Beltway Beef

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss what cattle producers should expect now that the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. rule has taken effect in 48 states. Hart highlights some of the most concerning provisions of the rule and explains how NCBA is continuing to fight against the rule in Congress and in court.

On this episode, we are joined by Cattlemen to Cattlemen Host Kevin Ochsner and Executive Producer Kate Maher to discuss the special National Ag Day episode of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen TV show. Ochsner and Maher share updates from their recent travels where they visited 77 Ranch, JA Ranch, Bezner Beef, XIT Feeders, and The Meat Board in Texas. Together, these producers, feeders, and retailers represent the full cattle and beef supply chain. As a cattle producer, Ochsner shares what National Ag Day means to him and Maher explains the value of watching NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen. This special episode will air on RFD-TV on March 21, 2023, at 8:30 PM Eastern. For more information about the show, visit www.cattlementocattlemen.org.

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus joins to discuss Brazil’s history of failing to report cases of BSE, commonly referred to as Mad Cow Disease, in a timely manner. Due to Brazil’s lack of transparency, NCBA is calling for a suspension of Brazilian beef imports until it is determined that Brazil meets the United States’ high animal health standards. Bacus also provides some information on the importance of the World Organization for Animal Health and the value of collaborating to prevent the spread of foreign animal diseases.

On this episode, Iowa cattle producer Bill Couser joins to discuss his work on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee. The committee was established in 2007 to provide independent policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to agriculture and rural communities. Committee members include representatives from academia, the agricultural industry, non-governmental organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments. Couser represents the cattle industry on this committee and shared some details from his meeting in Washington.

On this special episode, NCBA Senior Director of Sustainability Dr. Samantha Werth and Associate Director of Sustainability Projects Grace Vehige join to discuss the Cattle Industry Convention’s focus on beef sustainability. Dr. Werth highlights some of the events that producers can attend at the convention, including visiting the sustainability booth on the tradeshow floor and hearing from fellow producers about conservation practices. Vehige discusses the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP), a prestigious award that recognizes the outstanding stewardship and conservation efforts of cattle producers. ESAP’s regional winners will be announced at the convention. Visit convention.ncba.org to learn more and register today!

On this special episode, NCBA Executive Director of Meetings and Events Kristin Torres joins to preview the unique events happening at the 125th Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow. The convention schedule is jam packed with once-in-a-lifetime events like a fireside chat with NCBA President Don Schiefelbein and Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan and a special concert with the band Midland and opener Neal McCoy. Plus, the convention serves as an opportunity for cattle producers to participate in NCBA’s grassroots policy process and discuss the issues facing the cattle industry. Register today at convention.ncba.org and get jazzed in New Orleans!

On this episode, NCBA Senior Executive Director of Governance and Leadership Development Barb Wilkinson joins to announce NCBA’s new policy committee leadership—grassroots cattle producers who serve as chairs and vice chairs of the association’s policy committees. Wilkinson explains the importance of these leadership roles and how individual cattle producers have a stake in crafting NCBA’s policy positions. Wilkinson also highlights ways to get more involved in the grassroots policy process and explains how an NCBA membership provides protection from harmful policies coming out of Washington, D.C.

On this episode, we explore the NCBA public policy internship program, which provides rising cattle industry leaders with the opportunity to learn about advocacy in Washington, D.C. NCBA Associate Director of Operations Justyn Tedder joins to discuss the internship application process and a current and former intern each provide some insight into their experience working in Washington.

On this episode, Associate Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Natural Resources Sigrid Johannes joins to discuss the Fish and Wildlife Service’s listing of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Johannes explains how voluntary conservation efforts by cattle producers have protected lesser prairie chicken habitat and how the bird enjoys habitat achieved through cattle grazing. She unpacks some of the highly restrictive language in the portion of the rule that applies to the northern states in the species’ range, and what NCBA is fighting to change. Finally, Johannes explains how the Fish and Wildlife Service should improve their process for ESA listings by following science-based guidelines.

On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to discuss the new White House National Security Memorandum to Strengthen the Security and Resilience of U.S. Food and Agriculture. This memorandum is a public acknowledgement that food security is national security. Woodall also shares details from his pre-briefing at the White House with senior defense, law enforcement, and national security officials on identifying and mitigating threats to agriculture. Woodall also highlights how NCBA’s strong relationships with policymakers in Washington, D.C. benefit cattle producers.

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart and Senior Director of Sustainability Dr. Samantha Werth join to discuss the science that confirms the cattle industry’s sustainability. Thanks to generations of continuous improvement, the cattle industry has substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions while more efficiently providing a nutritious protein and supporting the economy in rural communities. Hart explains how the cattle industry’s sustainable practices connect to advocacy in Washington, while Werth explains all the environmental, economic, and societal benefits of beef. Learn more about the cattle industry’s sustainability at ncba.org/sustainability.

On this episode, NCBA Vice President Ethan Lane joins to discuss the November election’s potential impact on the cattle industry. Lane highlights how anti-agriculture activists have made additional campaign contributions this cycle and he previews how the election might impact the makeup of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Finally, Lane explains NCBA’s role in educating new members of Congress on the needs of the cattle industry.

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins for an in-depth discussion on two major agricultural cases currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case Sackett v. EPA is considering the longstanding issue of “Waters of the United States” and the federal government’s proper jurisdiction in regulating bodies of water, while National Pork Producer’s Council v. Ross is considering the dormant commerce clause and its implications for livestock producers selling goods across state lines. NCBA has filed amicus briefs before the court in both cases to advocate for the unique needs of cattle producers.

On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to provide his perspective as an attendee at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Woodall also provides an update on key issues NCBA is focused on, including new Packers and Stockyards rules from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the “Waters of the U.S.” Supreme Court case of Sackett v. EPA, and the overreaching Securities and Exchange Commission climate disclosure rule. Finally, Woodall highlights some significant policy wins from the past year and explains NCBA's focus for this fall.

On this episode, NCBA member and Iowa cattle producer Shayne Wiese joins to discuss his experience utilizing voluntary conservation programs from the 2018 Farm Bill. As Congress is developing the next Farm Bill, Wiese provided essential insight on his experience accessing these programs for his own cattle operation and working with local U.S. Department of Agriculture staff. Wiese also highlighted how cattle can be a tool for conservation and environmental improvement. In addition to being a member of NCBA, Wiese is a member of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera provides an update on an important piece of transportation in the supply chain: trains. Rivera explains how rail lines provide essential feed and fuel to cattle operations and she highlights NCBA's new grassroots policy on issues impacting rail service.

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss the Livestock Regulatory Protection Act, a bill introduced in Congress by Senators John Thune, Kyrsten Sinema, John Boozman, and Mark Kelly, that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating the naturally occurring emissions from cattle operations. Hart also highlighted the continuous innovation that has led to the U.S. cattle and beef industry being the most sustainable in the world.

On this episode, NCBA’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons joins to discuss the Asian Longhorned Tick, an extremely aggressive tick that can cause stress and severe blood loss in cattle. The tick also can transmit diseases to cattle such as bovine Theileriosis, a disease that causes anemia, failure to grow (ill-thrift), persistent infection, reproductive problems, and in some cases, death. The tick is extremely mobile, reproduces quickly, and is smaller than a sesame seed, making it difficult to detect. NCBA is partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to host a virtual symposium on managing this tick and the diseases it carries. For more information on that event, please visit ncba.org.

On this episode, NCBA Environmental Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss NCBA’s fight against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s overreaching greenhouse gas disclosure rule. Hart details the origins of the rule and the harm it could cause to cattle producers. Hart also highlights NCBA’s grassroots campaign against the rule, which resulted in over 6,000 cattle producers sharing their perspective with the SEC, and key arguments from technical comments submitted to the agency by an NCBA-led coalition of agricultural groups.

On this episode, Associate Director of PLC and NCBA Natural Resources Sigrid Johannes joins to discuss the unforeseen consequences that Endangered Species Act (ESA) listings can have on ranchers. Johannes discusses how NCBA and PLC are working together to advocate for science-based, state-led management of species like the gray wolf and the northern long-eared bat. Johannes also talks about the need to fight back against the undue federal regulatory burden that threatens producers’ ability to actively manage our nation's natural resources.