Statement by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association on Drought Relief

"The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has long supported drought and disaster relief for America's beef producers.

"NCBA began lobbying intensively for disaster relief in the fall of 2001, and NCBA described the plight of drought-inflicted ranchers in testimony before Congress in May 2002.  In July 2002, NCBA's members and state affiliates met in Reno and requested that NCBA produce at least $500 million for drought-affected producers.  NCBA worked with the Bush administration and USDA to garner tremendous financial aid for producers.  NCBA's efforts led to the administration providing more than $1.4 billion in assistance.

"NCBA efforts led to the following:

*         $835 million in the Livestock Compensation Program,

*         $150 million for the Livestock Feed Assistance Program,

*         additional resources for the Emergency Compensation Program,

7         $80 million for the Emergency Loan Program,

*         and, the Conserve Reserve Program was opened for grazing nationally. NCBA was able to get extensions granted in many states.

"All totaled, these resources are nearly three times the amount requested by NCBA members, and amount to more than $1 billion.  When our members spoke, NCBA's actions led to cash in producers' pockets.

"NCBA members and state affiliates will meet in Nashville later this month where they will review these accomplishments, and provide further direction on how to continue to provide meaningful relief to producers suffering from drought conditions.

"If there is a livestock producer in the country who received relief in the fall, it is a direct result of NCBA members asking NCBA to make a difference, and we did."