Summer is going fast! We slow down on this episode to talk about the first six months of Rick Roberti's presidency. Rick shares about his experiences and issues discussed at CCA's Feeder Meeting in May and NCBA’s Summer Business meeting a few weeks ago in San Diego. He also provides an update on the gray wolf conflict and the concerns of New World screwworm getting closer to the U.S. Finally, hear why you need to be part of our Midyear Meeting and Cattle-PAC fundraiser happening August 14-15 in Paso Robles. Register, purchase tickets and get all the details at https://calcattlemen.org/cattlepac25.

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We are releasing this episode early, to give you more information about the One Big Beautiful Bill that passed out of the Senate yesterday (as of publishing this episode on July 2). 

In this update, hear from California rancher and past CCA president Kevin Kester about the positive tax provisions in this bill for ranchers and farmers. Last week, Kevin was invited to the White House for an event highlighting the tax relief the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will provide for ranching and farming families across the country for future generations. Hear about Kevin's experience and the importance of the tax relief in this bill, which includes reducing the Death Tax, as he spoke NCBA’s Senior Director of Policy Communications Hunter Ihrman on the Beltway Beef podcast.

On the second half of this episode, Kaitlynn Glover, the Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Natural Resources, joins Katie to discuss failed proposals in the bill to dispose of any public lands. Finally, hear what how the bill includes reimbursing cattle producers for loss due to depredation by federally protected predators, such as gray wolves.

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CCA's Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur shares are the current legislative session so far. Hear about CCA's two sponsored bills and other bills the government affairs team is watching.

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On this episode we hear about the California Beef Council’s Pasture to Plate Beef Tour, which is an in-depth experience that immerses participants in the beef lifecycle production process and engages foodservice, retail, and nutrition professionals. CBC Director of Retail and Foodservice Marketing Christie Van Egmond and CBC Manager, of Producer Education and Engagement Makenzie Coveau explain the history of the tour and its success over the years. Grimmius Cattle Company’s Chief Operating Officer Austin Flores also shares why their ranch has participated as a stop in this tour for many years and the details the value he sees in this program. 

Episode Resources:

Connect with Christie about participating in future Pasture to Plate tours by clicking here.

Request to join the California Beef Farmers and Ranchers Facebook page to stay up to date with the California Beef Council.

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Early on Thursday morning, the One, Big Beautiful Bill progressed out of the House. Just hours later, Sorting Pen host Katie Roberti got to sit down with Ethan Lane, head of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's office in Washington, D.C, to discuss what's in the bill, NCBA's success on it, and what's ahead for this legislation. 

On this episode, Katie and Ethan also discuss New World Screwworm and the border, tariffs, and NCBA’s years of work to get beef into the United Kingdom.

Episode Resources:

• NCBA Priorities Approved in House Reconciliation Bill

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It is our 100th episode of Sorting Pen! To celebrate, we are launching our first episode in a new series on this podcast focused on “Sorting Through Stories with California Ranching Legends.” Starting with this interview, a couple of times a year, Sorting Pen host Katie Roberti will sit down with some of the great cattlemen and women in the West to hear their ranching stories, lessons, and more.

Our first legend is Mr. Ellington Peek. 

Ellington sat in his favorite seat in the stands outside the auction ring at Shasta Livestock Auction as Katie recorded a conversation full of stories about the auction yard, the beginning of the Western Video Market, and Ellington's life. Hear what Ellington loves about buying and selling cattle and much more on this can't miss episode. 

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On May 15, the California Fish and Game Wildlife Resources Committee will meet in Sacramento and consider changing a rule to restrict the ability to take any number of coyotes at any time. CCA's Vice President of Government Affairs Kirk Wilbur joins this episode to share how this conversation started back in January at a Fish and Game committee hearing, detail what has happened since that hearing, and outline why CCA needs you to be part of opposing any changes to how coyotes are managed in California at this meeting on May 15.

CCA will file detailed comments with the Committee prior to that hearing strongly opposing any change and will be on-hand at the meeting to defend ranchers’ ability to manage coyote populations. Additionally, CCA encourages members to appear virtually or in person on May 15 to convey to Commissioners the continued need for allowing coyotes to “be taken at any time of the year and in any number.”

Episode resources:

• To submit an opposition letter to the Fish and Game Commission, email it to [email protected] by Friday, May 2. Letters submitted by this deadline will be given to the Commissioners ahead of the committee meeting. If you miss this deadline, you can still send opposition letters up until May 12 to be given to Commissioners at the May 15th hearing.
  
  
• Look for more details in an upcoming edition of California Cattleman Weekly on how to attend or appear virtually at the May 15th meeting to voice your opposition. To call in to the meeting dial (877) 336-1831 and use the conference code number: 481000.

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Two board members from the Livestock Marketing Association join this Sorting Pen episode to share why they, LMA and their members are working hard to help create opportunities for their customers, ranchers and farmers, through their producer profitability initiative. 

Back on the show is LMA's Western Director Jake Parnell—who is also a California cattle producer and owner of Cattlemen’s Livestock Market in Galt.

Joe Goggins, vice president of LMA and owner of Public Auction Yards in Billings, Montana, is also a featured guest on this episode.

Learn more about this initiative for producer profitability and all LMA does at lmaweb.com/Policy/producer-profitability.

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In this episode, Steve Lambert, a rancher from Butte County, shares his journey and insights as one of CCA's Second Vice Presidents. Tune in to learn more about Steve’s dedication to serving agriculture at local, state, and national levels, and hear why he continues to stay involved in these organizations.

Katie and Steve also dive into the value of CCA, with a special focus on the important role seedstock producers play in the Association.

Listen until the end to discover how Steve went from resisting being on social media over a decade ago to Lambert Ranch Herefords now thriving on Instagram!

Episode Resources:

https://www.instagram.com/lambertranchherefords/

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Representing California’s 34 Assembly District, we visited Assemblymember Tom Lackey in his office. On this episode, he shares with us about issues that are top of mind right now for California legislators. We also talk about how Asm. Lackey has partnered with CCA throughout his time in office. Hear about the bill he is helping CCA run this year, and why he believes ranchers are important voices to have in Sacramento.
 

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