Straight Talk: Mike Deering

Straight Talk

with Mike Deering

This Land is My Land

“This land is your land, and this land is my land… This land was made for you and me.” These timeless lyrics penned by Woody Guthrie in 1940 mean something different to all of us. Some accuse the lyrics as being motivated by communism, but that is not what I hear. I hear freedom, the right to own property and turn otherwise unproductive land into food. I am also reminded of the Constitution and the Founding Fathers.

The framers of the Constitution undoubtedly treated private property as the corner-post of a free society. I believe one of the most important values of the Founding Fathers was their belief in the necessity of securing property rights. In fact, both federal and state courts were actively engaged in defending property rights from legislative abridgement until the New Deal era in the middle of the 20th century. It is saddening that we are still fighting against abridgment of those rights in Missouri.

This association is fighting against the pervasive invasion of private property rights in the state legislature. While I have personal issues with eminent domain in general, it was intended to be used as a last resort to provide critical needs to the general public. We are now in a situation where the eminent domain process is being used and abused by out-of-state big money in what appears to be an easy avenue to cheap land while providing little benefit to Missouri citizens. It is a way to avoid talking to landowners and negotiating a fair price for their land. It takes the choice away from landowners and tramples all over the vision of the Founding Fathers. That sounds a tad like communism, but I won’t go there quite yet. Much like the Constitution, this association’s grassroots policy book is rooted in the preservation of private property rights. I argue that the majority of our individual policies come back to this fundamental right. We must push back relentlessly on Invenergy’s so-called Grain Belt Express. The fix is in the hands of your elected leaders and is a priority of this association. We must pass Senate Bill 508 and House Bill 527, sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean and Rep. Mike Haffner respectively. This is truly our last chance to stop this land grab.

This fight is bigger than one transmission line project. Blindly allowing this project to continue will send the dangerous message to the rest of the country that our land is up for grabs for those looking to transform rural Missouri into a super-energy-highway for the East Coast. Even Illinois refused this project, but the massive dollars spent on lawyers and lobbyists is certainly working in their favor.

I refuse to believe this fight is not winnable. We need you to get loud. Actively call your legislators and attend Cowboys at the Capitol. This land is your land. This land is my land. Unfortunately, we have to fight like hell to keep it that way.

Executive Vice President

Kansas Cattleman and Veteran Jerry Bohn Becomes New NCBA President

Source: NCBA

DENVER (Feb. 4, 2021) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) today concluded its virtual Winter Business Meeting with the election of Jerry Bohn, a cattle producer from Wichita, Kansas as NCBA president.

Bohn, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, has been a part of the cattle industry his entire life. Bohn has had an expansive career in the cattle industry since his early days of custom grazing cattle with his family in Flint Hills, to his time on Kansas State University’s award-winning livestock judging team, and eventually serving 34 years as the manager of Pratt Feeders, a commercial cattle feeding operation in his home state of Kansas. He has also dedicated his time as a leader for several state-level associations, using his expertise and experiences to mentor the next generation of industry advocates.

“As I look forward to this year as NCBA president, I have immense pride for the cattle industry and our dues-paying members that help to make this the leading cattle organization representing U.S. producers,” said Bohn. “Becoming president is my greatest honor and opportunity to give back to the industry that made me who I am today and for that I am forever grateful.”

Bohn’s term as president along with a new officer team was approved by NCBA’s board of directors. Don Schiefelbein of Minnesota was named president-elect, Todd Wilkinson of South Dakota was elected vice president. Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele was elected chair of the NCBA Policy Division and Nebraska cattle producer Buck Wehrbein was elected policy vice chair. Clay Burtrum of Oklahoma and Brad Hastings of Texas were elected as chair and vice chair of the NCBA

Jerry Bohn, NCBA President.

Federation Division, respectively.

“I have heard quite a few producers in the past year say if you want to get something done in Washington, D.C. in agriculture, you better do it with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, or it is not going to get done. This is the greatest testament to the grassroots power of our members and state affiliates. It is why I am so proud to represent NCBA as President and it is the reason I get up every day, ready to fight for the American producer.”

NCBA Works to Improve Business Climate for Cattle Producers with 2021 Policy Priorities

WASHINGTON (Feb. 4, 2021) – Today, the executive committee of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) approved the organization’s top 2021 policy priorities with a continued focus on advocating for a business climate that increases opportunities for producer profitability.

“There is no doubt the past year has been difficult for cattle producers and it’s crucial that we work to implement sound policy and focus our attention on the legislative and regulatory areas that will give U.S. cattle producers the most added value,” said NCBA President Jerry Bohn. “I am looking forward to collaborating with volunteer leadership, state affiliates and stakeholders across the country to tackle the most pressing issues facing our industry.”

NCBA’s policy priorities for the coming year demonstrate several pressing issues facing farmers and ranchers, including: • Price discovery and transparency in cattle markets is a concern for NCBA members and is a priority for the organization along with ongoing COVID-19 recovery efforts. • NCBA will continue to ensure that all alternative plant-based or cell-grown protein products are labeled truthfully and their ingredients are fully represented. • NCBA is committed to protecting those in the cattle industry while strengthening the beef supply chain to meet the growing demand for U.S. beef. The removal of non-tariff barriers to increase worldwide markets for U.S. beef will also remain a priority for the organization. • NCBA remains committed to working closely with

Congress and the Biden Administration to emphasize the U.S. cattle industry is the global model for sustainable beef production and its commitment to environmental stewardship, along with engaging on the regulatory policies, including the Navigable

Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) and the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), that promote stability and continuity for cattle producers that face uncertainty every day.

“This framework of policy priorities is one of the most important documents approved each year. It provides direction to our staff guidance for meeting the needs of our members. The focus on improving the business climate for producers hits especially close to home for me, because I was born into the cattle business and I want to do my part, defending our industry and legacy – not just for the multi-generational producers but also newer producers that might only have a few calving seasons or sale barn trips under their belts.”

NCBA Delivers State of the Industry Address During Virtual Winter Reboot

WASHINGTON (Feb. 22, 2021) – Today, during the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) virtual Winter Reboot conference, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall and NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane discussed the state of the industry and priority issues in Washington, D.C. that could affect cattlemen and women.

Woodall and Lane discussed the availability of USDA programs to assist farmers and ranchers from the damage done by the frigid temperatures that were seen across the country last week, the impact COVID-19 has had on cattle markets, and the work NCBA has done to provide opportunities for increased profitability while ensuring a steady food supply chain.

They also shared the many wins that the NCBA policy team has had including, working to ensure the beef industry is eligible for pandemic relief programs including USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), two programs that farmers and ranchers across the country utilized during the market disruptions caused by COVID-19. They went on to discuss the outlook for the Biden administration and the 117th Congress. When talking about the priorities of the Biden administration, Lane shared that NCBA has a robust relationship with senior level leadership across various agencies and that those individuals are willing to listen to NCBA’s perspective.

“They really want to start these conversations at the ground level. They are making it clear that we have a seat at the table,” he said. “We can find some common ground and help them see the benefit of some of the things that have been propagated over the past couple years.”

When referencing the work that NCBA is doing to ensure the beef industry’s success Woodall said, “What we’re doing is what we do best and that is being the most effective advocate for cattlemen and women in Washington, D.C.”

The Virtual Winter Reboot, sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, is a two-day event that gives members the opportunity to hear an update on the work NCBA has been doing in D.C., participate in educational sessions with industry leaders, and interact virtually with other members.

MCA Executive Committee Welcomes New Members

The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Executive Committee recently elected Jeff Reed, Williamsville, to serve as Region 3 Vice President. Also new to the committee is appointee John Ridder, Marthasville, who will serve as At-Large Representative upon approval by the Board of Directors.

Reed, along with his wife and her family, operate Rolling Shoals Farm, a beef and row crop operation in Southeast Missouri. He is a former ag teacher, a Marine veteran and, most recently, a father. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Agricultural Education at the University of Missouri. He was selected by the Executive Committee after an interview process on February 11, 2021. He will serve a two-year term as Region 3 Vice President

Ridder and his family operate Falling Timber Farm in Warren County where they raise registered Angus and Hereford cattle, as well as row crops. In addition to the farm, he works as a sales representative for GENEX and VitaFerm, and is ranked nationally for his successes in the sales world. He was appointed by MCA President Patty Wood to serve a one-year term as At-Large Representative, which is up for approval by the Board of Directors on April 8, 2021.

MCA Kicks Off 2021 Cowboys at the Capitol

Despite harsh winter weather conditions, more than 10 Missouri Cattlemen’s Association members from the Executive Committee and Regions 1 and 2 made the trip to Jefferson City to participate in this year’s first Cowboys at the Capitol event on January 27. Advocating for property rights and cattle market transparency, attendees visited with legislators and asked for their support in sustaining the agricultural way of life. “This is one of the most important programs we host,” said MCA President Patty Wood, who is a cattle producer from Pettis County. “MCA members meet directly with elected leaders to discuss issues important to their family and the entire beef cattle sector.”

To learn more about Cowboys at the Capitol or find out when your region will be in Jefferson City, see page 39.