Beef Prices Will Rise Further Due to ICE Raids: Texas Ranchers

Cattle industry groups are warning that immigration enforcement operations across Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas are disrupting the beef supply chain, delaying shipments of thousands of cattle, and generating millions of dollars in losses and additional costs, even as the Department of Homeland Security told Newsweek that ICE is not conducting worksite operations in Kansas.

The Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Texas Cattle Feeders Association said in a joint statement on September 24 that they were “closely monitoring” reported ICE activity affecting agricultural communities in the three states, warning that the enforcement activity was disrupting the livestock industry.

The groups said thousands of fed cattle that had been scheduled for shipment to processors were delayed, resulting in “millions of dollars in lost revenue and additional costs.” They also reported workforce disruptions at feedyards, dairies, processors, feed and grain companies, transportation hubs and community services.