Beltway Beef

On this episode, we are joined by members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association including their CEO Bryan Whaley and Shelby Cornelius, a young producer and participant in the Iowa Cattlemen’s Leadership Program. Whaley explains the history and purpose of this leadership program, which includes the opportunity for producers to advocate for the cattle industry in Washington, D.C. Cornelius discusses his experience in Washington and the importance of sharing your story with D.C. policymakers.

On this episode, we are joined by cattle producer and NCBA Live Cattle Marketing Committee Chair Troy Sander. Sander discusses his trip to Washington, D.C. to brief policymakers on cattle marketing and business issues. He shares his perspective on unique innovation and quality improvements in the cattle industry, and the future for greater beef demand. Sander also explains the importance of having an open dialogue with Congressional leaders and the value of NCBA in representing cattle producers on Capitol Hill.

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus provides information on protein shortages at the Olympic games that are causing disruptions for athletes that need access to high-quality protein. Bacus explains how anti-agricultural policies impact access to foods like beef and shares how NCBA engagement—both with U.S. and European governments—is critical for protecting American consumers from similar shortages.

On this episode, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover joins to discuss the lawsuit filed against the Bureau of Land Management’s “Conservation and Landscape Health” rule by a coalition of agriculture and energy organizations. Glover explains cattle producers’ concerns with the rule and shares how it goes beyond Congressional authority while simultaneously undermining the principle of “multiple use” of our nation’s public lands.

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to recap the Supreme Court’s decision to end Chevron deference, a legal concept that granted federal agencies broad latitude to craft regulations without explicit direction from Congress. Over the last 40 years, Chevron has led to Congress ceding authority to federal agencies who institute an increasingly greater number of regulations, including rules that impact cattle producers. Hart provides analysis of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, explains how the decision will impact ongoing rulemakings, and describes how Congress’ role may change moving forward.

On this episode, NCBA Senior Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes joins to discuss the Department of Defense’s (DoD) plan to fund research on lab-grown protein. NCBA has voiced opposition to feeding our nation’s soldiers like lab rats with this untested product. Johannes highlights the work being done by Congressman Don Bacon, a retired Air Force General, to counter this DoD plan and explains how cattle producers can weigh in on this issue as well.

On this episode, NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele joins to discuss some of his recent travels to Australia and Mexico. At these meetings, Eisele worked to unite farmers and ranchers on some of the common threats facing cattle producers around the world like foreign animal diseases, lab-grown protein, and radical anti-agriculture activism. Eisele signed joint statements with his cattle industry counterparts from Australia, Canada, and Mexico to further this collaboration. Eisele also shared some information on a joint letter sent to the top trade officials in the United States, Mexico, and Canada calling for greater trade opportunities and robust oversight of disreputable trading partners.

On this episode, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson joins to provide an update on the Farm Bill. Chairman Thompson walks us through the contents of his Farm Bill and unveils its title, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act. He details some of the cattle health and disaster relief provisions in the next Farm Bill, explains congressional dynamics surrounding the legislation, and discusses the producer feedback that was critical to crafting this bill.

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera joins to provide an update on the House and Senate Agriculture Committees' newly released Farm Bill frameworks. These developments come as the House Agriculture Committee is planning to markup a Farm Bill later in May. Rivera reiterates the needs of America’s cattle producers in the next Farm Bill and details Congressman GT Thompson’s exceptional outreach to cattle producers. Rivera also shares information on new legislation introduced by Rep. Ronny Jackson and Sen. Ted Cruz to support cattle producers who lost livestock in the recent wildfires.

On this episode, we are joined by Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover to analyze the “Conservation and Landscape Health” rule recently finalized by the Bureau of Land Management. Glover explains why western ranchers have raised concerns about the rule and how it will impact public lands grazers. Glover also explains why all cattle producers should be paying attention to issues impacting western ranchers.

On this episode, we come to you from the NCBA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele joins to discuss the importance of this event and the message that cattle producers are delivering on Capitol Hill. Eisele also explains the importance of NCBA’s grassroots advocacy efforts and shares his perspective on support for the Beef Checkoff, the cattle industry’s Farm Bill priorities, and federal lands issues.

On this episode, we discuss NCBA’s involvement in the U.S. – E.U. Collaboration Platform on Agriculture and the first event with European agriculture officials held in the United States. Idaho rancher and NCBA Policy Division Chair Kim Brackett joins to share information on her participation in the Collaboration Platform on Agriculture as a panelist discussing the cattle industry’s commitment to sustainability and animal welfare. NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart served as a moderator at the U.S. – E.U. meeting and offers her perspective on the conversations occurring between American and European agriculture leaders. Finally, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus joins the conversation to explain the importance of these international meetings, NCBA’s work to promote the U.S. cattle industry overseas, and our relationship building with European agriculture officials.

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera joins to share updates on disaster relief programs that provide support to cattle producers following natural disasters. Rivera details NCBA’s Farm Bill priorities as Congress continues discussing possible legislation. She also explains NCBA’s support of new legislation to improve the Livestock Indemnity Program.

On this episode, Director of the Public Lands Council (PLC) and NCBA Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes joins to provide an update on several issues impacting Western ranchers. Johannes outlines the Bureau of Land Management’s push to update greater sage grouse management plans, details the Biden administration’s push to expand grizzly bear populations, and shares the latest on the delisting of major predator species. Johannes also explains why cattle producers in the other regions of the country should pay close attention to the policies impacting Western ranchers.

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to analyze the final greenhouse gas disclosure rule issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The initial rule could have subjected farmers and ranchers to extremely burdensome emissions reporting requirements, but thanks to NCBA advocacy, the final rule removed the most damaging provisions in a major win for producers. Hart explains how NCBA engaged with the SEC to educate policymakers on the unintended consequences of the rule. She also describes NCBA’s grassroots advocacy efforts, including over 7,000 producer comments sent to the SEC, that were critical for helping us win this fight.

On this episode, we meet NCBA’s new policy division officers including Policy Division Chair Kim Brackett from Idaho and Policy Division Vice Chair Skye Krebs from Oregon. Brackett and Krebs discuss their involvement in the cattle industry, including leadership in state affiliate organizations and national partners like the Public Lands Council. The officers also discuss the policy priorities they are most concerned about including reauthorization of the Farm Bill and pushing back on radical animal rights activists. As public lands ranchers, Brackett and Krebs also discuss some of the unique challenges that Western ranchers face.

On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to explain the NCBA grassroots policy process that was on display at CattleCon24 in Orlando. Woodall also discusses NCBA’s work pushing back on tax changes that could harm cattle producers. Finally, Woodall shares the value of joining NCBA and having representation in Washington, D.C.

On this episode, U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip joins to share his perspective on emerging markets for beef exports. Ambassador McKalip provides insights on the work his office does to help remove non-scientific trade barriers that inhibit American beef sales abroad and explains what he is looking forward to at CattleCon24.

On this episode, we are joined by NCBA Policy Division Chair Gene Copenhaver, a Virginia cattle producer. Copenhaver provides insight into his recent meeting with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, shares information on NCBA’s major policy wins from 2023 and priorities for 2024, and explains the value of NCBA’s producer-led grassroots policy process. Copenhaver also previews CattleCon24 in Orlando and highlights some of the policy meetings, trade show exhibits, and special events that CattleCon attendees can expect to see. Finally, Copenhaver discusses several priorities for the next Farm Bill.

On this episode, U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency (USDA-RMA) Administrator Marcia Bunger joins to discuss RMA’s Livestock Roadshow. The Livestock Roadshow is a series of workshops happening across the country that are designed to educate producers on the various risk management products available to them. Topics for RMA’s Livestock Roadshow sessions include Annual Forage, Dairy Revenue Protection, Livestock Gross Margin, Livestock Risk Protection, Pasture, Rangeland and Forage, and Weaned Calf Risk Protection. Virtual and in-person sessions will occur starting this month and continuing into March. For the full schedule, please visit rma.usda.gov.