Product Of USA Label Creates New Opportunities For Cattle Producers

Summary

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Ranch It Up Radio Show & Podcast

Episode Title: Product Of USA Label Creates New Opportunities For Cattle Producers
Hosts: Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt & Rebecca “BEC” Wanner
Date: April 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the recent changes to the USDA’s “Product of USA” label, highlighting new opportunities and greater transparency for American cattle producers. Tigger & BEC discuss the motivations behind stricter standards, the impacts on U.S. beef markets, and how these changes empower both producers and consumers. They also preview upcoming events and clarify the difference between label standards and food safety concerns, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and storytelling in beef production.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. USDA “Product of USA” Label: Why the Change Matters

• Loophole Closed: Previously, imported beef could be labeled as “Product of USA,” leading to confusion among consumers and unfair disadvantages for local producers. The updated USDA rule means:

  • Only beef from animals born, raised, harvested, and processed entirely in the U.S. can carry the label.

  • Voluntary participation—producers must verify and document full U.S. origin for their beef to use the label.

    Quote:

    “Imported beef could still carry the label, creating confusion for consumers and an uneven playing field for American producers. Now that loophole is closed.”
    — Kent Bacus, National Cattleman’s Beef Association [01:16-01:57]

2. A New Marketplace Distinction

• Marketing Power: The stricter label now gives U.S. producers a meaningful way to separate their product and build trust with consumers.

• Not a Food Safety Issue: The change is about transparency and marketing integrity, not new food safety measures.

• Empowering the Story: Today’s consumers care not just about the food itself, but the history and story behind it.

  Quote:

  “It is about building trust. He calls it a marketing tool, one that helps connect consumers to where their food comes from and adds integrity to the label. Because today, shoppers aren't just buying beef, they're buying a story behind it.”
  — Kent Bacus [01:56-02:42]

3. Voluntary Opt-in—With Real Accountability

• The new rule is not mandatory. Companies can choose whether or not to use the “Product of USA” label, but if they do, they must comply strictly with the new standards.

  Quote:

  “Importantly, this is not a requirement, this is a choice. Companies can opt in to use the label, but only if they can verify and document that the product meets those full U.S. Origin standards.”
  — Kent Bacus [01:57-01:56]

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Market Impact:

  “This opens the door for real distinction in the marketplace and gives US Producers a clear way to promote their product.”
  — Kent Bacus [01:56]

• Consumer Trust:

  “Today, shoppers aren't just buying beef, they're buying a story behind it.”
  — Kent Bacus [02:41]

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Important Timestamps

• [01:12] - Introduction of Kent Bacus from the National Cattleman’s Beef Association
• [01:13-01:57] - Explanation of the new USDA rule, its origins, and practical effects
• [01:57-02:42] - Discussion on voluntary labeling, its role as a marketing tool, and consumer connections
• [02:42-02:55] - Preview of upcoming content: Gulf Coast Classic update, CattleMax software mention

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Additional Highlights

• Event Announcements:

  • Promotion for Jorgensen Land and Cattle’s Angus Bull Sale in South Dakota
  • Information on the upcoming Miles City Bucking Horse Sale in Montana (skip content per instructions, but these events show the community context)

• Next Episode Teaser:

  • Coverage to come on new sales, livestock management technology (CattleMax), and more industry news.

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Summary Takeaways

This episode offers a concise yet meaningful breakdown of how new USDA rules for the “Product of USA” label are reshaping the cattle industry. Producers now have a clear, trustworthy means of marketing their beef's American heritage, while consumers gain assurance and connection to their food’s story. Hosts Tigger & BEC keep the tone frank, optimistic, and rooted in the working ranch perspective, giving listeners a valuable overview of industry changes that prioritize honesty and integrity in beef labeling.

Transcript

[A]

Your Ranch it Up Heard it here.

[B]

Weekly recap is up right after this.

[C]

Jorgensen Land and Cattle, the nation's largest seed stock supplier invites you to the ranch in Ideal, South Dakota for the 54th annual Top Cut Angus Bull Sale powered by the motherlode, featuring 200 registered Angus bulls backed by proven maternal strength and long term cow herd value. All sale [e-mail] and jorgensenfarms.com for 54 years the top Cut Sale has been the standard for tactical performance driven Angus genetics. Jorgensen Land and Cattle at The Ranch

[B]

Monday, April 20, the 2026 World Famous

[D]

Miles City Bucking Horse Sale starts with horse racing six days with Pari Mutual wagering May 2nd and 3rd on Derby days coinciding with the Kentucky Derby. That'll be shown live in Miles City, Montana.

[B]

Mother's Day is extra special with moms free to the races and more races added.

[D]

May 15th through the 17th the world famous Mile City Buc Horse Sale, where

[A]

the spirit of the west comes alive.

[B]

For a full schedule and tickets, head

[D]

to buckinghorse sale.com

[B]

Kent Backus of the

[A]

National Cattleman's Beef association shares why cattle

[B]

producers are encouraged by USDA's renewed push behind the voluntary product of the USA label For years, US cattle producers have pushed to fix what they saw as a misleading labeling loophole, and now that change is here. Kent Bacus says the updated USDA rule finally tightens the standards behind the Product of USA label. He explains the concerns were simple imported beef could still carry the label, creating confusion for consumers and an uneven playing field for American producers. Now that loophole is closed. Under the updated rule, any product using the Product of USA label the must

[A]

come from animals that were born, raised,

[B]

harvested and processed right here in the United States. Bacchus says this opens the door for real distinction in the marketplace and gives US Producers a clear way to promote their product. Importantly, this is not a requirement, this is a choice. Companies can opt in to use the label, but only if they can verify and document that the product meets those full US Origin standards. And while this isn't about food safety, Backus says it is about building trust. He calls it a marketing tool, one that helps connect consumers to where their food comes from and adds integrity to the label. Because today, shoppers aren't just buying beef, they're buying a story behind it.

[A]

And coming up this weekend on the

[B]

Ranch it up radio show, with the

[A]

spring sales season here, we have an

[B]

update on the Gulf Coast Classic from Superior Livestock and and data management has never been easier thanks to software like CattleMax.

[A]

And that is your ranch it up.

[B]

Heard it here weekly recruitment.