Cattle groups in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas say ICE sweeps in southwest Kansas sidelined thousands of fed cattle bound for slaughter and delayed beef shipments, warning retail prices could climb; ground beef averaged a record $6.92 per pound in August, BLS data show.
Federal agents swept through Dodge City, Garden City and Liberal earlier this week. The three towns anchor a region that produces about 22% of U.S. grain-fed beef, according to the Kansas Livestock Association and USDA. The Kansas Livestock Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and Texas Cattle Feeders Association reported workforce disruptions across feedyards, dairies, processors, feed and grain firms, and transportation hubs, warning effects would linger for days or weeks after raids end.
National Beef adjusted shifts at its Liberal plant and said it was providing DHS “legally appropriate cooperation.” Cattle groups urged lawful, transparent enforcement, due process and communication with employers and affected communities. Sens. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran called for ICE coordination with local law enforcement; Marshall said sheriffs lacked advance notice, while Moran said DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told him warrants target people charged with crimes. In August, the administration suspended tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of imported ground beef to lower prices; the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association criticized the move as harmful to domestic ranchers.
