Commissioner Sid Miller Outlines Five-Point Beef Policy to Support U.S. Consumers and Producers

AUSTIN, Texas (October 23, 2025) — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller unveiled a detailed five-point plan Thursday aimed at rebuilding America’s cattle herd, reducing beef prices at the grocery store, and protecting U.S. ranchers from what he described as “failed Biden administration policies.”

Miller’s proposal follows a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plan introduced this week under President Donald Trump’s administration and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. While Miller said he welcomes the USDA’s initiative, he urged the administration to take additional steps to strengthen the nation’s beef industry and lower consumer prices.

“The plan released yesterday by the USDA is a good start,” Miller said. “But as Agriculture Commissioner of our nation’s largest beef-producing state — and a rancher myself — I believe more can be done to help rebuild our national herd and support both producers and consumers.”

Miller’s five key recommendations include:

1. Avoid Reliance on Lower-Quality Argentinian Beef Imports — Miller argues that additional imports from Argentina will only affect low-grade hamburger meat and do little to support U.S. producers or improve overall meat quality.
2. Reverse the Agricultural Trade Deficit — Citing a $48 billion trade gap, Miller said the U.S. should focus on exporting high-quality American beef instead of increasing imports that “outsource our food supply.”
3. Reopen and Expand Grazing Access — Miller called for reopening federal grazing lands idled under President Biden’s “30 by 30” conservation initiative and for allowing grazing on land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program to aid ranchers facing drought.
4. Create a Heifer Retention Tax Credit — Modeled after the Child Tax Credit, this incentive would reward producers for keeping heifers to rebuild the national cattle herd and expand domestic beef supply.
5. Targeted Imports of Live Mexican Cattle — Miller proposed reopening ports for feeder cattle from Mexico to stabilize the beef supply chain, noting that carefully managed imports could be achieved without compromising biosecurity.

“These five actions will rebuild America’s cattle herd, stabilize beef supplies, lower consumer prices, and support our nation’s cattle producers,” Miller said.

He also praised President Trump for “engaging directly with producers” and supporting policies aimed at revitalizing rural America. “By working together, we can strengthen our domestic beef industry and ensure that families across the country have access to high-quality, affordable American beef,” Miller added.

The Texas Department of Agriculture said it will continue coordinating with federal officials and livestock organizations to promote measures that boost cattle production while keeping food prices in check.

The full text of Commissioner Miller’s policy statement is available through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s website.