Beltway Beef

NCBA President Jerry Bohn joins the podcast to discuss his year as president and how engagement from young farmers and ranchers will be critical for the success of the beef industry. In addition, Bohn — a veteran himself — reflects on the the sacrifice many have made to preserve freedom in our country and thanks all NCBA members who have served.

Director of Field Services Dusty Holley and First Vice President Pat Durden of Florida Cattlemen are back to discuss how unnecessary and burdensome Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations adversely affect farmers and ranchers across the U.S. On this episode, they discuss the significant investments farmers and ranchers make in conservation efforts and share how the most effective policies are made by those who understand the work that is happening on the ground.

On this episode, Florida Cattlemen Director of Field Services Dusty Holley and First Vice President Pat Durden discuss how Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations impact farmers and ranchers across the U.S. They explain why government overreach poses significant challenges for farmers and ranchers and share why it's important for lawmakers to understand how farmers and ranchers are already investing significant time and financial resources into the implementation of conservation practices.

This week, we are joined by Dr. Dave Daley, chair of NCBA's Federal Lands Committee. As a fifth-generation California rancher, Daley has firsthand experience regarding the impact of federal lands regulations on the cattle industry. Daley discusses the critical role ranchers play in wildfire mitigation and the conservation of millions of acres of land. He also explains how "well intended yet misguided" announcements made by the Biden administration will impact farmers and ranchers.

NCBA president and Kansas cattlemen Jerry Bohn joins the podcast to discuss the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021 introduced by Congressmen Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX). If enacted, this legislation would establish a cattle contract library under USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. NCBA has long advocated for greater transparency in cattle marketing and Bohn explains how this bill is a step in the right direction.

NCBA Vice President Todd Wilkinson joins the podcast after testifying at the House Agriculture Committee’s hearing on the current state of the livestock industry. Wilkinson’s comments centered around the top issues facing the U.S. cattle industry – transparency, processing capacity, price discovery, and oversight. Throughout the hearing, he explained why Congress must avoid one-size-fits-all policy solutions and how NCBA has been leading the charge to create a more viable business climate for producers through our grassroots policy process.

Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane joins the podcast to give an update on top issues facing members of Congress this week, including funding the federal government, the bipartisan infrastructure bill and continued discussion regarding the reconciliation bill. Lane also clarifies rumors about a potential methane tax and reminds listeners that NCBA is working to provide members with the most up-to-date and accurate information.

NCBA Vice President Todd Wilkinson and Senior Executive Director of Government Affairs Danielle Beck give an update on the reconciliation bill and how recent proposals to changes in the federal tax code could affect farmers and ranchers.

NCBA Environmental Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart discusses the EPA announcement to rescind Trump administration guidance interpreting the County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund Supreme Court decision. In this case, the Supreme Court found that the Clean Water Act may be applied to “indirect” discharges from point sources to Waters of the United States, including discharges through groundwater, if they are “functionally equivalent” to direct discharges. While Trump’s guidance created flexibility for most agricultural operations, Hart discusses why EPA’s announcement is concerning for the cattle industry and explains how NCBA will continue to advocate for the needs of farmers and ranchers moving forward.

Lane joins the podcast to give an update on D.C. issues, including BSE cases found in Brazil, continued conversations regarding changes to federal tax policy and the Biden administration's press conference regarding consolidation in the meatpacking sector.

Certified public accountant and principal with CliftonLarsonAllen, Paul Neiffer, joins the podcast to discuss the most recent proposals to long-standing provisions in the federal tax code. Tune in to hear Neiffer discuss how these proposals will affect the long-term viability of family-owned agricultural businesses.

Clint Berry, a fifth-generation cattlemen and representative for Superior Livestock, is no stranger to the livestock hauling industry. He joins the podcast to discuss FMCSA’s announcement of an extension of the hours-of-service(HOS)requirements exemption for livestock haulers. Current HOS rules allow for 11 hours of drive time, 14 hours of on-duty time and then require 10 consecutive hours of rest. When transporting livestock, there is a real need for further flexibility. Clint’s message is clear – hauling live cattle is different than hauling other commodities. Without flexibilities from HOS requirements, family farmers and ranchers are alienated from competitive markets. When you’re hauling live cattle, you cannot pull the truck over when you’ve hit your maximum number of hours. Additional flexibility for livestock haulers is critical for the health and safety of cattle as well as a resilient food supply chain.

South Dakota rancher and Vice President of NCBA, Todd Wilkinson joins the “Tax Talks” podcast to give his perspective on how changes to long-standing federal tax policy will affect the future generation of farmers and ranchers. Wilkinson offers a unique perspective as he has practiced law for over 35 years, specializing in estate tax planning and, with his son, owns a commercial cow-calf operation. He explains how the elimination of key tax provisions for family-owned businesses, such as stepped-up basis, is in direct conflict with the sustainability of agricultural operations. In addition, Wilkinson discusses why the proposed carve outs for ag won’t work for the industry.

Senior Executive Director of Government Affairs Danielle Beck and Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera give an update on the infrastructure bill. NCBA's goal throughout this process has been straight forward — get key policy priorities that benefit farmers and ranchers included in the bill, while ensuring that the budget isn't balanced on the backs of those same farmers and ranchers through changes to long-standing provisions in the federal tax code.

Reporting live from the Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, Ashley is joined by Florida cattleman and NCBA past President Marty Smith to discuss NCBA's sustainability goals. These goals solidify U.S. cattle ranchers’ commitment to environmental, economic and social sustainability. Smith served as chair of NCBA’s Sustainability Goals Task Force. As a cow-calf producer, he knows first-hand the positive story the cattle industry has to tell in regard to sustainability. NCBA’s goals include: •Demonstrate climate neutrality of U.S. cattle production by 2040. •Create and enhance opportunities that result in a quantifiable increase in producer profitability and economic sustainability by 2025. •Enhance trust in cattle producers as responsible stewards of their animals and resources by expanding educational opportunities in animal care and handling programs to further improve animal well-being. •Continuously improve our industry's workforce safe

Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane joins the podcast to discuss the policy work that will be done at NCBA’s upcoming convention. Through NCBA’s grassroots policy process, members will participate in policy committee meetings to decide the direction NCBA will take in key policy issues including sustainability, cattle marketing, trade and more.

NCBA is proud of the strong female leadership within our membership. On this episode of "Beltway Beef: Tax Talks," Margaret Ann Smith from Virginia, Janet Crow from Missouri, and June Kester From California discuss how stepped-up basis is a critical tool in generational transfer of family-owned farms and ranches. As decision makers in their businesses, they have first-hand experience in the burdensome, costly, and extensive process of transition planning. Certainty in the federal tax code is critical to ensure that the future generation can build on the good work of today's farmers and ranchers.

NCBA's Chief Environment Counsel, Scott Yager, joins the podcast to discuss the history of the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. Dating back to 1986, the definition of federal waters has been debated by the Supreme Court of the United States. Yager discusses the evolution of regulations that define a federal waterway and how those rules have impacted farms and ranches over the years. He also shares an update on the current Navigable Waters Protection Rule and what NCBA is doing to ensure farms and ranches can efficiently operate.

On this episode, Senior Executive Director of Government Affairs Danielle Beck is joined by Policy Division Chair and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele. As a husband, father, and rancher — Eisele understands the importance of federal tax policy that supports generational transfer of family-owned businesses. Beck and Eisele discuss the significance of the support that was shown for farmers and ranchers this week by Members of Congress through Senate floor speeches and a letter sent to President Biden signed by all 50 Senate Republicans.

Executive Director of Virginia Cattlemen’s Association Brandon Reeves discusses the importance of NCBA’s relationship with state affiliates. He shares how NCBA and Virginia Cattlemen’s work together to represent the needs of the cattle and beef industry in both D.C. and the state of Virginia. Tune in to learn more!