2007 CCC Archive
Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
January 25, 2007
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.
Thousands Heading to Nashville: Record attendance is expected at the 2007 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Nashville next week. The convention runs January 31-February 3, 2007, and is the cattle industry’s largest meeting of the year. NCBA has a huge agenda of policy meetings, committee meetings, caucus meetings, speakers, issue forums, and educational sessions.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns will address all attendees at Friday morning’s General Session, and Bruce Knight, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, will be among the presenters at the Animal ID Issue Forum on Thursday morning. Country Superstar John Michael Montgomery will be entertaining guests at NCBA’s Political Action Committee VIP reception! For a full agenda, go to www.beefusa.org.
Events-at-a-Glance at Convention 2007:
-Wednesday, January 31: Cattlemen's College® Programs, NCBA Executive Committee Meeting, Opening General Session I, NCBA Trade Show Opens/Welcome Reception and NCBA-PAC Bull Auction.
-Thursday, February 1: Beef Industry Issues Forums, NCBA Officers Forum, NCBA Division Forums, NCBA Regional Caucus Meetings, NCBA Receptions/Dinners, State Affiliate/AIC Receptions/Dinners and National ESAP Winner Announced!
-Friday, February 2: NCBA Policy Subcommittee & Committee Meetings, Joint Committee Meetings, Opening General Session II, Resolutions Committee Meeting, NCBA-PAC/PEF Night at the Wildhorse Saloon with John Michael Montgomery!
-Saturday, February 3: NCBA Board of Directors Meeting, NCBA Annual Membership Meeting
Look for more convention coverage in upcoming issues of Cattlemen’s Capitol Concerns!
President Presses for Increased Ethanol Production: President Bush said America must diversify its energy supply and that ethanol production is one of many new technologies that will help address national security, economic security, and environmental concerns. In his State of the Union Address January 23, President Bush said “We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol using everything from wood chips to grasses, to agricultural wastes.” Use of ethanol fuels has tripled over the past five years.
USDA Announces Renewable Fuels Effort: In related news, USDA announced January 24 a plan to invest $1.6 billion in new funding for renewable energy. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns says the plan will focus on cellulosic energy research and production, as part of the Administration's 2007 farm bill proposals. This funding is aimed at supporting President Bush's goal of reducing gasoline usage by 20 percent in the next ten years. For more information, visit www.usda.gov.
Ethanol and Cattlemen: NCBA, along with a group of other ag industry organizations has asked Ag Secretary Mike Johanns to carefully study the impacts that ethanol production demands will have on livestock producers, the livestock sector and consumers. In a letter sent to Johanns January 18, the groups say, “Producers are currently facing serious pressure from increased demand for finite supplies of corn, its impacts on prices, and even the risk that they may be unable to obtain feed at any price during certain portions of the feed marketing year.” The analysis is intended to provide ag producers with a guide to help them make better informed business decisions. Currently, NCBA does not have specific policy regarding the support or opposition to wide-scale ethanol production, but this will be a key topic discussed at next week’s Annual Meeting.
Federal Appeals Court Rules Horse Processing Illegal in Texas: A decision in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans makes the processing of horses for human consumption illegal in Texas. The decision, issued January 19, overturns a lower court's ruling last year on a 1949 Texas law that banned horse slaughter for the purpose of selling the meat for food. Two of the nations’ three horse processors are located in Texas. Beltex Corp. of Fort Worth and Dallas Crown Inc. of Kaufman may face criminal charges if they don't shut down.
Horse Processing Bills Resurface in Congress: In related news, Congress has renewed its interest in legislation that will institute a federal ban on horse processing. Senator Mary L. Landrieu (D-La.) introduced S. 311, a bill that would amend the Horse Protection Act to prohibit the "shipping, transporting, moving, delivering, receiving, possessing, purchasing, selling, or donation of any horse or other equine to be slaughtered for human consumption." The legislation currently has 14 co-sponsors.
H.R. 503 was also reintroduced in the House. In the 109th Congress, the House approved H.R. 503 by a vote of 263-146 on September 8. This bill was opposed by more than 190 national and state organizations including the American Quarter Horse Association, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and NCBA. In addition, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns told the House Ag Committee, “USDA is opposed to H.R. 503 and all the amendments… In short, we believe that there is a significant probability that the enactment of this bill could result in a reduction in the humane treatment of horses.” NCBA is opposed to each of these bills and believes this issue is being debated based on emotion rather than on facts and science.
Congress Continues Push for Disaster Aid for Ag Producers: NCBA is actively monitoring action in Congress to get additional aid for cattle producers who suffered impacts from the recent winter storms.
- The Conrad bill, S. 284, the 2007 Emergency Farm Relief Act, currently has 14 cosponsors.
- The Allard bill, S. 165, reauthorizes the Livestock Compensation Program and would allow aid for producers who suffered livestock losses as a result of the recent blizzards in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico and Oklahoma. It has 4 cosponsors.
- The Musgrave bill, H.R. 185, is companion legislation to the Allard bill.
- The Lucas bill, H.R. 419, would provide money via the Livestock Compensation Program and Livestock Indemnity Program for livestock losses in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
United States Anxious to Resolve Beef Dispute with South Korea: NCBA continues to monitor and engage in discussions about the Korean beef trade issue. While Korea says they are accepting imports of U.S. boneless beef from animals 30 months of age and younger, three separate shipments have been rejected by Korea because they reportedly contained bone chips, and U.S. cattle and beef producers have halted shipments to Korea due to the unreliability of that market.
U.S. officials continue to insist that South Korea must resume trade in U.S. beef before the United States will agree to support a FTA. "These are separate discussions from the FTA," Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Wendy Cutler said last week, referring to so far unsuccessful efforts to get U.S. beef back onto the plates of South Korean consumers. "But as the United States has made clear from day one of these negotiations, in order for the FTA to happen we're going to need to see a full reopening of Korea's beef market," she said.
To take advantage of fast-track authority, FTA talks must be concluded by March, so negotiators are running out of time to resolve the beef trade dispute. As many as 35 Senators are pushing for resolution to the beef trade matter before agreeing to support the FTA.
NCBA Represents Cattlemen at Trade Meetings: NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud and Kansas cattleman Dana Hauck participated in meetings of the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) in Washington, D.C. this week. Created by Congress in 1974, the ATAC advises the Agriculture Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative on a wide variety of market access and technical sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues related to existing and future trade agreements. At this week’s meeting, the group discussed the Korean Free Trade Agreement negotiations, status of beef export markets and efforts to restart the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations.
WTO negotiations were abandoned in July 2006 due to the inability to resolve ag trade issues, but NCBA continues to insist that these multilateral negotiations are the best means toward increasing market access through tariff reduction. The United States put forth a bold agriculture proposal to cut both tariffs and trade-distorting domestic supports, and NCBA believes the proposal deserves more serious consideration by other WTO member countries.
WTO Talks to Resume? In related news, thousands of trade leaders have gathered in Davos, Switzerland this week for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, January 24-28. Recent media reports quote WTO officials saying meetings this week have been more positive and could lead to resumption of the WTO negotiations, but disagreements between key players on farm subsidies remain.
USDA Price Reporting Alterations Begin Next Week: USDA announced in October 2006 that it will begin accepting feeder cattle prices reported on a “delivered” basis with a freight adjustment for inclusion in Livestock and Grain Market News livestock reports. This change is due to take affect in official reports, upon which the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Feeder Cattle Index™ (Index) is calculated, starting January 29, 2007.
The reporting change comes in response to concerns expressed by NCBA members regarding the low volume of animals that were being used for calculation of the Index. USDA limitations on the types of cattle sales eligible for inclusion in its reports were identified as a major contributing factor to this situation. NCBA is hopeful that the alteration will enhance the transparency and effectiveness of the Index by allowing producers who receive feeder cattle on a ‘delivered’ basis to convert the price paid to a F.O.B. price by subtracting out the transport costs they incurred.
Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) Awards: NCBA is finalizing plans for its award reception honoring our 2006 ESAP regional winners at next week’s Cattle Industry Annual Convention & Trade Show. At this event on February 1, NCBA, Dow AgroSciences and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will proudly announce ESAP’s 2006 National Winner! Look for coverage of this exciting announcement on our website at www.beefusa.org and in upcoming issues of Cattlemen’s Capitol Concerns!
Seven regional winners and one national winner are honored each year as part of our Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitats while operating profitable cattle operations. ESAP was established in 1991 by NCBA and is made possible by the generous support of Dow AgroSciences, LLC, and USDA’s NRCS.
Now is the time to begin preparing your nomination forms for the 2007 awards! Final nomination forms are due on March 17, 2007. Any organization, group, or individual can submit a nomination on behalf of a U.S. cattle producer. Go to www.beefusa.org/esap or contact NCBA’s Washington, D.C. office to request the application at 202-347-0228.
NCBA at Ohio Youth Conference: NCBA Director of Legislative Affairs Stacey Katseanes will be a guest speaker at the Ohio Youth Conference’s “Leading the BEST” Conference in Columbus, Ohio, January 26-28. Coordinated by the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation, the two-day “Leading the BEST” Conference will focus on education and leadership development for participants between 11 and 21 years of age (Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions). The goal of this conference is to develop leadership skills, expand industry knowledge and provide mentoring opportunities for the youth of Ohio’s beef industry. Stacey will lead an Industry Issues discussion on Sunday. For more information, visit http://www.ohiocattle.org/leadershipconference.aspx.
NCBA to Debut Career Fair at 2007 Annual Convention & Tradeshow: NCBA is coordinating a first-ever career fair to take place at a Cattle Industry Convention & Tradeshow, Saturday, February 3, 9:00am-2:00pm. The city of Nashville hosts one of our largest cattle industry shows, creating an opportunity for the industry to develop recruiting partnerships, and we’re expecting a number of students and future business leaders to attend! Employers of all types with open positions are encouraged to participate! Whether you want to target a handful of college students or you want to conduct a nationwide search, the 2007 Career Fair will simplify your recruiting efforts and help you find and hire the right people—fast!
NCBA-PAC Convention Events: NCBA has planned a wide array of events at our upcoming Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Nashville. Show your support for NCBA-PAC/PEF, help us support political candidates that support cattlemen, and have fun in Nashville all at the same time!
NCBA-PAC/PEF Silent Auction
Wednesday, January 31 – Saturday, February 3
Trade Show Booth #2330
Support your PAC while bidding on a wide variety of unique items from all over the country. Past items have included tropical vacations, wild game hunts, handmade leather goods, and framed western prints. Whether you are looking for special gifts for friends and family or that perfect piece for your home, you are sure to find it at the NCBA-PAC/PEF Silent Auction. If you have an item that you would like to donate to the Silent Auction please contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.
Second Annual All Breed Bull Auction &
Cattlemen’s Auctioneer Championship Contest
Wednesday, January 31, 7:30-8:30pm
Trade Show Welcome Reception Booth #1270
Held in conjunction with the Trade Show Welcome Reception, the NCBA-PAC/PEF all-breed bull auction will feature bulls, semen and sale credits from some of the nation’s best breeders. Attendees will be provided with Pedigree, Ultra Sound data and E.P.D. Information (where applicable), for all lots. Proceeds from the auction will benefit NCBA-PAC/PEF. If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to the NCBA-PAC/PEF Bull Auction, please contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.
This year’s auction will also play host to the 1st Annual Cattlemen’s Auctioneer Championship Contest featuring some of the nation’s best auctioneering talent vying for the title of Champion Auctioneer! To nominate your favorite auctioneer please contact Clay Edwards at 303-850-3380 or cedwards@beef.org.
PAC/PEF Night at the Wildhorse Saloon with John Michael Montgomery!
Friday, February 2; 7:00pm-11:00pm
The Wildhorse Saloon – Downtown Nashville (transportation provided)
Sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health
On-site ticket Price: $85 per adult / $45 per child under the age of 12
Join us in the heart of Music City, just blocks from famous Music Row. The Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville’s #1 destination for dining and entertainment features a famous dance floor often seen live on Country Music Television, and award winning cuisine. Buses will provide transportation to and from all Convention hotels to downtown Nashville where we have reserved the entire club for the evening! Don’t forget to come hungry; the Wildhorse Saloon will serve a barbeque brisket buffet dinner with their award winning barbeque sauce that is guaranteed to make your taste buds break into a two step! After dinner, hit the dance floor with one of country music’s best loved artists, multi-platinum recording star John Michael Montgomery!
For more information on NCBA’s upcoming PAC events, contact Erin Vincent in NCBA’s Washington office at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.
NCBA to Launch National TV Show: Next month, NCBA is set to launch a national weekly television show on channel RFD-TV! The program, titled NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, will provide weekly news and features for cattle producers across the country. In preparation for the upcoming television debut, NCBA has already personally interviewed USDA Secretary Mike Johanns and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.).
Premiering across the nation on February 6, NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen is the TV program the cattle industry has been waiting for! The show will bring the latest cattle industry news, markets, and features on a weekly basis. Viewers will hear from leaders in every segment of the cattle and beef industries, plus top government officials and newsmakers on Capitol Hill. Make sure YOU tune into NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen, beginning in February, Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on RFD-TV. The show will be rebroadcast on Wednesdays at 4:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 10 a.m. All times are Eastern.
Media Contact:
Tanya Augustson Camarra or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228, tacamarra@beef.org or kbatra@beef.org.
This publication is funded by cattle producers and other industry supporters through their voluntary membership contributions to NCBA. To join the tens of thousands of cattle producers from across the U.S. in working to preserve our legacy, contact NCBA Member Services at 1-866-BEEF-USA or Membership@beef.org.