Hundreds of cattlemen from across the nation are arriving in Washington, D.C., this week for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Spring Legislative Conference. As NCBA President Mike John of Huntsville, Missouri, explains, this large collection of cattle producers strikes a powerful presence on Capitol Hill.

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While NCBA staff are working with members of Congress and key legislative staff on a daily, year-round basis, John said there’s nothing like face-to-face visits with constituents to bring cattle industry issues to the forefront of a legislator’s agenda.

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But John says the NCBA Spring Conference doesn’t just focus on Congress, but also on regulatory agencies. He said personal meetings with key agency personnel from USDA, the Department of Interior, the Office of U.S. Trade Representative, and other federal agencies are very critical to the success of this event. 

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