POLICY SCORECARD: HOW DID WE DO?
PURSUE REGULATORY ACTIONS THAT ENHANCE PRODUCER PROFITABILITY
Remove harmful regulations instituted during the Biden administration that harm cattle producers, including:
• Expand access to risk management and disaster relief programs within the Farm Bill, to support financial stability for producers.
• ESA rules
• NEPA rules
• WOTUS
• 2001 Roadless Rule
• BLM Public Lands Rule
• Packers and Stockyards rulemakings
Roll back climate policies that create unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Fight to keep beef on the plate and pursue Dietary Guidelines and federal nutrition policies that reflect the excellent nutritional value of our product.
Ensure that all labeling requirements for fake meat products are transparent, accurate, and fair.
Protect the U. S. cattle herd from the incursion of foreign animal diseases and support heightened preparedness actions.
Ensure access to the use of antimicrobial drugs that will allow veterinarians to prevent, control and treat diseases in cattle.
Push for further hours-of-service flexibility and continue delaying ELD requirements for livestock haulers.
Fight for meaningful long-term relief from the burdensome reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act.
Work with USDA to implement the reformed“ Product of USA” label to promote voluntary, verified, trade-compliant labeling that returns greater value to producers.
Expand market access for U. S. beef exports and ensure equivalent animal health and food safety standards for imported beef.
Keep working lands working by protecting family farms from undue regulatory burdens under the ESA, NEPA, CWA, CAA, and other regulations.
Streamline the federal permitting process and increase flexibility to adapt to local conditions.
Safeguard the U. S. cattle and beef supply chain by working with the administration to ensure a strong workforce that meets consumer demand.
WORK WITH CONGRESS TO STRENGTHEN PRODUCER PROFITABILITY
Work to retain core wins in the 2024 House Agriculture Committee-passed Farm Bill.
Preserve family farms and ranches for future generations by advocating for essential tax relief for cattle producers.
Enhance wildfire prevention utilizing targeted grazing, controlled burns, and forest management practices to protect grazing lands.
Secure resources to support cow-calf producers as industry works to implement current disease traceability requirements.
Protect producer access to voluntary conservation tools to support their long history of science-based resource stewardship.
Support effective predator control measures and compensation programs for livestock depredations and ensure depredation standards work with ranchers utilizing federal lands and not against them.
Completed In-Progress Unrealized
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE A BULL THAT FITS YOUR NEEDS?
Picking the right bull is one of the biggest decisions you’ ll make as a cattle producer. That bull is responsible for half the genetics in every calf he sires, so his influence, better or worse, will ripple through your operation for years to come. Whether you’ re selling feeders, retaining ownership, or developing replacements, the bull you use has a direct impact on performance, efficiency and profit margin. A solid bull that suits your environment and management can boost growth rates, fertility, carcass quality and cow longevity. But the wrong bull? He can set you back fast, with calves that don’ t gain or don’ t fit buyers’ preferences. That’ s exactly why having a clear breeding objective is just as important as the bull himself. What kind of cattle are you trying to produce and why? Maybe you need more uniformity and moderate cows that would do well on the feed type you have. Maybe you are aiming for more marbling, tighter calving windows, or heavier weaning weights. Once you know your objective, tools like EPDs, genomics and visual appraisal start to make more sense. A good breeding objective keeps you focused and helps put money into bulls that can move your herd in the right direction. In a business where margins are slim and it takes years to see real change, choosing the right bull can help with continuous improvement and help you move your operation forward. www. NCBA. org NATIONAL CATTLEMEN 15