(Photo by Wyoming Beef Council)

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Gov. Mark Gordon noted recent discussions regarding the potential increase in beef imports from Argentina has generated understandable concern among Wyoming cattle ranchers and their counterparts nationwide. 

The governor understands the short-term impacts of these discussions have had a destabilizing impact on cattle markets at this strategic time when many Wyoming producers are marketing their animals. 

“Our livestock producers take great pride in supplying U.S. beef, and while prices at the store are currently unusually high, we should look at domestic solutions to increase the number of U.S. raised beef. Increasing our reliance on cattle imports is not the best answer for our ranchers, farmers or U.S. consumers,” Gordon said.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins issued on Wednesday a comprehensive plan intended to “expedite deregulatory reforms, boost processing capacity” and work “across the government to fix longstanding common-sense barriers for ranchers.”

Gordon said in a press release he looks forward to working with Rollins, Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum and other administrative leaders to implement the portions of this plan that will strengthen Wyoming’s cattle industry. 

“Wyoming’s local producers produce some of the most high-quality beef, which significantly contributes to national beef production efforts,” Gordon said. 

Developing local strategies for the cattle industry that will ensure sustained success and accessibility for all American consumers is one of the issues the governor expects the recently-appointed Cowboy State Agricultural Initiative Working Group to address, Gordon said.