REGION UPDATES
which affirmed that brine water is groundwater. This is important to surface landowners as any value from the brine water belongs to the surface owner. Some entities are beginning to harvest iodine and other trace minerals from brine water which could provide additional revenue to surface landowners.
Much work has been done, but more will be needed to control the New World Screwworm and tick-born illness, Theileria. Oklahoma and Texas are dealing with the NWS, and Arkansas is battling Theileria. NCBA does not have a shortage of issues to work on, but they are actively working for all cattle producers.
REGION V
By Jim Steinbeisser
Fires are the big focus for much of Region V right now. Hopefully, by the time this article is published, it won’ t be. The large scale of this disaster has exposed some weaknesses in our national, state and regional fire policy. One being the coordination between the different agencies lacks the necessary cohesiveness to be as efficient and responsive as we need. This affects states in varying degrees. When this fire season is over, it will be important to evaluate the agencies’ coordination and address those weaknesses.
One positive response to this large fire season we see in the West is the willingness of the federal government to open grazing on CRP and vacant grazing allotments. They seem open to more flexibility for extended grazing on existing allotments as well in order to help mitigate the effects of lost grazing from fires. The Trump administration’ s policy to increase grazing lands to help grow the cow herd is helpful here.
Another bit of good news is Oregon’ s IP 28 did not receive enough signatures to have it placed on November’ s ballot. If it had passed, it would have criminalized many animal husbandry practices for agriculture and hunters and fishermen. Because of this threat, a constitutional amendment is being drafted to protect these practices as well as hunting and fishing in Oregon, and the chances of it passing are reported to be good.
More good news in Montana: BLM issued a final decision rescinding the bison grazing on seven allotments. This is because the bison were not being raised for production purposes, as the Taylor Grazing Act stipulates. Conservation herds don’ t meet this criterion, however a lawsuit has already been filed arguing this point.
One last bit of good news: DOI has released the D4 rule returning grizzly bear management to the states. Not a delisting, but a step in the right direction.
REGION Vl
By Jeff Young
As extreme drought conditions developed across the West and Southwest, one of the worst fire seasons in memory has followed. Fires have been historically large and volatile this year, causing a great deal of forage loss and livestock deaths affecting many ranchers in our region. Unfortunately, the fire season looks to be far from finished. The lack of winter snowpack followed by insufficient spring and summer moisture has created extremely dry conditions, allowing large fires to spread. The prolonged dry conditions have also reduced available irrigation water resulting in low hay and forage production during a time of critical need.
Challenging conditions exist across much of our region. Funding for Farm Service Agency programs such as the Livestock Indemnity Program( LIP) and the Livestock Forage Program( LFP) are going to be vital. National Resource Conservation Service( NRCS) conservation programs such as Environmental Quality Incentives Program( EQIP) and Watershed Restoration Initiative( WRI) will also be vital to help restore rangelands to their productive potential. These programs have funds available to restore both public and private rangelands. Through these programs, restoration projects can take place at a landscape scale that has benefit to livestock producers as well as the greater ecosystem. It is important that we work to ensure adequate funding for these programs.
Once the smoke clears and moisture returns, perhaps we will be able to see some good come from these challenges. It may be improved range conditions or improved management practices that will help mitigate the damaging effects of large fires in the future.
REGION Vll
By Jeff Schafer
Good policy is like good soil, it nurtures growth and adapts to changing conditions. Bad policy reminds me of a drought, depleting resources, favoring a few, and leaving you and your communities vulnerable.
North Dakota’ s biggest win this year on the policy front was successfully updating an AFO zoning ordinance that was too restrictive and out of state compliance. Now it is more reasonable and welcomes animal agriculture. Zoning ordinances are being reviewed across the state. The state legislative session is in its‘ off’ year and studies are underway on property taxes, AI and data centers.
South Dakota sees a policy win in staving off a ban on cell cultured proteins but getting a temporary prohibition on those products which avoids potential costly litigation for going down the banning route. South Dakota producers are currently challenged by MCOOL, and are trying to educate policymakers and fellow producers about the higher benefit of a voluntary program rather than a mandatory one.
Nebraska Cattlemen were instrumental in getting a bill signed into law to improve the safety for producers who lead, herd or drive livestock on highways. It expanded the definition of“ vulnerable road users” under state law and requires motorists to yield to livestock on roads. Unfortunately, uncertainty looms going into the 2027 session with a big deficit and tax receipts coming in below projections.
For the last two legislative sessions, Kansas advocated for broad-based property tax relief for all taxpayers. Some legislators favored a cap on assessed valuation growth. However, if spending isn’ t capped, entities would increase mill levies to generate enough revenue to meet their needs. The strong Kansas coalition held off the valuation cap, though some legislators couldn’ t see the logic, meaning further discussion may be back next session.
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