USDA Opens Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers Program, $500 million Available to Strengthen Independent and Regional U.S. Beef Slaughter Facilities

(Washington, D.C., Aug. 7, 2026) – Today, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce announced applications for the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) program that will provide temporary support for eligible beef slaughter facilities will be emailed to eligible establishments next week. The SPUR program provides up to $500 million in payments to eligible establishments to support stronger and more stable market opportunities for American ranchers. Beginning, Aug. 10, 2026, USDA will email partially prefilled applications to eligible beef slaughter facilities. Completed applications must be returned to USDA by Sept. 11, 2026. 

"America's ranchers deserve a strong, competitive marketplace that rewards their hard work and preserves opportunity for generations to come," said Under Secretary Richard Fordyce. "By opening the SPUR program application process and streamlining it to help ensure expedited payments, USDA is delivering timely, much-needed support to small and mid-sized beef slaughter facilities while strengthening domestically owned processing capacity. This is another important step in our Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry by expanding market opportunities for ranchers, building a more competitive and resilient beef supply chain, supporting rural communities, and ensuring American families continue to have access to safe, high-quality American beef." 

The SPUR program is authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and will be administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) at the national office level. 

SPUR Eligibility 

USDA is using Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) data to determine eligible establishments and payment amounts. 

Eligible beef slaughter facilities must be: 

• Federally inspected or a participant in the Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program or the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program. 
• Operational at the time of SPUR application. 

University, state-owned entities, and the four largest beef slaughter facilities are ineligible to receive SPUR payments.