For Immediate Release
By: R-CALF USA Communications Director Jaiden Moreland
Contact: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard
Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2026 — President Donald Trump today signed executive orders advancing cattle and sheep industry reforms aimed at strengthening competition, rebuilding domestic processing capacity, addressing predation and regulatory burdens, and supporting the long-term viability of America’s independent livestock producers.
Among the actions announced by the White House, the executive orders:
- Direct the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the U.S. Trade Representative, to review within 90 days all statutory and regulatory authorities that may allow for mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef and conduct an updated economic analysis. Following that review, USDA may pursue regulations requiring MCOOL under existing law or work with the White House to develop legislative recommendations to restore mandatory labeling.
- Heighten enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, including investigations into unfair practices and price manipulation, increased enforcement resources, and coordination with the Department of Justice on antitrust actions.
- Expand interstate market opportunities for independent producers and processors by increasing participation in state-federal cooperative inspection programs and directing USDA to identify barriers preventing state-inspected and custom-exempt meat from entering interstate commerce. The orders also call for streamlined inspection, technical assistance for small processors, and a guaranteed loan program to support small and regional processing capacity.
- Direct the Department of the Interior to determine within 90 days whether gray and Mexican wolves meet Endangered Species Act criteria for delisting or downlisting and begin that process if warranted. The orders also direct agencies to improve livestock depredation compensation and evidentiary standards and consider greater flexibility and emergency responsiveness for lethal removal of wolves threatening livestock.
- Require a governmentwide review of federal regulations and policies affecting ranchers, with recommendations aimed at improving their financial viability and market access.
R-CALF USA President Dave Hyde and R-CALF USA Property Rights Chair Shad Sullivan represented American independent livestock producers at the signings.
“These executive orders don’t fix everything with the stroke of a pen, but they put the weight of the administration behind tackling several longstanding challenges facing cattle producers,” said Hyde. “They set in motion efforts to find a path forward on MCOOL, strengthen enforcement against unfair and anticompetitive practices, expand opportunities for independent processors, address wolf delisting and livestock depredation, and identify federal policies that are making it harder for ranchers to stay in business.
“R-CALF USA has worked tirelessly to advance reforms in these areas, engaging directly with the administration to offer clear direction and practical solutions,” Hyde continued. “We welcome today’s action as a step forward.
“This is only the start,” Hyde said. “There is more work to be done to build a cattle and beef marketplace that rewards American producers, provides consumers with transparency, and rebuilds our domestic cattle industry for generations to come.”
“Our ranching members have spent decades pressing the federal government to address many of the issues included in today’s executive orders,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. “We encourage them to stay mobilized as we enter the important implementation stage and continue working to rebuild a cattle and beef supply chain that has been allowed to deteriorate for far too long.”
# # #
Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) is the largest producer-only lobbying and trade association representing U.S. cattle and sheep producers. It is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle and sheep industries. Visit www.r-calfusa.com or call 406-252-2516 for more information.