Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns Archive
Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns
July 17, 2008
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.
Cattlemen urge consideration of CRP use: On Tuesday, July 17, NCBA, as a part of a larger coalition, filed an Amici Curia brief in support of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) release of 24 million acres of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ground for haying and grazing. Recent legal action taken by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to contest this release will cause severe economic harm to the many cattle producers who have made major capital investments to prepare this ground to feed their cattle.
In action earlier today, Judge John C. Coughenour, of the United States District Court Western District of Washington, ruled that the USDA and NWF will meet next Tuesday, July 22nd, and submit suggestions on modifying the preliminary injunction that was granted on June 27th. Judge Coughenour will then issue his ruling on the same day. Until his final ruling is released the Temporary Restraining Order remains in place and all current haying and grazing practices must cease.
“Reversing the USDA decision at this late date would be the last straw for many cattle producers who are already on the brink of going out of business,” said Andy Groseta, NCBA president and cattle producer from Arizona. “With a continuing drought, historic feed costs and skyrocketing hay prices, cattle producers need this land to be able to feed their cattle as well as continue their land stewardship. The relationship between cattle producers and conservation has never been stronger, yet in today’s economy we need to be able to both conserve and use the land. We ask that the court consider the impact that NWF’s actions have caused to America’s farmers and ranchers.”
Over 50 producers submitted declarations to NCBA to be used in the brief. Throughout these declarations, producers discussed the expenses they have incurred and losses they expect due to the NWF’s temporary restraining order. Cattle producers have already invested over $800,000 in equipment, water, leases and fencing according to the submitted declarations
The coalition filing the brief included: the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) in conjunction with Idaho Cattle Association, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Kansas Livestock Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, New Mexico Cattle Growers, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Washington Cattlemen’s Association, Washington Cattle Feeders Association, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).
House Energy and Commerce Committee approves ADUFA: On Wednesday, July 16th, the full House and Energy Committee marked up both the Animal Drug User Fee Amendments of 2008 (ADUFA) and the Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2008 (AGDUFA). These bills will allow for the continuation of both ADUFA and AGDUFA, as they are set to sunset as of September, 2008.
NCBA was monitoring this hearing for the possible inclusion of language prohibiting the use of antibiotics in animal feed. NCBA is pleased that the final bill that was voted out by the committee, did not contain this language.
Both ADUFA and AGDUFA are important to the animal agriculture industry as they help get needed medical provisions to cattle producers.
NCBA will continue to watch this legislation as it moves to the House floor.
Senate appropriates FY09 Agriculture funds: Earlier today the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up the FY2009 Agriculture Appropriations bill. This bill will appropriate $20.435 billion dollars to agriculture and agriculture related programs during the 2009 fiscal year. Programs important to cattle producers include: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Grain Inspectors, Packers and Stockyards Association (GIPSA), and Agriculture Marketing Services (AMS).
Cattle producers set industry priorities: During this week, cattle producers are debating, discussing and deciding the future priorities of the cattle industry. The 2008 Cattle Industry Summer Conference is currently taking place in Denver, CO. Meeting officially kicked off this morning with an opening general session followed by a policy forum. During the policy forum, producers heard from Cal Dooley and Dan Basse about renewable fuels and the impact they are having on the cattle industry.
Tomorrow, NCBA’s policy committees will meet to review proposed policy changes and set the agenda for the coming year. The convention wraps up on Saturday with the board meeting.
Don't Miss the Award-Winning NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen: On this week’s edition, airing July 15th through July 20th, we hear straight from the experts at Dow AgroSciences about brush and weed control. Experts address important topics ranging from pasture improvement to treatment options and also offer tips for success.
On next week’s episode, airing July 22-27, experts from Fort Dodge Animal Health address the topics of parasite control and resistance. The experts will offer specific tips on how to best handle these issues on your operation.
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.