Agriculture Secretary Suggested Alternative Proteins

Brooke Rollins recommended consumers shift to other protein sources amid ongoing beef pricing concerns.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Agriculture

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a poultry crate and eggs, representing shifts in consumer protein choices. — Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recommended that consumers switch to chicken, pork, or eggs as the administration works to address ongoing high beef prices. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is it realistic for your household to swap beef for cheaper protein sources right now?

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently recommended that consumers switch to chicken, pork, salmon, or eggs to avoid high beef prices. Her comments came during an appearance on The Benny Show as the administration works to address fluctuations in meat costs.

Why it matters

The recommendation follows efforts by the Trump administration to lower consumer costs, including the removal of ground beef import tariffs in August 2026. Officials have attributed past price hikes to previous policies regarding cattle grazing lands.

Beef prices have declined 5 percent over the last six months, though they rose nearly 30 percent during the Biden administration. These figures highlight the administration's focus on managing meat affordability.

The players

Brooke Rollins

Brooke Rollins serves as the United States Secretary of Agriculture.

United States Cattlemen's Association

The United States Cattlemen's Association is a national trade organization representing cattle producers.

The details

Secretary Rollins urged the public to consider protein alternatives while promising that higher-quality, cheaper beef will become available in the future. The strategy coincides with the administration's decision to lift tariffs on ground beef imports, a move that has faced criticism from the United States Cattlemen's Association over domestic quality standards.

In August 2026, the Trump administration lifted tariffs on imported ground beef.
On September 21, 2026, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins discussed beef prices on The Benny Show.

Market Landscape

This guidance follows the 2026 ground beef import tariff repeal, representing a shift in how the government intervenes in consumer food markets. The administration's focus on international imports to lower costs marks a departure from traditional domestic-first agricultural policy protections.

Consumers may find different pricing for protein sources at the grocery store due to policy shifts regarding beef imports. Budget-conscious households might see increased availability of lower-cost meat options as the administration pursues its current market strategy.

The takeaway

Secretary Rollins suggests that diversifying protein choices can help households navigate current market price fluctuations. Consumers can monitor beef versus alternative protein costs to optimize their monthly grocery spending.