Brownfield» 2010 Cattle Industry Convention

NCBA members adopt new policies

Ken Anderson — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:23:15 +0000

Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) have approved a number of resolutions to guide the association’s policy efforts in Washington, DC. The resolutions were passed Saturday afternoon during the membership meeting at the culmination of the annual Cattle Industry Summer Conference.

(The following is taken from a news release distributed by NCBA.)

“One of the pressing issues facing our members right now is the out-of-control situation at the U.S.-Mexico border,” said NCBA President Steve Foglesong. “The lack of border security has and continues to pose a serious threat, not only to those living and working along the border, but to the entire nation, in terms of personal safety, health, economic welfare and the environment.”

NCBA members resolved to support an 18-point “Restore Our Border” plan developed by the Arizona Cattle Growers’ Association. The plan includes securing the border along the international boundary; adding sufficient personnel to secure the border; providing the personnel with all the modern technology and resources necessary to enforce security at the international boundary; and enhancing civil and governmental communications to provide full coverage throughout the border region.

A second resolution calls for full authority for federal agencies and state and local authorities to secure the border, including the suspension of all pending legislation and funding for federal-land designations along the border. Federally-owned lands along the border with certain designations such as “wilderness areas” provide unfettered access for illegal cross-border activities by restricting the motorized access of federal agents responsible for patrolling the land.

In the area of animal health, members resolved that NCBA continue leading the discussions on any animal disease traceability program(s) requiring animal identification. Specifically, the resolution maintains that any federal or state animal identification program should allow low-cost tagging devices paid for by federal or state funds, if possible; ensure confidentiality of producers’ private information; operate at the speed of commerce; allow for herd movement between states; provide producers protection from liability after cattle have left their control; collect data for the sole purpose of disease surveillance, control, and eradication; allow for flexibility in the use of currently established and evolving official identification methods for cattle moving across state lines only; and not replace or impede existing state brand-inspection activities.

“The resolutions we’ve passed today are a critical step in guiding our policy priorities in Washington, DC,” Foglesong continued. “I’m proud to be a member, and leader, of NCBA, an association that works day- in and day-out to maintain a favorable business climate for beef producers to thrive and grow.”

More than 800 cattlemen and women attended this year’s conference in Denver. Conference blog

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Federation directors seek ‘more independence’

Ken Anderson — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:21:31 +0000

Directors of the Federation of State Beef Councils have sent a message to their leadership—they want to continue their close relationship with NCBA, but also want the Federation to be “more independent.”

In a “straw poll” vote on Friday, the Federation directors overwhelmingly passed (59-3) a resolution that reads as follows:

“…the Federation should operate in a more independent structure while maintaining the synergies and efficiencies of the current relationship with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association—and strongly opposes the recent actions of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board Executive Committee, including the separation recommendation.”

The directors then passed a separate “straw poll” resolution calling on the chairman and vice-chairman of the Federation to form a committee to develop recommendations on how to build “a more independent structure” for the Federation. Both suggestions will be considered by Federation directors at their business meeting on Saturday.

In a Saturday morning interview, we asked Scott George, chair of the Federation of State Beef Councils, for his thoughts on the what has transpired at the conference so far.

AUDIO: Scott George (6 min MP3)

GIPSA proposal concerns seedstock producer

Ken Anderson — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:40:14 +0000

North Platte, Nebraska seedstock producer Bill Rishel has put pencil to paper on the proposed GIPSA rule on marketing contracts—and he doesn’t like what he sees. Rishel figures, if enacted, the rule would have a very negative financial impact on both him and his customers.

AUDIO: Bill Rishel (5 min MP3)

Beef exports are a bright spot

Ken Anderson — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:32:06 +0000

Somewhat lost in the all of the discussions about the beef checkoff is the fact that cattlemen are having one their best summers in some time. Prices are at profitable levels and ample rainfall across much of the U.S. has been great for pastures. Another bright spot has been beef exports. We discussed that topic with the new sr. vice president of marketing and communications for the U.S. Meat Export Federation, Dan Halstrom.

AUDIO: Dan Halstrom (4 min MP3)

NCBA watching Congress, FDA on antibiotics

Ken Anderson — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:12:39 +0000

It doesn’t appear that legislation in Congress to limit antibiotics use is going anywhere in 2010. But NCBA chief veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Parker says proponents of the measure aren’t going away. And Parker says she is just as concerned with recent moves by the FDA to get more involved in the antibiotics issue. She tells Brownfield the impact of tougher restrictions on the cattle industry would be huge.

AUDIO: Dr. Elizabeth Parker (4 min MP3)