Beltway Beef

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus joins to share an update on the U.S. Treasury Department’s new interim final rule that protects small businesses, including farms and ranches, from excessive mandates under the Corporate Transparency Act. The interim rule is a sigh of relief for cattle producers who are no longer required to file invasive beneficial ownership information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Bacus explains how the Trump administration and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reeled in the Corporate Transparency Act and ensured it was focused on criminals and money launderers instead of law-abiding family farmers and ranchers. He also details NCBA’s engagement on this issue to protect cattle producers from government overreach.

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to share an update on the Trump Administration’s new focus on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). Hart explains how the Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) is currently accepting feedback on WOTUS with the goal of bringing regulations in line with the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision. Hart describes how NCBA has engaged on WOTUS through numerous presidential administrations and explains how cattle producers can engage directly with the EPA to shape a future WOTUS definition.

On this episode, two NCBA members join to share insights from their testimonies before Congress. Kansas Livestock Association President and cattle producer Troy Sander appeared before the House Agriculture Committee to talk about the cattle industry’s top policy priorities including passing the Farm Bill, reducing taxes, protecting the herd from New World screwworm, and protecting the Beef Checkoff. On the same day, Washington Cattlemen’s Association member and rancher Kent Clark testified before the House Natural Resources Committee on the risk that dangerous predator reintroduction has on cattle producers and rural communities. Sander and Clark share information about their personal backgrounds and their key message to policymakers.

On this episode, NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein shares an update on his testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Wehrbein explains what it was like to testify before Congress and highlights some of the key issues he focused on including the need for further tax relief, the importance of protecting the Beef Checkoff, and the need to protect the U.S. cattle herd from the New World screwworm.

On this episode, NCBA Associate Director of Government Affairs Kelsea Kemp joins to share an update on four tax bills that have been recently introduced in Congress. Together, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, the Small Business Growth Act, the Estate Tax Rate Reduction Act, and the ALIGN Act would protect several key tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and ensure cattle producers can keep more of their hard-earned money. Kemp shares the details of each bill and explains how they fit into NCBA’s significant push on tax policy this year.

On this episode, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover joins to share an update on new legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) to help resolve land boundary disputes between private landowners and the federal government. Especially in the West, old federal survey techniques have resulted in some variation between the legal boundaries based on modern technology and historic boundary markers between private land and federal lands. These administrative discrepancies should be easy to resolve, but some have resulted in a burdensome legal process for private landowners. Senator Rounds’ bill would create a mediation process to resolve these kinds of boundary disputes and support private landowners.

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus joins to provide an update on the preliminary injunction that has temporarily halted filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act and disaster tax legislation that recently passed the Senate. The Corporate Transparency Act has raised concerns for cattle producers due to complex filing requirements and high penalties. Bacus also discusses the passage of the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which was strongly supported by NCBA. The bill reduces taxes on disaster relief payments and helps cattle producers recover from challenging conditions.

On this episode, we are joined by NCBA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons for an update on the New World screwworm. A dangerous pest that is currently making its way through South America, the New World screwworm could cause devastating impacts to the cattle industry if it enters the United States. Dr. Simmons shares critical information about how to safeguard your operation plus she explains how NCBA is advocating for additional resources to combat the screwworm. For all the latest information, please visit www.ncba.org/NWS.

On this episode, we are joined by Registered Dietitian and NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Science Dr. Shalene McNeill for the latest on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Updated every five years, the Dietary Guidelines inform federal policies on everything from school lunches to chronic disease prevention. Unfortunately, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is recommending that Americans reduce their consumption of red meat—including beef—and replace it with beans, peas, and lentils. Dr. McNeill explains why this recommended swap is so out-of-touch with the average American’s wallet, tastes, and available options at the grocery store. Even worse, it can have unintended consequences for the health of Americans. NCBA is raising the alarm on this development with Congress and cattle producers are encouraged to share their perspective with policymakers by texting BEEF to 52886.

With major tax legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, expiring at the end of next year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is kicking off a major push on tax policy. On this episode, NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele joins to share his personal story on taxes and how a large tax bill almost ended his lifelong dream of ranching with his family. From that experience, Eisele explains why the fight for lower taxes is so important for NCBA and he delivers a powerful message about how policymakers should address agriculture’s unique tax needs and support the economic success of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.