Beltway Beef

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.

NCBA’s Environmental Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins the podcast to discuss the Security and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) greenhouse gas emissions reporting rule that would require publicly traded companies to disclose their Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (energy use), and Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions. As part of this rule, farmers and ranchers who sell to publicly traded companies would be responsible for collecting and reporting emissions to the company. While emissions calculation would likely be inaccurate at best, it would also place unreasonable and undue legal risk on individual producers. Each day, cattle producers make positive strides toward environmental stewardship, and this rule would create unnecessary red tape and legal liability that could threaten the viability of those family-owned businesses. Tune in to hear Hart discuss how NCBA is pushing back on this rule and how producers can share their opposition with decision makers in Washington, DC.

To join the grassroots campaign, visit policy.ncba.org.

On this episode, public policy intern Grace Vehige hosts Reba Mazak, American National Cattle Women (ANCW) president, to discuss the organization’s recent fly-in. ANCW, a close partner with NCBA, plays an important role in advocating on behalf of the cattle industry. Tune in to hear Reba's insight on topics of importance to their membership and why it is critical for cattle producers to make their voices heard in Washington, D.C.

On this episode, Senior Director of International Trade and Market Access Kent Bacus joins to discuss NCBA’s stance on trade, how we hold our trade partners to high safety standards, and why a trade deal between the U.S. and UK is a top priority.

This week, Tanner Beymer joins the podcast to discuss the cattle markets hearings that occurred in both the House and Senate Agriculture Committee this past week. Beymer shares that NCBA is focused on securing practical solutions – that have broad industry support – to increase market transparency and boost producer leverage in pricing negotiations.

NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover joins the podcast to give an update on the work being done to ensure clear and consistent environmental regulations for cattle producers. As the Biden administration undergoes processes to repeal and replace Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules, NCBA is working to ensure that these rules facilitate an environment where farmers and ranchers can continue critical on the ground progress, instead of impeding it.

Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane joins the podcast to give an update on the work being done by NCBA’s Government Affairs team. Lane discusses the latest legislative and regulatory proposals and encourages members to be engaged in the policy process through conversations with their elected officials.

Recently, NCBA President Don Schiefelbein joined Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane and Senior Director of International Trade & Market Access Kent Bacus in London to set the stage for a potential trade deal with the United Kingdom. Tune in to hear Schiefelbein discuss why free and fair trade deals are essential to increase carcass value and export more high-quality U.S. beef to countries around the world. Schiefelbein shares the team’s experience addressing misconceptions about the U.S. beef industry and building relationships with UK officials.

NCBA’s Environmental Counsel, Mary-Thomas Hart, joins the podcast to discuss why this year’s focus on conservation during National Ag Day is a significant moment for the U.S. agriculture industry, especially cattle farmers and ranchers. Through innovative voluntary conservation efforts, producers across the country are making decisions that have a direct impact on maintaining clean water, improving soil health, and mitigation of catastrophic wildfires. Hart shares why it is important for decision makers in Washington, D.C., to understand the commitment the U.S. cattle industry has to conservation, but why it is essential that producers have the ability to make individualized decisions that are best suited for the land that they are managing.