Beltway Beef

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.