Wyoming joins amicus brief on labeling foreign-sourced beef

CHEYENNE (WNE) — Gov. Mark Gordon announced Thursday that Wyoming is part of a bipartisan coalition of 11 states that filed an amicus brief supporting cattle ranchers against manufacturers who are selling foreign-sourced beef products under a “Product of USA” label.

“Hardworking Wyoming ranchers produce and sell the highest-quality beef,” Gordon said in a news release. “Consumers in our state and around the country should be confident that they are purchasing accurately labeled beef products.”

South Dakota ranchers filed suit in South Dakota Federal District Court after the U.S. Department of Agriculture allowed the manufacturers to use the “Product of USA” label on its foreign-sourced beef products. The District Court ruled in favor of the ranchers. The case is on appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In their brief, the states point out that the Department of Agriculture now acknowledges that use of the label for foreign-sourced beef product conflicts with federal requirements, and they have asked the court to order the manufacturers to stop falsely labeling their beef as a “Product of USA.”

South Dakota, Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas are also participating in the amicus brief supporting American ranchers and consumers, the release said.

This story was published on August 15, 2025.