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A T I CATTLEMEN C AT T O N A L
The trusted leader and definitive voice of the beef industry
The trusted leader and definitive voice of the beef industry
March 2019 • Vol. 35, No. 6 • NCBA.org
The trusted leader and definitive
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Th e tru THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF NCBA • 2018 THE OF ste d lea NCBA.org FICIAL de r an PUBLICA d de fin TION OF itiv e vo ice of the NCBA • 2019 be ef ind
voice of the beef industry
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NCBA.org
• NCBA.org April 2019 • Vol. 35, No. 7
Help Us Repeal and Replace Rule The 2015 WOTUS those who support the effort to fully
After years of uncertainty stemming repeal and replace the 2015 WOTUS the to from the disastrous 2015 Waters of rule. Each and every producer needs United States (WOTUS) rule, farmers step up to the plate and tell the federal and ranchers want clean water and clear government how they feel. We cannot rules. The Obama-era rule represented let the voices of radical activists drown an egregious example of federal out the voices of America’s cattlemen overreach. The rights of states and local and cattlewomen. land managers were sacrificed while One quick and easy way to to expanded jurisdiction Uncle Sam’s show your support for the Trump features. even the most trivial water submitting is by Trade The 2019 Cattle IndustryAdministration Convention and NCBA Show in New Orleans was a success. Take a look at some of the highlights. Legal challenges have continued to a public comment. Two federal U.S. tie up the 2015 WOTUS rule in the government agencies, the EPA and courts. Nonetheless, despite the Trump Army Corps of Engineers, are accepting Administration’s best efforts, the rule public comments on the issue until remains in place and is law of the land April 15, 2019. exempt are rest (the click on and states 20 in over Go to policy.ncba.org, Cattle producers regulatory burden on smaller operations and It is timehave grown ruling). 2015 WOTUS” By Ethan Lane, Senior Executive Director recreation by seeking to protect new due to a separate court Replace make and “Repeal accustomed to dealing with legal action it easier for FSA officials to approve Protection your recreation areas across the nation. of NCBA Federal Lands submit to tell the Environmental front page to and the reality on that from activist groups. Sadly, process loans. Producers were able is enough! You may remember Patagonia’s The 2019 Cattle Industry Convention Agency (EPA): Enough today. comment does not make new attacks any easier to get quicker access to the capital and dishonest conduct in the Bears Ears and NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans the text printthey Late last year, thetoTrump Producers stomach. The latest front was opened can also support needed. Red tape in the federal National Monument boundary fight provided a platform for western ranchers to replace the to: Administration moved and mail in December 2018, whenbelow a coalition of it in government was cut. Everybody won. last year. Patagonia drummed up to address emerging challenges in the and for all. Protection the environmentalist 2015 WOTUS rule once Unfortunately, environmentalists launched aU.S. new Environmental lawsuit support from urban public land lovers federal lands ranching industry and definition Office faulty a on Center, relying Docket of EPA Instead aimed squarely at feedlotsAgency, with between coalition did not see things in the same light. to oppose the Trump Administration pass policy to guide political action in narrows 28221T, rule1,000 newand Code Docket, Mail of a “WOTUS,” the500 head of cattle. The outcome In their recent court filing, they argued that of Water recommendations to reduce the Utah Washington, D.C. This year, NCBA’s to power NW, returns Avenue will have major implications forPennsylvania producers the FSA environmental review exemption for federal jurisdiction and 1200 monument’s 1.35 million-acre boundary. Federal Lands Committee passed policy where the Washington, DC 20460. thattheis country. across 500-1,000 head feedlots is illegal. The filing states. Producers know Bold, often over-stated claims about the to address an issue that may prove to modify The story began back in 2016, when are encouraged argues thatto feedlots are a significant cause Producers power belongs. be more challenging NCBA’s than the ominous top priority.”industry’s impact to local economies Regulating groups fit.land, air, andFormal activist they see to as pollution Agreement on the United States Department of Agriculture water, and the language of public coverage, touting presence of fringe environmental activists dominated Unfortunately, many or edit Delisting Rule Gray Wolf opposition Corps, (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) began transparency of feedlot Lab-Grown actions is nowFake Meat numbers ranging from $300 - $900 – the recreation and outdoor industry. and Armythat EPA continue to signal stiff Dear of the gray of not talking aboutThe re-exemption. The U.S. DepartmentI am In their billion, and unfairly slamming the exempting 500-1,000 headAsfeedlots due to the gatesrecovery left I respectfully producer,limited to any proposed changes. a cattlefrom is United States Food in the wolf and the the livestock industry for degrading the from public lands visitors, spooked environmental review The constant repetition Agriculture of misleading(USDA) open Protection remain with view, power shouldextensive that the Environmental quest processes. story. success (FDA) range. As a result, urban populations conservation be a livestock from gunshots, or scattered The change was designed to ease the claims about cattle production and the should and Administration – Engineers and Drug federal government Agency and Army Corps of in the became engaged in the debate and litter. These for are familiar inconveniences wolf populations environment maddening. But the a formal agreement Gray the 2015areWaters announced used to heavily regulate agricultural fully repeal and replace stable flooded the federal government with reached for the western livestock industry, but have importance of the lawsuit extends far beyond States United fake meat rule. regulating lab-grownthey producers. Since the new water rule of the United Statesa(WOTUS) comments in theopposition of the reduced rarely threaten thepopulation livelihood oflevels, an prompting debate about beef’s environmental impact. The formal products March 7, 2019. WOTUS rule with was announced, activist groups have boundaries. Replacing the 2015 In operation. That’s not the case today. fact, the lawsuit is part of a broader activist lead U.S Fish and Wildlife Service rule will restore agreement solidifies USDA’s enlisted thousands of supporters in I am talking about the new tone As we compare these groups to the new, proposed water strategy that uses federal environmental removing the species to proposeand production role in the spreading provide their cause. through advertisements the likes of the Center for Biological private landowner rights reviewsand to increase the costsoversight of doing endangered meatby the from the list fake In the face of fierce activist national media recreation and of to rural labeling of lab-grown and Diversity or the Western Watersheds, relief and business tie producers up in protracted significant regulatory as known the process with (a species responding outdoor industry. It sways in favor of opposition, they are becoming equally if not more products. legalsacrificing battles. proteccommunities, without radical its own use over others,“delisting”). accusing the Unfortunately, influential with lawmakers. Where they full force of our industry is the best Activists have learned how toUnder the terms of the tion of federal waterways. activists livestock community of irreversible differ seem is their intentions. The efforts by the way to ensure success. The Trump clarity agreement, USDA will be responsible environmental artfully exploit the federal government’s rule restores The new clean water cycle offall back to their bottom damage and an unwarranted endless industry on using an outdoor intentpresence. Administration needs to hear from environmental review processfor to inspecting achieve all facilities that federal proby clearly defining where It also places importance on the and procedural to to increase recreation to tricks line. They want or label lawsuits their ends. Environmental reviews are rife process, package, harvest, benefits of recreation to the American tections do and do not apply. It would simply increase sales, and they are using from stop the move. derivedwith with opportunities on products cell-cultured governments for legal challenges economy, no acknowledgement also give state and local Oregonand “grassroots” argument an economic March 12, 2019, both substance data, analysis) andor poultry.ofAll best to how (e.g., theproduct stewardship providedOn by western livestock more flexibility to determine to do it. testified Huffman process (e.g., timeline of the review). What is be subject USDA’s cattleman Rodger also rancherstoand landowners. labels will within their borders. manage the waters more, The right of the outdoor industry’s cattle industry opponents have every and verification U.S. House of Representatives toisthe Today, their message blanketing pre-approval rule, farmers and use of public lands With this new water on is not up for incentive to introduce as many challenges will be Resources subcommittee Washington and is in front of decisionNatural responsible have to process. FDA no longerSince debate. We arethe fighting to uphold ranchers like me will as possible. the federal government about makers on both sides ofWater, the aisle. In and Wildlife Oceans safety premarket the by conducting for the true concept navigate the uncertainty cannot created approve a producer’s request for thatof multiple use. This Congress, the outdoor recreation delisting. He explained gray wolfindustry and overseeing cell does not seek to prioritize action until the environmentalconsultations review is has engaged in legislation like theproducers concept 2015 WOTUS rule. across the country livestock and growth. one use over another. Instead, rule is activist groups collection WOTUSsettled, completely are keen Recreation Not Red Tape Act that was Right now, the 2015 the environment stewards of ranching serve as of thein the House Natural must be assured of our place the release while states, out debated Resources on22 dragging theregureview processUpon as long currently in effect in in conservation. Jennifer on public land as well. President just last year.and The allies Republicanagreement, NCBACommittee as possible. are in effect in the lations from the 1980s to Continued on page 4 Despite the efforts of some forward look supported legislation prioritized “we Continued on page 4 said new the Houston finalized, If remaining 28 states. in Congress to vilify livestock working collaboratively with the proposal would establish a consistent nasteps, producers, effective wildlife FDA on next USDA andMARKET the patchwork SNAPSHOT WEEK ENDING 2/22/2019 (prices vs. year ago) tional standard, replacing IN THIS ISSUE depends on including the development of a more conservation that has confused farmers, ranchers, and FED STEERSthe partnership SOUTH CENTRAL CHOICE OMAHA CASH concerning the LIVEstrengthening Leadership Comments 2 detailed framework 500-600 LB. STEERS CORN landowners. Despite being true stewards and agenciesBEEF government BOXED between Ensuring that all stage. and harvest cell farmers $124.74 $216.68 $3.68 $168.33 environment, and Governance 3 of the land ranchers. lab-grown fake meat products are with the uncertainty ranchers have lived on page 5 Continued3.9% Federation News far 8 safe and accurately 3.9% 4.5% labeled remains 5.7% caused by the 2015 WOTUS rule for
New Lawsuit Targeting USDA Highlights Activist Playbook
New Recreation Policy to Protect Federal Lands Ranchers
Public Policy Priorities Update
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DIRECTIONS
too long.
Market Matters
10
Leadership Comments 2 6 Federation News
SOUTH CENTRAL 500-600 LB. STEERS $170.27
Governance
10
.6%
Market Matters
12
$171.29
$208.47
$129.75
$176.25
MARKET SNAPSHOT WEEK ENDING
IN THIS ISSUE
2019 SP RI
NG DIR
ECTIO
NS
$3.48
3/29/2019 (prices vs. year ago) CHOICE BOXED BEEF $228.95
OMAHA CASH CORN $3.70
3.3%
2.1%
6.2%
$125.90
$224.18
$3.49
LIVE FED STEERS $130.00
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