reviews until its scheduled expiration in 2036. While this does not place the agreement in immediate jeopardy, it means continued engagement will be necessary to ensure its long-term success. NCBA will remain actively involved in that effort.
In August, President Trump announced a temporary waiver of the 26.4 % tariff applied to imported beef under the " Other Countries " quota. The waiver allows up to 300,000 metric tons of imported beef to enter the U. S. at a reduced tariff rate for 90 days. NCBA opposed the decision, arguing it introduced uncertainty during a critical herd rebuilding period. While the policy had little impact on consumer beef prices, it negatively affected cattle futures markets and disrupted business planning for many producers.
Tax Relief
Building on significant tax victories in 2025, including continued Death Tax relief and expanded depreciation tools, NCBA continues to champion additional tax priorities that benefit producers and rural communities.
NCBA is monitoring changes to federal hobby-loss rules. Beginning in 2026, hobby expense deductions were permanently suspended, creating a greater need to document an operation functioning as a business. If the IRS classifies an operation as a hobby, the producer cannot deduct any expenses but must still report all income. While farms that show profits in three out of five years generally receive favorable treatment, those that do not meet the profit guideline may be subject to a more subjective nine-factor IRS review. NCBA is working with state affiliates and federal agencies to improve awareness and transparency around enforcement.
Another major victory involved the Corporate Transparency Act( CTA). NCBA successfully advocated against burdensome reporting requirements that would have imposed significant compliance costs and penalties on family-owned operations. Earlier this year, FinCEN exempted U. S. companies and individuals from beneficial ownership reporting requirements under the CTA. NCBA supported the decision and continues to advocate for full repeal of the law.
NCBA also advocated for the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act, legislation designed to improve disasterrelated tax treatment for agricultural producers. The bill extends casualty loss deductions through Jan. 1, 2027, allows producers to deduct qualifying disaster losses without being limited by the standard 10 % adjusted gross income threshold, and clarifies that wildfire relief payments remain excluded from taxable income regardless of when they are received. Congress overwhelmingly approved the legislation and sent it to the president in September to be signed into law.
Transportation
This spring, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the BUILD America 250 Act, legislation reauthorizing federal surface transportation programs.
Livestock haulers play an essential role in the cattle supply chain, but regulations developed for traditional freight transportation often fail to account for the unique challenges associated with transporting live animals.
NCBA has worked for years to secure greater flexibility for livestock haulers, and the BUILD Act includes several key provisions, including; increased hours-of-service flexibility, a permanent exemption from Electronic Logging Device( ELD) requirements, codification of existing livestock transportation exemptions, and a pilot program raising allowable truck weights from 80,000 to 91,000 lbs.
However, NCBA remains concerned about the inclusion of the activist-backed Van Drew Amendment, which would prohibit transportation of horses for slaughter. NCBA views the proposal as part of a broader effort by animal rights organizations to establish precedents that could eventually restrict transportation of other livestock species. This amendment addresses a problem that does not exist in the U. S. while potentially undermining important legal protections currently associated with livestock.
The bill now advances to the full House, where NCBA will continue advocating for transportation reforms while opposing the Van Drew Amendment.
10 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN DIRECTIONS 2026