REGION REPORTS
REGION l
By Frank Stoltzfus
One of the real privileges I have as an NCBA regional vice president is to serve on the Environmental Stewardship Award Program ( ESAP ) selection committee . In April , the committee met in Harrisburg , Pennsylvania , to begin the selection process for the 2024 ESAP regional winners . We were charged with the task of selecting winners from the seven regions .
The ESAP award was initiated by NCBA in 1991 to showcase what cattlemen and women across the country are doing to conserve natural resources . It was noticed way before sustainability was “ a thing ” cattlemen had a natural desire to conserve our land , water , air , wildlife and energy . This program allows for those producers who are outstanding stewards to share their story with fellow producers , but more importantly , with the American public including our lawmakers and regulators . These producer stories bring to the forefront how cattle are part of the climate solution , not the problem .
The selection committee was able to tour a previous ESAP national winner , Masonic Village Farm in Elizabethtown , Pennsylvania , to see firsthand how best management practices have been implemented and sustained . The program has allowed us to “ show and tell ” exactly what cattle producers are doing to not only make their operations sustainable , but to give to society . These outstanding cattlemen and women not only produce a supply of high-quality protein but continue to help make cleaner water and conserve valuable resources .
If you know of a farm or ranch deserving recognition , please start the process to nominate them for these prestigious awards .
REGION ll
By Joe Hancock
After last year ’ s historic drought , the hills and hollows throughout the Southeast are abundant with winter and spring foliage . As we look across the fields of green , one cannot help but wonder if we have yet seen the full impact of the 2023 drought . Some landowners are seeing sparce regrowth of perennial summer grass and may be forced to look at optional summer forages . Yet through it all , producers remain resilient and are consummate caretakers of the land and its animals .
North Carolina Cattlemen ’ s Association has used their state assessment to fund educational programs delivered by the Amazing Grazing Program at North Carolina State Extension to help grow interest in pastureland ecosystems . Florida has completed a 5-6 year process of reviewing and updating the Florida Department of Agriculture Office of Agriculture Water ’ s Best Management Practices Manual for Florida cattle producers . Ranches utilize this manual to self-assess the land use practices and nutrient management plans with state staff . Alabama has enjoyed a mild spring with timely rains making forage availability ample . In Tennessee , many counties in the state have been listed as abnormally dry on the latest drought monitor . Tennessee is in discussions about Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program ( NAP ) payments with FSA and evaluating how they are calculated . Other states in Region II are focused on legislative concerns and providing educational material promoting the benefits of cattle grazing to landscapes .
REGION lll
By Charlie Besher
This is my first report as Region III policy division vice president . My wife Donnia and I are cow-calf producers in southeast Missouri .
This quarter , when I reached out to the affiliates , there was a consensus of concern on two topics , one being the drought monitor map and reporting the main concern with weather patterns being very sporadic in some counties . They could be getting rain in one area and the other parts would be receiving little to none and the whole county is degraded to a D2 or D1 . The affiliates have asked their members to use the localized reporting , and they answered the call with little to no effect . With some counties only having one weather monitoring station , or none , they are not getting the actual conditions reported .
The second concern , our neighbors to the north are dealing with the wolves . In Wisconsin , the population has grown to more than 1,000 , well above the threshold initially established for successful reintroduction . State officials are no longer able to effectively deal with the wolf issues since a 2023 re-listing of wolves . With anticipation of a delisting , Wisconsin Natural Resources Board developed a Wolf Management Plan in the fall of 2023 which prepares them for a hunting season post delisting . We as cattle producers are faced with many challenges with just some being drought , predators like the wolves , and the black vultures that are an issue with the states in the southern area of our region . We must keep the push to delist the wolves and get the Black Vulture Relief Act that is currently in Congress passed to allow take without a written permit from USDA in addition to a review of the drought monitoring system .
REGION lV
By Scott Anderson
My Region IV report this quarter is a tribute to all those affected by the fires earlier this year as well as the many people across the country who contributed everything from prayers to hay to fencing materials plus a host of other items . It required continuous effort from local , state and federal resources for 20 days to get the fires in the Texas Panhandle and western Oklahoma fully contained . Labeled the largest wildfire in Texas history at 1.2 million acres , it is also projected to be the costliest . Texas A & M AgriLife Extension Service economists estimate preliminary agriculture related damage at $ 123 million . Donations for relief efforts have also come pouring in . Through early May , the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund has distributed $ 900,000 directly to ranching families affected . Additional requests for funds are still being processed . Impacted producers in disaster declared counties can apply for funding online at www . tscra . org . While the affected areas have received some rain and the range is greening up , responsible recovery will require patience and timely rains . Relocating and / or otherwise providing for the needs of herds in these affected areas is necessary while the range heals and recovers . A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the relief efforts .
Lastly , Region IV was excited to celebrate G Bar C Ranch , the 2023 National Environmental Stewardship Award Program ( ESAP ) winner in April . G Bar C Ranch is owned by the Ellis family in Rosston , Texas . ESAP showcases leading ranch operations who demonstrate their commitment to conservation and innovation within the industry . If you are interested in applying , contact your state affiliate executive .
14 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN www . NCBA . org