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).

CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE:  The U.S. Congress remains out on holiday recess.  The Senate is expected back in Washington D.C. on Monday, January 9 and the House is scheduled to return January 31.

2006 CATTLEMEN’S CONVENTION COUNTDOWN:  NCBA is busy preparing for the 2006 Cattle Industry Annual Convention & Trade Show, which will be held February 1-4, 2006 in Denver.  Thousands will be in attendance. Critical policy issues will be discussed throughout the Convention. Once again, NCBA will host informative General Sessions, Issues Forums, NCBA Officers Forums, Committee meetings, educational sessions, Regional Caucus meetings, state meetings, industry meetings, NCBA Board of Directors meetings, and much more. This is the time when NCBA producer-members meet to discuss our industry’s priority issues and determine policy for the coming year. 
See below* for more details on special events, deadlines, and opportunities for involvement at Convention.  See you in Denver!

TOMORROW IS LAST DAY FOR CONVENTION PRE-REGISTRATION! Advanced Registration for the annual Convention & Trade Show closes tomorrow, January 6. Be sure to get your registration in by Friday, January 6 to get the special discounted rate!  If you miss the deadline, you can still register on-site at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver starting Tuesday, January 31 at noon. Call the NCBA Convention Department for more information at (303) 694-0305, or visit our web site at www.BeefUSA.org/AnnualConvention.aspx.

DROUGHT IN CATTLE COUNTRY: Various cattle-abundant regions across the United States continue to suffer from severe drought conditions this week, causing grass fires and threatening homes and ranches. According to Texas Governor Rick Perry's office, since December more than 130 fires had consumed over 80,000 acres of land and destroyed hundreds of homes. Three Texans have lost their lives. The U.S. Drought Monitor, http://hill.beef.org/drought.asp has gauged Severe to Exceptional drought in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, Kentucky, Iowa, northern Louisiana, and more.

NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doud indicates that “as of now, many states outside of Texas are also being affected. If we look at the numbers, some of the largest cattle production regions of the United States are struggling through this drought.”

According to Cattle-Fax, as January 1, 2005 the total beef cow inventory in four of these top affected states is estimated to be: (1) 5,432,000 million beef cows in Texas; (2) 2,161,000 million in Missouri; (3) 2,055,000 in Oklahoma; and (4) 1,909,000 in  Nebraska. That’s 9,648,000 of the 33,055,000 estimated beef cows in the U.S. – which means that around 29 percent of total U.S. cattle population can be found in these four drought-affected states alone. NCBA will continue to urge Federal Disaster Assistance for these areas on Capitol Hill.

GRAY WOLF UPDATE:  U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne signed a Memorandum of Agreement today, January 5, transferring management of gray wolf populations to the state.  A notice is expected to appear in tomorrow’s Federal Register. 

The rule states that it will affect the nonessential experimental populations of the Western Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the gray wolf, “so that in States and on Tribal reservations with Service- approved wolf management plans, we can better address the concerns of affected landowners and the impacts of a biologically recovered wolf population.”  This is a huge step forward in wolf management for ranchers in this area of the country where wolf populations continue to threaten livestock.  The change will affect populations in Montana and Idaho, although the rule states “once Wyoming has an approved wolf management plan, we intend to propose removing the gray wolf in the Western DPS from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.”  Visit www.doi.gov for more information.

CATTLEMEN URGE CO-SPONSORS ON MANURE BILL:  As Congress returns to Washington for its spring session, NCBA continues urging support for a bill that would exempt manure from regulation as a Superfund material.  H.R. 4341 was introduced November 17 by Reps. Ralph Hall (R-Texas) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and currently has 41 co-sponsors.

For cattlemen, this issue could have a tremendous impact. If opponents of animal agriculture are successful in their efforts to bring manure under Superfund regulations, any cattle producer that spreads manure on a pasture or provides it for use as a fertilizer by someone else could be subject to EPA's Superfund laws, originally intended to address hazardous and toxic industrial chemical spills.

All livestock operators should contact their members of Congress and convey that livestock manure is NOT a Superfund material and cattle operations are NOT Superfund sites.  Urge your member of Congress to co-sponsor H.R. 4341 to exempt manure from Superfund Regulations!  To contact representatives directly, producers can visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa, customize the letter provided, and send this message directly to their Member of Congress.

HONG KONG TRADE:  USDA announced December 29 the resumption of U.S. beef exports to Hong Kong. NCBA has actively urged for this re-opening for two years and is relieved with the official resumption of beef trade with Hong Kong. The agreement will allow the United States to export boneless beef from cattle less than 30 months of age to Hong Kong under the Beef Export Verification Program, and follows Hong Kong's determination that U.S. control measures effectively ensure the safety of our beef.  In 2003, Hong Kong was the fifth largest market for U.S. beef products importing $90 million worth of beef and beef products from the United States.  More information is posted at http://www.usda.gov/2005/12/0564.xml.

U.S.-MOROCCO FREE TRADE AGREEMENT: A blast-from-the-past CCC report, the Moroccan government recently took the final steps needed to complete their domestic process for a January 1, 2006 implementation of the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA).  Over the past few years, NCBA member-producers across the country pushed for passage of this FTA, continually reiterating the cattle industry’s position during U.S.-Morocco trade negotiations through comments, testimony and meetings with trade officials. This FTA gives new opportunities to promote U.S. beef in Morocco, most importantly exporting high-quality U.S. beef to their extensive hotel and restaurant industry.

Without final implementation of the FTA, beef products entering Morocco face some of the highest tariffs in the world. The FTA was signed by President Bush in August 2004.  Until now, the U.S. government has been waiting on Morocco to ratify the agreement and NCBA is pleased to see the process moving forward. 

CENTRAL AMERICAN TRADE: Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Spokesman Stephen Norton gave an update on implementation progress of the U.S. Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), stating that the U.S. has been “working intensively with free trade agreement partners in Central America and the Dominican Republic in order to implement the CAFTA-DR.”  The United States will implement the agreement on a rolling basis as countries make sufficient progress to complete their commitments under the agreement.

Norton says “several countries are close to being ready to implement but none has completed all of their internal procedures.”  NCBA strongly supports immediate implementation of the CAFTA-DR – but only after these folks have implemented what they committed to in the agreement. The U.S. negotiators continue to work with CAFTA-DR partners but say the implementation process must not be rushed. U.S. cattle producers will benefit from a successful CAFTA-DR implementation and look forward to its finalization. 

ESAP NOMINATIONS:  Make your New Year’s Resolution one that will reward a well-deserving cattle operation with national recognition for a job well-done! Nominate them for the 16th annual Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). Now is the time to acknowledge that local family that constantly gives back to the land, preserving our natural resources for the next generation. Anyone interested in nominating a cattle producer or submitting an application can contact NCBA’s Washington D.C. office for a copy or download the application online at http://hill.beef.org/esap.

*CONVENTION HOUSING DEADLINE JANUARY 23:  The NCBA Housing Bureau will continue to accept Hotel Reservation Forms until January 23 (after that date, contact your desired hotel directly, and they will still honor our special Convention rates on a first-come first-served basis).  At print time, the Embassy Suites, Grand Hyatt Hotel, and the Comfort Inn have rooms available. For the latest availability and for a list of the hotels, check our web site at www.BeefUSA.org/AnnualConvention.aspx.

*NCBA CAREER FAIR AT CONVENTION: NCBA's Human Resources Department will host a Career Fair Booth at the 2006 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in the NCBA area of the Trade Show, Booth #2330.  The primary purpose of the Fair is to recruit for open positions at NCBA and in the cattle industry as a whole.  Convention attendees are encouraged to stop by the booth for career training tips and assistance in writing an effective cover letter and resume.  Industry groups, organizations, and producers are encouraged to contact NCBA with information about job openings so that the information can be included in trade show publications and listings.  The deadline to submit open positions to be included in the HR booth/Career Fair is Monday, January 23, 2006!  Please contact Erica Spiegle at espiegle@beef.org or 202-347-0228!

*DON’T MISS THE NCBA-PAC SILENT AUCTION!  The NCBA-PAC Silent Auction at the 2006 Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show will feature distinctive items from all over the country.  Whether you are looking for unique gifts for family and friends or something special for you or your home, you are sure to find it here!  This year’s auction will feature signed vintage Jerry Palen Prints, and much more!  All proceeds benefit NCBA-PAC/PEF.  Auction items may be sent to Washington, D.C. or dropped off at Convention headquarters, Convention Center rooms 709-711, with an attached donation form.  If you have any questions or would like to donate an item to the Silent Auction please contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org. 

*JOIN US FOR TEAM PENNING!: Also at the upcoming Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show in Denver this February, NCBA-PAC/PEF will host our first-ever team penning competition!  The evening event will be held on Friday, February 3rd beginning at 6:30pm.  It will include the team penning finals, and a delicious steak fry dinner followed by a barn dance with live entertainment by James Lann and Branded, a talented up and coming country band from Texas.  The event is sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health. Space is limited so don’t forget to order tickets when pre-registering for the 2006 Convention.  NCBA Members are also encouraged to ride in the team penning which begins at 8:00am on Friday February 3rd.  All skill levels are welcome!  If you are interested in riding please contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.

*BULL OFFERINGS KEEP MOOVING ALONG FOR NCBA-PAC/PEF AUCTION:  NCBA’s PAC/PEF is excited to host its first ever all-breed bull auction! Held in conjunction with the 2006 Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, the bull sale will take place during the “exclusive trade show hours” on Thursday, February 2 at 2:00pm in booth #2400.  Attendees will be provided a detailed sale catalogue including pedigree, ultrasound data, and EPD information for each lot (where applicable). Don’t miss your chance to bid on some of the best beef genetics and seed stock in the nation while supporting NCBA-PAC! 

Pre-sale bids will be accepted on all lots.  If you are interested in making a pre-sale bid or bidding by phone at the time of the auction, please contact Erin Vincent to make the appropriate arrangements at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.

Offerings to date include:

• Aristocrat Angus Ranch of Platteville, Colorado
• Coldwater Cattle Company of Holly Springs, Mississippi
• Colyer Herefords of Bruneau, Idaho
• Debter Hereford Farm of Horton, Alabama
• Ekker Hereford Ranch of Vernon, Utah
• Express Ranches of Yukon, Oklahoma
• Fink Beef Genetics of Manhattan, Kansas
• Gardiner Angus Ranch of Ashland Kansas
• Leachman Cattle of Colorado, Wellington, Colorado
• Lyons Ranch of Manhattan, Kansas
• Macedon Farms of Decatur, Alabama
• Marshall Cattle Company of Burlington, Colorado
• Mound Creek Ranch of Leona, Texas
• Southern Cattle Company of Marianna, Florida
• Thomas Angus Ranch of Baker City, Oregon
• Three Trees Ranch of Sharpsburg, Georgia
• Walden Farms of Brantley, Alabama
• Whitestone-Krebs of Gordon, Nebraska
• Windmill Angus Ranch of Haigler, Nebraska

To make a donation please contact Erin Vincent at 202-347-0228 or evincent@beef.org.  Donations of seedstock and sale credits will be accepted until Friday, January 13, 2006.

BSE SURVEILLANCE:  USDA’s Enhanced BSE Surveillance Program continues having already tested over half million high-risk animals for BSE since June 1, 2004.  As of today, the program has tested 573,599 targeted animals at highest risk for BSE and has found only one confirmed case, evidence that our firewalls are working and the prevalence of this disease in the U.S. is extremely low.  Testing 268,500 animals can detect BSE at a rate of 1 in 10 million adult cattle at a 99 percent confidence level.

Media Contact:
Tanya Augustson or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228; taugustson@beef.org or kbatra@beef.org