Cattlemen Plan for 2007 Farm Bill

At the 2006 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Reno, Nev., July 10-13, NCBA producer-members gathered at multiple venues to discuss and plan for the 2007 Farm Bill.  With the current 2002 Farm Bill set to expire Sept. 30, 2007, Congress is looking for stakeholders in the ag community to help establish priorities for the 2007 bill.

Through a series of meetings, NCBA’s state affiliate executives and NCBA staff began drafting a framework document in fall 2005.  Under this “Guiding Principles” document, NCBA’s priorities are to:

1.  Achieve a reduction in federal agriculture program spending and the deficit;

2.  Minimize direct federal involvement in agriculture;

3.  Preserve the right of individual choice in the management of land, water and other resources;

4.  Provide an opportunity to compete in foreign markets; and

5.  Oppose farm policy which favors one producer or commodity over another.

In Reno, cattle producers examined the framework document in greater detail, paying specific attention to needs within each of the Farm Bill’s 10 titles.  In a special policy division forum focused on Farm Bill discussions, then in the appropriate policy committee meetings, and finally at the NCBA Board of Directors meeting, NCBA members identified some common needs, especially in regard to disaster assistance, conservation programs and animal health issues.

Disaster Assistance

NCBA members agreed that producers need disaster assistance that is readily available.  Too often in the event of a natural disaster or amid drought conditions, producers have to wait months and sometimes years to get payments. Also, producers need disaster assistance programs that are tailored to help with specific needs.  A producer hurt by drought has different needs than a producer hurt by a hurricane, or a producer hit by wildfire or other hardships.

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

There is much concern among producers that the CRP is taking too much land out of production and is inflating land values, which hinders the next generation from buying land and entering the business.  Also, the CRP needs to be refined so it can better assist producers hurt by drought by opening up CRP acreage for haying and grazing.

Animal Health

Cattle producers remain concerned that there will not be enough veterinarians to serve the number of cattle producers in the country. NCBA will urge support for programs to help with vet education and to encourage large animal practice.

Foreign Animal Disease

Cattlemen expressed concern that USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is not doing enough under the Department of Homeland Security to keep our domestic herd safe from foreign animal disease and pests. NCBA will work to ensure adequate funding for disease monitoring, research and eradication efforts, and urge that APHIS and the Department of Homeland Security devote more resources to this critical area.

Through these discussions, NCBA members worked to consensus and pass a guiding principles document as interim policy at Summer Conference.  NCBA members now have time to evaluate the policy and offer any final changes and any more program-specific recommendations at discussions at the Cattle Industry Annual Convention next February in Nashville, Tenn.  After that, NCBA will have a firm position directly from its members to carry forth into the 2007 Farm Bill debate.