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.

Get Out the Vote in YOUR Area:  The 2006 mid-term Congressional election countdown continues... and suddenly it's just weeks away. This year could mean big changes in Congress, so if you’re undecided about candidates in your state, now is the time to research their background and voting record. The polls are continuing to show a possible rebalance in both houses of Congress. U.S. cattle producers should continue to urge friends, family and neighbors to get out and vote for the candidates that understand agriculture, support our livelihood, and will stand up for cattle producers in Washington D.C.

This year, we’ve made it especially easy for you to find out about the candidates in your state online. Just go to http://capwiz.com/beefusa and click on the “Election” section! If you have any questions about which candidates are best for the cattle industry, do not hesitate to contact our D.C. office at 202-347-0228. This November 7, 2006 - its time to rally the agricultural vote!

New FMD Survey Needs Your Input: Animal health researchers at the Center for Animal Disease Modeling and Surveillance (CADMS) in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis are developing a simulation model designed to characterize the size and duration of a possible foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) epidemic in the United States. In order to obtain the necessary information for the model, an online survey has been created for U.S. livestock producers. This research effort is supported by the U.S. departments of Homeland Security and Agriculture.

Dr. Tim Carpenter, co-director of CADMS says, “Knowing the precise locations of livestock and the movements of animals, vehicles and people on to and off the farm are critical in order to be able to predict where the disease will spread and the magnitude of the outbreak. The accuracy of this information is what limits the success at which the impact of various alternative control measures can be predicted.”

The model will also be used to identify the best strategies, including vaccination, to contain an outbreak and minimize the impact to the livestock industry. The 2001 FMD outbreak in the UK resulted in catastrophic economic losses exceeding $15 billion. The cost to livestock producers was estimated to be nearly one billion and at least six million animals were destroyed. Any outbreak of FMD in the United States today, where there is a high density of livestock animals, would be devastating.

NCBA encourages all producers to take a few minutes to fill out this simple survey, in the hopes of better preparing ourselves for a possible FMD outbreak.  CADMS guarantees that all the information will be kept confidential and will only be used for modeling purposes.

To participate in the online survey, please go to: www.cadms.ucdavis.edu.

USDA Price Reporting Alterations Moving Forward: Progress is already being seen following the announcement two weeks ago that USDA has agreed to begin accepting feeder cattle prices reported on a “delivered” basis with a freight adjustment for inclusion in Livestock and Grain Market News livestock reports.  USDA has indicated that these “delivered” basis transactions will begin to be included in official reports, upon which the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) Feeder Cattle Index™ (Index) is calculated, starting January 29, 2007.  Despite the fact that this reporting change will not officially be included in the Index until early 2007, the alteration is already demonstrating a positive effect, with approximately 5,000 additional transactions being reported to USDA field offices. With only 11,755 head being used to calculate the Index this week, that would equate to an increase of nearly 43 percent.  The success of this enhancement is entirely dependent upon active participation by cattlemen, and for that reason it is essential that producers continue to report their “delivered” basis transactions.

Furthermore, in continuing to strive for the most representative and effective Index possible, USDA, CME and industry participants are going to evaluate the impact of the “delivered” basis alteration on the volume of animals going into calculation of the Index before moving forward with the inclusion of 850 lb. animals in the 800-849 lb. category.  Additionally, producers are strongly encouraged to report their transactions across all weight categories, even those not currently included in calculation of the Index. Through increased producer participation and more complete reporting of data regarding the volume of trade occurring in particular weight ranges, we can ensure that the CME Feeder Cattle Index continues to be a valuable risk management tool for American cattle producers.

Colombian Trade: This week, NCBA submitted written testimony regarding the United States – Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement to the U.S. International Trade Commission. Cattle producers are in strong support of increasing market access opportunities, however numerous sanitary and phytosanitary issues (SPS), non-tariff barriers, high tariffs and, in some cases, egregious subsidies limit our ability to compete. At 80 percent, Colombia currently imposes one of the highest tariffs on imports of U.S. beef in the world.  This agreement reduces these tariffs for our products, and will immediately give U.S. beef producers the ability to compete against Argentinean and Brazilian beef on an equal footing.  NCBA expects that Colombia follow through with its commitment to allow the OIE standard to prevail and accept all U.S. beef and beef products.

Cattlemen Continue Pushing Superfund Bills Over Recess:  Continuing a long-standing effort, NCBA members are urging support for a pair of bills in Congress which will clarify that manure should not be regulated under Superfund laws.  Both houses of Congress adjourned September 29, but cattle producers are encouraged to continue stressing the importance of this legislation with U.S. Senators and Representatives back home or by contacting their offices.  In the Senate, S. 3681 currently has 35 co-sponsors.  In the House, H.R. 4341 currently has 189 co-sponsors! 

Visit http://capwiz.com/beefusa to see a full list of co-sponsors.  If your Senator or Representative has not yet signed on as a supporter, send a message to them asking them to sign on and communicate to them about the importance of this issue! 
 
EPA Administrator on Ag Dust “Tour”: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson was in Iowa this week for an on-farm tour to discuss dust regulations with Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. Grassley and local farmers urged it was impossible to meet new dust regulations on farming and ranching operations. 

The outdoor tour was set back by heavy rains, but during indoor meetings Johnson reportedly argued that no additional dust regulations will be placed on agriculture for at least the next five years, when the dust rule again comes up for review. Johnson assured producers that the EPA did not want to regulate ag dust, and claims the EPA will not push any enforcement of dust regulation lawsuits. NCBA members, along with Grassley, and other members of Congress, are deeply concerned about the potential consequences of misinterpreting the rules and ag operations being sued. 

Cattle producers continue to urge the EPA that all agriculture dust be exempt from this absurd regulation. Producers in NCBA's Air Working Group will have face-to-face meetings with EPA officials this November to discuss the specifics of the coarse PM rule and urge changes. In addition, NCBA continues to review the final rule and is considering a number of options to help producers deal with the impact.  The final rule is posted at www.epa.gov/air/particles/actions.html.

The Buzz About Cloning: On October 17, NCBA participated in a forum on biotech issues at the International Food Information Council. The event, titled "Animal Biotechnology: Communications Strategy Regarding Cloning Developments," was designed to serve as an opportunity for food and agriculture industry stakeholders to share information and enhance strategic cooperation regarding timely issues. Cloning is an assisted reproductive technology that allows livestock breeders and others to create identical twins of their best animals. This breeding technique does not change the genetic make-up of the animal.

On October 18, NCBA participated in a public symposium called "Animal Biotechnology: Considering Ethical Issues" at National Press Club, sponsored by the Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology and Michigan State University. The event provided an overview of the ethical implications of cloned or genetically engineered animals in agriculture and utilizing genetically engineered agricultural animals for biomedical or industrial purposes.

Media attention on the issue was hot this week, as the FDA’s anticipated risk assessment is expected to be announced before the end of the year. Cattle producers support the development of new technology that can further enhance the safety and quality of beef products. When the FDA releases the draft risk assessment, NCBA will review the information and send comments. For general information regarding cloning, please visit www.clonesafety.org.

NCBA Cattle Producer on National Ag Research Advisory Board: On October 17, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the appointment of 12 new members to serve on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board, which advises the secretary and universities on national priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education programs, extension outreach efforts and economic research programs.

The board is made up of 31 members, each of whom represents a specific category of U.S. agricultural stakeholders as outlined in the 1996 and 2002 farm bill.  Carol A. Keiser-Long, president of the C-BAR Cattle Co. Inc, was re-appointed as a Food and Animal Commodity representative.

"We appreciate the contributions that these individuals are making through this advisory board," Johanns said. "Their expertise and advice helps to ensure that USDA programs remain relevant to current agricultural issues and provide guidance on our many research and outreach activities."

Ag Outlook Conference:  NCBA’s Manager of International Markets Julie McWright was in Chicago this week for various meetings related to cattle marketing and trade.  On October 16, Julie attended a meeting and a tour at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Also Monday, USDA hosted a Data User’s Meeting, and more information on this meeting is posted at:  www.nass.usda.gov/About_Nass/Data_User's_Forum/index.asp. On Tuesday, participants at the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) Industry Outlook Conference presented production projections, price forecasts and discussed issues pertinent to the industry.

Five Nations Tour: Missouri cattle producer and NCBA President Mike John and NCBA Chief Economist Gregg Doug are in New Zealand and Australia for the Five Nations Beef Conference. Attending the conference are the cattle producer organizations from some of the world’s largest beef producing nations: Australia, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States. Leaders from the five nations are discussing key industry issues such as international trade reform, animal ID, food safety, and standardization and harmonization of animal health standards. NCBA is looking to leave the meeting this week with further agreement upon international food safety standards and a better understanding of the national Australian animal identification system.

Congressional Schedule:  Congress has recessed to work on the campaign trail prior to the November 7 mid-term elections.  Both houses are expected to reconvene November 13.

Media Contact:
Tanya Augustson Camarra or Karen Batra at 202-347-0228, tacamarra@beef.org or kbatra@beef.org.