Beltway Beef

On this episode, Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus and Nebraska rancher Jaclyn Wilson, chair of NCBA’s International Trade Committee, join to discuss NCBA’s concerns with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to permit beef imports from Paraguay into the United States. NCBA has repeatedly raised concerns with Paraguayan beef imports because of the country’s history with devastating Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). Bacus explains the background on this issue and Wilson shares her perspective on why preventing an outbreak of FMD is so important.

On this episode, Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes joins to provide updates on the Biden administration’s misguided plan to introduce grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem in Washington state. This plan would be disastrous for rural communities since these grizzlies are twenty-times more dangerous than black bears and pose a direct threat to rural residents, farmers, and ranchers.

On this episode, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane shares insights on how Speaker Mike Johnson’s election will impact the cattle industry. Lane recaps NCBA’s experience working with Speaker Johnson, describes his political philosophy, and explains how the speaker election will impact legislation important to agriculture like the Farm Bill.

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus takes us inside the World Meat Congress to learn about the pressing issues facing livestock and meat producers across the world. Bacus shares news about NCBA’s new leadership role within the International Meat Secretariat and he recounts some experiences from the conference that show us why it is so important to advocate for cattle producers here in the United States.

On this episode, California rancher and past NCBA President Kevin Kester joins to share his insights on the Farm Bill, the value of the Beef Checkoff, and other major policy issues being discussed in Washington. Kester also provides updates from his ranch, including his operation’s diversification in growing wine grapes. Finally, Kester discusses his family’s involvement in the Honor Flight program that brings veterans to Washington, D.C. for a tour of honor. Kevin and his wife June have been involved in numerous Honor Flights, including one that brought some beef industry leaders who served in our nation’s Armed Forces out to D.C. Tune in!

It’s been a busy few days in Washington! Congress rejected an amendment attacking the Beef Checkoff after thousands of cattle producers spoke up against the legislation and a government shutdown was averted after a last-minute deal was reached to pass a continuing resolution. For more on these developments, NCBA Senior Director of Government Affairs Tanner Beymer joins Beltway Beef to discuss Rep. Victoria Spartz’s anti-checkoff amendment, the latest on the agricultural appropriations bill, and the future for government funding legislation in Congress.

As climate discussions in New York City wrap up, NCBA’s Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins Beltway Beef to provide an update on the cattle industry’s sustainability. Hart analyzes some key sustainability metrics that show the industry’s continued improvement, and she explains how raising cattle provides essential ecosystem services, like maintaining greenspace, healthy soil, and healthy grasses. Hart also provides information on why beef is a sustainable choice for consumers.

On this episode, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane provides an update on Senator Mike Lee’s attempt to add the anti-checkoff OFF Act to the Senate agriculture appropriations bill. Lane explains how the OFF Act would harm America’s cattle producers, reveals who is funding activist groups that are pushing for this legislation, and shares how cattle producers can voice their concerns to policymakers in Washington. To get involved, text CHECKOFF to 52886.

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s revised Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that is intended to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case Sackett v. EPA. NCBA was involved in the Sackett case by filing a brief with the Supreme Court that highlighted the Clean Water Act’s impact on cattle producers. Hart explains some of the provisions in the revised rule and shares background on NCBA’s work fighting for clear, limited WOTUS rules.

On this episode, we hear from NCBA Policy Division Vice Chair and Indiana cattle producer Tim Schwab on the issues facing cattle producers in the Midwest. Schwab discusses his support for the Beef Checkoff program, provides some insight into his experience with NCBA and the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, and shares some ways his operation is sustainable.

On this episode, NCBA President Todd Wilkinson joins to provide an update on the hot topics being discussed at NCBA’s Summer Business Meeting. Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer, also shares his thoughts on emerging cell-cultured meat technology, overregulation coming from Washington, D.C., animal disease traceability, and the importance of being involved in NCBA.

This week, the powerful House Ways and Means Committee held a field hearing in Kimball, Minnesota at Schiefelbein Farms, an angus seedstock operation owned by NCBA Past President Don Schiefelbein and his family. On this episode, Schiefelbein joins to discuss his testimony at the hearing and explain what the cattle industry needs in the next Farm Bill. Schiefelbein also shares some stories from his foreign travels that underscore the importance of trade and the strong global demand for high-quality American beef.

On this episode, Nebraska rancher Barb Cooksley joins to share her perspective on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), the Farm Bill, sustainability, and other top issues in the cattle industry. Cooksley also details her operation’s recovery from wildfire and the conservation practices she employs to steward the resources on her land. Cooksley is a leader in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Nebraska Cattlemen, and she currently serves as Vice Chair of NCBA’s Property Rights and Environmental Management Committee.

On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to provide his perspective on NCBA’s recent policy wins. Woodall highlights the Supreme Court’s recent decision on Waters of the U.S., the cattle industry’s Farm Bill priorities, and the federal government’s recognition that food security is national security. Woodall also explains how NCBA is responding to new proposed regulations on public lands ranchers and animal rights activists’ attacks on the Beef Checkoff program. Additionally, Woodall emphasizes the value of NCBA membership and how to join.

On this episode, Nevada Director of Agriculture J.J. Goicoechea joins to discuss his concerns with the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed “conservation” rule that would open the door to removing livestock grazing from our nation’s public lands. A fourth-generation cattle producer operating on both his family’s private land and public land, Goicoechea explains how the proposed rule runs counter to the BLM’s mission of fostering multiple use on public lands. Goicoechea also recently testified before Congress on the proposed rule, and he shares additional insight on the State of Nevada’s and industry’s concerns with the proposed rule. Finally, Goicoechea explains some of the benefits that public lands ranching provides to the environment.

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in the case Sackett v. EPA, which delivered a critical win to the cattle industry on the issue of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The decision strikes down the significant nexus test that the federal government used to determine what features should be regulated as a WOTUS, delivering more certainty for cattle producers making changes on their land. NCBA filed an amicus brief in the case and has the led the fight against WOTUS for decades.

Across Texas and Oklahoma, specially trained law enforcement officers protect the cattle industry and investigate crimes against farmers and ranchers. These Special Rangers of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) are part of a historic agency that has been compared to the famed Texas Rangers, Scotland Yard, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. On this episode from outside the beltway, we talk with Special Ranger Bo Fox to learn more about the day-to-day work of these law enforcement officers and the future of this agency. This Law Enforcement Appreciation Month, NCBA salutes all of the agricultural law enforcement officers protecting America’s farmers and ranchers.

On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to discuss the animal rights activist groups that are attacking the Beef Checkoff through the deceptively titled “Opportunities for Fairness in Farming” or OFF Act. Despite false claims from proponents of the OFF Act, the Beef Checkoff is strongly supported by cattle producers, is producer-led, and receives robust oversight from the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Woodall also explains how the checkoff supports producers’ livelihoods and strengthens the cattle industry as a whole.

On this episode, we are joined by NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus and Whitestone Farm Managing Partner and General Manager Mark Duffell for an update on a recent farm tour conducted for the British Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries the Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP. Bacus explains how farm tours for foreign officials are an important way to educate them on U.S. cattle production practices, our industry’s sustainability, and animal welfare programs like the Beef Quality Assurance program. Duffell provides background on Whitestone Farm’s operations and explains from a producer perspective why sharing our story with policymakers is important.

Over 300 cattle producers flew to Washington, D.C. to participate in NCBA’s Legislative Conference and meet with their Members of Congress. Producers shared stories from their farming and ranching operations and discussed the policy priorities that are important to the cattle industry. On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera provides an inside look at Legislative Conference and the importance of this event for informing our nation’s policymakers on the needs of the cattle industry.