At Horstmann Cattle Company, every animal we raise is born, grazed, and finished right here in the United States.
We’re proud to provide 100% American, pasture-raised, regenerative beef to Missouri families and local customers. But most consumers don’t realize that beef labeled “Product of USA” doesn’t always mean it was raised here at home.
Today, a growing share of beef sold in the U.S. is imported — and much of it is controlled by foreign-owned corporations, not American family farms.
The Big Four Meat Companies — and Who Really Owns Them
Four major companies dominate the U.S. beef industry, but not all of them are American-owned:
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Tyson Foods (USA) – Based in Arkansas, Tyson is publicly traded and remains one of the few U.S.-controlled meat companies.
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Cargill Meat Solutions (USA) – Based in Kansas, Cargill is family-owned and one of the world’s largest private corporations.
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JBS USA Holdings, Inc. (Brazil) – Operates out of Colorado, but is wholly owned by JBS S.A., a Brazilian company and the world’s largest meat processor.
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National Beef Packing Company (Brazil) – Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, but 81% owned by Marfrig Global Foods, another Brazilian corporation.
So while beef may be processed here in the U.S., much of it is actually imported or foreign-controlled — creating a misleading sense of “buying American.”
The Rising Tide of Imported Beef
Imports of foreign beef have surged dramatically in 2025 — particularly from Brazil.
📈 Evidence of an Increase:
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From January to May 2025, the U.S. imported about 214,540 metric tons of beef from Brazil — up 112.7% compared to the same period in 2024.
- During the first four months of 2025, exports from Brazil to the U.S. reached around 120,559 metric tons, representing a 303% increase over the same period last year.
This sharp rise means more imported beef on American shelves, often processed and repackaged under “Product of USA” labeling — a loophole that confuses consumers and undercuts U.S. ranchers.
“The Big Picture: How Much Beef is the US Importing in 2025?
According to the USDA, total beef imports in 2025 are projected to reach approximately 5.27 billion pounds, up 13.8% from 2024.
- January 2025: Imports hit an all-time monthly high of 608 million pounds, a 21% jump from January 2024.
- By April 2025: Monthly imports stood at 475 million pounds, 45% higher year-over-year. Year-to-date totals were already 28% higher than in the same period last year.”
Source: https://www.usimportdata.com/blogs/us-beef-imports-by-country-2025-report
Why Imported Beef Hurts American Ranchers
Imported beef can often be produced at a lower cost due to differences in labor laws, environmental standards, and animal welfare regulations. That cheaper product floods the U.S. market, driving prices down for hardworking American farmers who operate under stricter and more sustainable standards.
As a result, U.S. ranchers — especially small, independent farms — struggle to compete, even though they produce a superior product.
Wyatt Pickering states in his opinion piece for The Battalion, “The farmer and rancher haven’t just been abandoned. They’ve been strategically cut off from making changes that are absolutely necessary in exchange for giving profits to the largest companies. It’s an insult to the foundation of our country and the people who work every day to put food on all of our tables.”
Source: https://thebatt.com/opinion/opinion-the-american-rancher-has-been-abandoned/
Why Buying Local Beef Matters
When you buy beef directly from local/regenerative farmers like Horstmann Cattle Company, you’re doing far more than filling your freezer — you’re making an impact:
- Supporting local family farms and keeping dollars in your community
- Strengthening American food security by reducing reliance on foreign imports
- Ensuring full transparency — you know exactly where your beef comes from
- Reducing environmental impact through shorter supply chains, and in our case, regenerative grazing
Resources for finding local farmers:
- Realorganicproject.org - A searchable directory of certified organic and pasture-raised farms across the U.S.
- Localharvest.org - A nationwide directory of family farms, CSAs, farmers’ markets and online farm stores. You can search by location to find nearby direct-to-consumer farms
- Eatwild.com – A directory focused on pasture-based farming. Find local producers of grass-fed meat, eggs, dairy and more, with a state-by-state search
- Redhenapp.com - A mobile app recommended for locating local farms, products and delivery options; supports direct connections between consumers and producers.
Local News Feature
Recently, Fox 2 News visited our farm to discuss the surge in imported beef and how it’s affecting Missouri ranchers. August shared why buying locally raised, American beef is essential — not just for the economy, but for consumers who want to know their food’s story.
Read the full article: Missouri Ranchers Worry Beef Imports Will Be Bad for Consumers