Latest News From Ag Policy

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council along with 34 state affiliates and stakeholders sent a letter to 11 democrat members of the Senate encouraging Congress to act in a bi-partisan manner to withdraw the EPA and Army Corps’ of Engineers’ “waters of the United States” rule. 

California just passed a bill to sharply limit the use of antibiotics in farm animals, making it the first state to ban the routine use of the drugs in animal agriculture.

Registration and housing for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show has opened. 

With less than three months before the guidelines are expected to be finalized, the House Agriculture Committee today held a public hearing to continue their oversight of the development of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association appreciates the efforts of the Senate in reauthorizing Mandatory Livestock Price Reporting through 2020. 

On Sept. 1, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas overturned the Administration’s listing of the Lesser Prairie Chicken under the Endangered Species Act.

It will be a less profitable year for farmers as low grain, milk and hog prices cut into income, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials say.

USDA’s mid-year cattle count provides evidence ranchers are building herds at a rapid pace.

Over 600 cattlemen and women gathered in Denver, Colo., this past week to discuss the policy priorities for the cattle industry for the upcoming year.

More than 600 cattle producers gathered for the Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver this past week to help set direction for industry programs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Illinois-based Aspen Foods is recalling nearly 2 million pounds of raw, frozen chicken products over concerns they might be contaminated with salmonella.

Ruling from USDA APHIS risks the welfare of America’s cattle herd in exchange for political legacy.

Forrest Roberts has announced his resignation as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), effective July 31.

A cattle rancher has been working with NRCS to make his land in Kansas more resilient while restoring habitat for lesser prairie-chicken.

The Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act of 2015, passed with a vote of 300-131.

Yesterday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association participated in the White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship in Washington D.C.

Richard Gebhart, a fourth generation cattlemen from Claremore, Okla., and an Oklahoma and national beef industry leader, died May 30 after a short illness. He was 58.

Eminent domain could pose problems for beef producers in central Texas where a high speed railroad is being proposed.

The first steps to repealing America’s country of origin labeling (COOL) laws were taken Wednesday as the House Agriculture Committee voted 38-6 in favor of a bill that would eliminate labeling requirements for beef, pork and chicken.

The U.S. has lost its final appeal with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over country of origin labeling (COOL) laws for meat products. Monday’s ruling, the fourth with the same decision from the WTO, opens the gate for Canada and Mexico to initiate trade sanctions against the U.S.

The government will soon require labels on packages of beef tenderized by machines so shoppers know to cook it thoroughly.

Pork and beef exports could be negatively impacted as it relates to an impending country-of-origin labeling ruling.

New labels and cooking instructions will give consumers information they need to safely enjoy these products.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body will soon rule on Canada and Mexico’s case against the U.S. on the mandatory Country of Origin Label (COOL) requirement on muscle cuts of beef and pork.

Over the past few years, ranchers have had little hope of being fully compensated for the impact of reintroducing wolves into Oregon. HB3514, a bill that is currently awaiting a hearing from the revenue committee, could help change that.

The House voted 240 to 179 today for full repeal of the death tax, a tax that is threatening the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers across the country

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that an agreement has been reached with the two countries that will allow greater access of U.S. beef and pork products to the region.

A bill aimed at helping Missouri's dairy and cattle farmers is once again heading to Gov. Jay Nixon's desk.

Trade hampered as U.S. cattlemen wait for WTO appeal ruling

LIP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather.

Colombian beef producers remain shut out of the U.S. market at a time of record prices as the porous border with Venezuela compromises efforts to control cattle disease, according to Colombia’s cattle farmers federation.

The cattle herd on Jan. 1 in the U.S., the world’s largest beef producer, was 1.4 percent bigger than a year earlier at 89.8 million head, the first increase for that date in eight years, USDA data show.

On one hand, the Committee has endorsed the Mediterranean style diet, which has higher red meat levels than currently consumed in the U.S.; and on the other hand, they have left lean meat out of what they consider to be a healthy dietary pattern.

Expansion of the beef herd looks to continue while beef production will see a marginal slide.

The recommendations Thursday from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee also call for Americans to reduce meat consumption and to take sustainability into account when dining.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, grazing low numbers of cattle on cover crops does not compact the soil or cut down on the organic matter added, according to new ARS research.

Colorado ranks in the top five for cattle sales nationally.

Country of Origin Labeling remains an item of contention in the beef industry as the World Trade Organization and Congress have yet reach an agreement on the program.

AgWeb is known for its serious side, but we have a sense of humor too. Read some of your favorite commentators or discover some new ones on our Blogs page.

Keith Nantz of Maupin, Ore., has been awarded the Max Deets Leadership Award by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation for demonstrating outstanding leadership in the cattle industry.

Beef production is looking to increase from original projections, while exports are dropping off a bit.

The popular CattleFax Outlook Session today at the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show gave cattlemen and women reasons to be optimistic.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s 2014 Top Hand Club celebrated Friday the recruitment of 1,340 new NCBA members, all recruited by NCBA members over the past year.

During the Cattle Industry Convention, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Bob McCan and Sheriff T. Michael O’Connor from the National Sheriffs’ Association announced a partnership to work collaboratively on issues that impact both associations.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association today kicked off its latest Drive for D.C. RAM Truck Auction, sponsored by RAM.

Some Wyoming lawmakers are pushing to protect domestic sheep in the state from a possible federal effort to remove them from public lands.

For the first time in nine years, America’s cattle herd is increasing.

A new study shows that Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) has not adversely affected trade with Canada and Mexico.

As trade negotiators meet again this week, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association urges the renewal of Trade Promotion Authority.

A favorite staple of American diets — chicken breasts, legs and wings — could become safer to eat.