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Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns Archive
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Contact:
Heather Vaughan,
202-347-0228, or hvaughan@beef.org.
The Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns (CCC) is a weekly report from Washington, D.C., giving an up-to-date summary of top policy initiatives concerning the cattle industry; direct from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). Please feel free to reprint in full or in part. If you would like to include NCBA's logo, contact us at 303-694-0305. | |
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Forrest Roberts Named Next NCBA CEO
NCBA recently announced Forrest L. Roberts will be its next chief executive officer. Roberts, 42, will start January 20, 2009.
"We are thrilled Forrest will be joining us as CEO of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. We are certain Forrest brings the right experience, vision and optimism to lead the nation's oldest, largest and most respected cattle organization," said Andy Groseta, rancher from Cottonwood, Ariz., and NCBA president.
Roberts grew up on a family-owned, diversified livestock operation in Uvalde, Texas. He worked side-by-side with his family when the operation expanded to include a retail meat market for "locally grown, corn-fed" beef and pork. Forrest went on to earn a Bachelors of Science in Animal Science from Texas A&M University and a Masters of Business Administration from University of North Carolina.
Roberts has held several marketing and sales positions in two animal health companies. He started with Upjohn Animal Health in 1992, and he remained with the company through its two mergers to Pharmacia Animal Health and later Pfizer Animal Health. In 2004, he left Pfizer to join Elanco Animal Health where he most recently served as the Marketing Manager for Elanco's Beef Business Unit.
The search for NCBA's next CEO was competitive, attracting more than 70 applicants. A 12-member producer committee reviewed the applicants, interviewed several candidates and selected two among the 70 for NCBA's officers to consider.
"Forrest's agriculture background, business experience and his passion for the industry clearly made him the candidate we wanted to lead our association into the future. Forrest is a goal-oriented and dynamic leader, who will take NCBA to the next level to better serve the cattlemen of this country. We fully expect him to meet the challenges of our industry head-on with innovative solutions that will help producers succeed in the global marketplace," said Groseta.
In addition to his agriculture and beef business experience, Roberts has served in several volunteer positions in NCBA. He has been a member of NCBA's Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Allied Industry Council, Long-Range Planning Committee and the National Cattlemen's Foundation Board of Trustees.
"My roots, my education, my passion, my career - they're all linked to the cattle industry. I can think of no greater honor than to be CEO of NCBA. I look forward to working with NCBA's staff, members, leaders, state and industry partners to ensure the future strength and sustainability of the U.S. cattle industry," said Roberts.
Terry Stokes stepped down as NCBA's CEO in September, after serving in the role for nearly seven years. Stokes has stayed on in the role during the search and will work with Roberts through the end of January to ensure a seamless transition. Both men will be present at the 2009 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Phoenix, Ariz. Jan. 28-31.
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Legislative Agenda for the 111th Congress
Senate Democrats this week introduced their top-10 priority bills for the 111th Congress. NCBA will work closely with Congress on any legislation affecting the interests of our members. The top-10 priority bills, as reported by Senate Leadership, are:
S1 -- the economic stimulus package;
S2 -- tax reform aimed at the middle class;
S3 -- legislation to place a moratorium on home foreclosures;
S4 -- comprehensive health care reform;
S5 -- promotion of "green" investments and updating of infrastructure;
S6 -- new direction for US foreign policy in Afghanistan and Iraq;
S7 -- education reform;
S8 -- review of Bush administration regulations, especially those approved in the waning days of the administration;
S9 -- immigration reform and border security;
S10 -- raising the permissible federal budget deficit and national debt.
NCBA is paying particular attention to legislation aimed at tax reform, and is advocating for the elimination of the Death Tax and the reduction of the Alternative Minimum Tax and Capital Gains Tax.
As the new Congress gears up, the NCBA government affairs team is busy making Hill visits, stressing our top priorities for 2009. In addition to pushing for tax reform NCBA will work with Congress to expand U.S. beef markets, specifically through the passage of key FTAs with Korea, Panama, and Colombia. NCBA will also encourage Congress to end government intervention in the market for feedstocks, implement the Clean Water Act CAFO rule, and ensure that any environmental regulations affecting the cattle industry are fair and appropriate. In addition, enhancing food safety and nutrition and the development of the 2010 dietary guidelines will remain among NCBA's top priorities.
Having recently joined the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR), NCBA is also actively engaged in the issue of immigration. Both the House and Senate have indicated immigration reform will be a top priority in the new Congress, and we will closely follow any upcoming legislation to ensure it reflects the interests of our members.
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Confirmation Hearing Scheduled for Top Agriculture Post
Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, President-elect Obama's nominee as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, will appear before the Senate Agriculture Committee in a confirmation hearing on January 14th. |
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Additional Port Added for Importation of Cattle from Mexico
On January 2, 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a final rule adding an additional port through which cattle from Mexico infested with fever ticks or exposed to fever ticks or tick-borne diseases may be imported into the United States. Once constructed, the new port in San Luis, AZ will be fully equipped with the facilities necessary for the proper inspection, handling, and testing required for these cattle.
APHIS is also removing provisions that limited the admission of cattle to Texas that have been infested with fever ticks. These changes will make an additional port of entry available and relieve restrictions on the movement of imported Mexican cattle within the United States.
NCBA recognizes the need for an additional port to import certain cattle from Mexico, which will significantly reduce the distances over which imported cattle must be hauled, which in turn decreases stress on the cattle and reduces transportation costs. In comments submitted to APHIS in support of the rule, NCBA stressed that certain provisions must be met in order to adequately protect U.S. herds from disease. These conditions include the continued prohibition of movement of these cattle into tick quarantine zones in Texas and full implementation and funding of the National Strategic Plan for the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program for 2006-2011. |
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Don't Miss NCBA's Award-Winning Cattlemen to Cattlemen!
Update: DirecTV is realigning its Channel Line ups and is working to associate channels in groups that have a common appeal. This is something DirecTV does periodically as they increase channels and make arrangements for technological changes. It will not affect our viewer's access to programming other than to change the channel location.
RFD-TV has relocated to Channel 345. Channel 379 will also remain for a minimum of 2 weeks with messages to viewers about the change.
Don't miss NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen! On the show airing from January 6th through January 11th, we sit down with experts from Land O'Lakes Purina Feed to talk about feed options that help manage costs while keeping your herd healthy.
Then, from January 13th through January 18th, we'll talk to expert analysts from CattleFax to discuss important industry issues ranging from increasing production costs, to international trade to the future for U.S. livestock producers.
NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV provides weekly news and features for cattle producers across the country. It airs every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time, with repeat episodes on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at midnight (all times Eastern).
The program's sponsors include Purina Mills, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Dow AgroSciences, Bayer Animal Health and McDonald's.
For more information or to check out past episodes, visit www.cattlementocattlemen.org. |
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2009 Cattle Industry Convention
Registration and housing for the 2009 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show is now closed. Anyone who has not yet registered may do so onsite in Phoenix. For more information on the convention, visit our website at www.beefusa.org | |
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NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF ASSOCIATION
1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 300
Washington, D.C. 20004 | |
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