Economy Politics Wyoming

Wyoming Backs Ranchers in Fight Against Misleading “Product of USA” Beef Labels

Wyoming Backs Ranchers in Fight Against Misleading “Product of USA” Beef Labels
Illustration by Corey Lewis

Wyoming is saddling up with 10 other states to back American cattle ranchers in a fight over truth in beef labeling.

Governor Mark Gordon announced Thursday that Wyoming has joined a bipartisan coalition filing an amicus brief aimed at stopping manufacturers from slapping a “Product of USA” label on beef that’s actually sourced from overseas.

“Hardworking Wyoming ranchers produce and sell the highest quality beef,” Gordon said. “Consumers here and across the country should be confident they’re buying what the label says.”

The legal battle started when South Dakota ranchers sued in federal court after the USDA greenlit the misleading label for foreign beef. The ranchers won at the district court level, but the case is now headed to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In their brief, the states argue that even the USDA now admits the label violates federal requirements — and they want the court to order manufacturers to stop the practice for good.

Alongside Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas are all in the ring, fighting to protect both ranchers and consumers.

The original story by Ron Richter for Sheridan Media.

Joe Yans

Joe Yans is a 25-year-old journalist and interviewer based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. As a local news correspondent and an opinion section interviewer for Wyoming Star, Joe has covered a wide range of critical topics, including the Israel-Palestine war, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the 2024 U.S. presidential election, and the 2025 LA wildfires. Beyond reporting, Joe has conducted in-depth interviews with prominent scholars from top US and international universities, bringing expert perspectives to complex global and domestic issues.