American producers. To date, the Trump Administration has not publicly announced the source of new beef imports, how the price of lean trim will be tracked by the administration or how the 25 percent below-market price piece will be enforced. NC issued the following statement: “The President’s statement on Truth Social today could not have come at worse time for producers who are making critical decisions regarding heifer retention and herd expansion. Long-term market stability is imperative for herd expansion, and this type of short-term messaging hinders beef cattle producers by creating uncertainty instead of letting a cyclical market do its job.” In the wake of this announcement, on Aug. 31, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched the Ranchers First Initiative, usda.gov/about-usda/ news/press-releases/2026/08/31/ secretary-rollins-announces-ranchers- rst-initiatives-rebuild-great-american-beef-herd. Aimed at bolstering domestic beef supply, the announcement signals new funding opportunities and new rulemaking processes in the weeks ahead. Here’s some of what it will cover: • The new Beef Retention and National Development (BRAND) endorsement for Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) will allow producers to insure the economic value of retaining a heifer for breeding over a two-year period. The endorsement would establish a protected value based on the expected slaughter value of the heifer at the time of enrollment. If, at any time during the endorsement period, the heifer’s projected or realized slaughter value exceeds the economic value of retaining her as breeding stock, the policy would provide for the di erence. • USDA will allow producers to use the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) on Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres to speed recovery after wild res and other natural disasters. • USDA is creating a Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Guaranteed Loan Program to help support regional processing, including establishing processor co-ops, FEDERAL ISSUES AT THE FOREFRONT CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34 A family owned and operated Commercial Feedlot located in the heart of Nebraska’s Corn Production. OUR ATTENTION TO DETAIL MAXIMIZES YOUR PROFIT POTENTIAL! DFI also offers: Risk Management • Partnership Feeding Multiple Marketing Options Retained Ownership • Feeder Financing Private Consulting Nutritionist Private Consulting Veterinarian Location Close to All Major Packers Permanent Shades in Pens Two Locations: Columbus & Palmer • 13,500 head capacity Mike Drinnin, Owner/Manager • miked@drinninfeedlots.com Office: (402) 564-7409 • sharib@drinninfeedlots.com drinninfeedlots.com Jarad Drinnin - Columbus Cell: (402) 910-6508 Sam Drinnin - Palmer Cell: (402) 910-0233 CONTINUED ON PAGE 38
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