Beltway Beef Podcasts

It’s been a busy few days in Washington! Congress rejected an amendment attacking the Beef Checkoff after thousands of cattle producers spoke up against the legislation and a government shutdown was averted after a last-minute deal was reached to pass a continuing resolution. For more on these developments, NCBA Senior Director of Government Affair…

As climate discussions in New York City wrap up, NCBA’s Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins Beltway Beef to provide an update on the cattle industry’s sustainability. Hart analyzes some key sustainability metrics that show the industry’s continued improvement, and she explains how raising cattle provides essential ecosystem services, like maintain…

On this episode, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane provides an update on Senator Mike Lee’s attempt to add the anti-checkoff OFF Act to the Senate agriculture appropriations bill. Lane explains how the OFF Act would harm America’s cattle producers, reveals who is funding activist groups that are pushing for this legislation, and …

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency’s revised Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that is intended to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case Sackett v. EPA. NCBA was involved in the Sackett case by filing a brief with the Supreme Court that highlighted the Clean Water Act…

On this episode, we hear from NCBA Policy Division Vice Chair and Indiana cattle producer Tim Schwab on the issues facing cattle producers in the Midwest. Schwab discusses his support for the Beef Checkoff program, provides some insight into his experience with NCBA and the Indiana Beef Cattle Association, and shares some ways his operation is sust…

On this episode, NCBA President Todd Wilkinson joins to provide an update on the hot topics being discussed at NCBA’s Summer Business Meeting. Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer, also shares his thoughts on emerging cell-cultured meat technology, overregulation coming from Washington, D.C., animal disease traceability, and the importance of …

This week, the powerful House Ways and Means Committee held a field hearing in Kimball, Minnesota at Schiefelbein Farms, an angus seedstock operation owned by NCBA Past President Don Schiefelbein and his family. On this episode, Schiefelbein joins to discuss his testimony at the hearing and explain what the cattle industry needs in the next Farm Bi…

On this episode, Nebraska rancher Barb Cooksley joins to share her perspective on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), the Farm Bill, sustainability, and other top issues in the cattle industry. Cooksley also details her operation’s recovery from wildfire and the conservation practices she employs to steward the resources on her land. Cooksley is a leader i…

On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to provide his perspective on NCBA’s recent policy wins. Woodall highlights the Supreme Court’s recent decision on Waters of the U.S., the cattle industry’s Farm Bill priorities, and the federal government’s recognition that food security is national security. Woodall also explains how NCBA is respondin…

On this episode, Nevada Director of Agriculture J.J. Goicoechea joins to discuss his concerns with the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed “conservation” rule that would open the door to removing livestock grazing from our nation’s public lands. A fourth-generation cattle producer operating on both his family’s private land and public land, …

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in the case Sackett v. EPA, which delivered a critical win to the cattle industry on the issue of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The decision strikes down the significant nexus test that the federal government used to determine what …

Across Texas and Oklahoma, specially trained law enforcement officers protect the cattle industry and investigate crimes against farmers and ranchers. These Special Rangers of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) are part of a historic agency that has been compared to the famed Texas Rangers, Scotland Yard, and Royal Canadi…

On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to discuss the animal rights activist groups that are attacking the Beef Checkoff through the deceptively titled “Opportunities for Fairness in Farming” or OFF Act. Despite false claims from proponents of the OFF Act, the Beef Checkoff is strongly supported by cattle producers, is producer-led, and rece…

On this episode, we are joined by NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus and Whitestone Farm Managing Partner and General Manager Mark Duffell for an update on a recent farm tour conducted for the British Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries the Rt Hon Mark Spencer MP. Bacus explains how farm tours for foreign officia…

Over 300 cattle producers flew to Washington, D.C. to participate in NCBA’s Legislative Conference and meet with their Members of Congress. Producers shared stories from their farming and ranching operations and discussed the policy priorities that are important to the cattle industry. On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs …

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss what cattle producers should expect now that the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. rule has taken effect in 48 states. Hart highlights some of the most concerning provisions of the rule and explains how NCBA is continuing to fight against the rule in Congress and in court…

On this episode, we are joined by Cattlemen to Cattlemen Host Kevin Ochsner and Executive Producer Kate Maher to discuss the special National Ag Day episode of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen TV show. Ochsner and Maher share updates from their recent travels where they visited 77 Ranch, JA Ranch, Bezner Beef, XIT Feeders, and The Meat Board in Texas.…

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus joins to discuss Brazil’s history of failing to report cases of BSE, commonly referred to as Mad Cow Disease, in a timely manner. Due to Brazil’s lack of transparency, NCBA is calling for a suspension of Brazilian beef imports until it is determined that Brazil meets the Unit…

On this episode, Iowa cattle producer Bill Couser joins to discuss his work on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee. The committee was established in 2007 to provide independent policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on a range of environmental issues and polic…

On this special episode, NCBA Senior Director of Sustainability Dr. Samantha Werth and Associate Director of Sustainability Projects Grace Vehige join to discuss the Cattle Industry Convention’s focus on beef sustainability. Dr. Werth highlights some of the events that producers can attend at the convention, including visiting the sustainability bo…

On this special episode, NCBA Executive Director of Meetings and Events Kristin Torres joins to preview the unique events happening at the 125th Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow. The convention schedule is jam packed with once-in-a-lifetime events like a fireside chat with NCBA President Don Schiefelbein and Yellowstone creator Taylor …

On this episode, NCBA Senior Executive Director of Governance and Leadership Development Barb Wilkinson joins to announce NCBA’s new policy committee leadership—grassroots cattle producers who serve as chairs and vice chairs of the association’s policy committees. Wilkinson explains the importance of these leadership roles and how individual cattle…

On this episode, we explore the NCBA public policy internship program, which provides rising cattle industry leaders with the opportunity to learn about advocacy in Washington, D.C. NCBA Associate Director of Operations Justyn Tedder joins to discuss the internship application process and a current and former intern each provide some insight into t…

On this episode, Associate Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Natural Resources Sigrid Johannes joins to discuss the Fish and Wildlife Service’s listing of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Johannes explains how voluntary conservation efforts by cattle producers have protected lesser prairie chicken habit…

On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to discuss the new White House National Security Memorandum to Strengthen the Security and Resilience of U.S. Food and Agriculture. This memorandum is a public acknowledgement that food security is national security. Woodall also shares details from his pre-briefing at the White House with senior defens…

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart and Senior Director of Sustainability Dr. Samantha Werth join to discuss the science that confirms the cattle industry’s sustainability. Thanks to generations of continuous improvement, the cattle industry has substantially reduced greenhouse gas emissions while more efficiently providing a nutri…

On this episode, NCBA Vice President Ethan Lane joins to discuss the November election’s potential impact on the cattle industry. Lane highlights how anti-agriculture activists have made additional campaign contributions this cycle and he previews how the election might impact the makeup of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Finally, Lane…

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins for an in-depth discussion on two major agricultural cases currently before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case Sackett v. EPA is considering the longstanding issue of “Waters of the United States” and the federal government’s proper jurisdiction in regulating bodies of water, while National P…

On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to provide his perspective as an attendee at the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. Woodall also provides an update on key issues NCBA is focused on, including new Packers and Stockyards rules from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the “Waters of the U.S.” Supreme Court case of S…

On this episode, NCBA member and Iowa cattle producer Shayne Wiese joins to discuss his experience utilizing voluntary conservation programs from the 2018 Farm Bill. As Congress is developing the next Farm Bill, Wiese provided essential insight on his experience accessing these programs for his own cattle operation and working with local U.S. Depar…

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera provides an update on an important piece of transportation in the supply chain: trains. Rivera explains how rail lines provide essential feed and fuel to cattle operations and she highlights NCBA's new grassroots policy on issues impacting rail service.…

On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss the Livestock Regulatory Protection Act, a bill introduced in Congress by Senators John Thune, Kyrsten Sinema, John Boozman, and Mark Kelly, that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating the naturally occurring emissions from cattle operations. Hart also…

On this episode, NCBA’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons joins to discuss the Asian Longhorned Tick, an extremely aggressive tick that can cause stress and severe blood loss in cattle. The tick also can transmit diseases to cattle such as bovine Theileriosis, a disease that causes anemia, failure to grow (ill-thrift), persistent infection, repr…

On this episode, NCBA Environmental Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to discuss NCBA’s fight against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s overreaching greenhouse gas disclosure rule. Hart details the origins of the rule and the harm it could cause to cattle producers. Hart also highlights NCBA’s grassroots campaign against the rule, which re…

On this episode, Associate Director of PLC and NCBA Natural Resources Sigrid Johannes joins to discuss the unforeseen consequences that Endangered Species Act (ESA) listings can have on ranchers. Johannes discusses how NCBA and PLC are working together to advocate for science-based, state-led management of species like the gray wolf and the norther…

NCBA’s Environmental Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins the podcast to discuss the Security and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) greenhouse gas emissions reporting rule that would require publicly traded companies to disclose their Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (energy use), and Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions. As part of this rule, farmers and ranchers who se…

On this episode, public policy intern Grace Vehige hosts Reba Mazak, American National Cattle Women (ANCW) president, to discuss the organization’s recent fly-in. ANCW, a close partner with NCBA, plays an important role in advocating on behalf of the cattle industry. Tune in to hear Reba's insight on topics of importance to their membership and why…

On this episode, Senior Director of International Trade and Market Access Kent Bacus joins to discuss NCBA’s stance on trade, how we hold our trade partners to high safety standards, and why a trade deal between the U.S. and UK is a top priority.By National Cattlemen's Beef Association

This week, Tanner Beymer joins the podcast to discuss the cattle markets hearings that occurred in both the House and Senate Agriculture Committee this past week. Beymer shares that NCBA is focused on securing practical solutions – that have broad industry support – to increase market transparency and boost producer leverage in pricing negotiations…

NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover joins the podcast to give an update on the work being done to ensure clear and consistent environmental regulations for cattle producers. As the Biden administration undergoes processes to repeal and replace Waters of the United States (WOTUS) and National Envir…

Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane joins the podcast to give an update on the work being done by NCBA’s Government Affairs team. Lane discusses the latest legislative and regulatory proposals and encourages members to be engaged in the policy process through conversations with their elected officials.…

Recently, NCBA President Don Schiefelbein joined Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane and Senior Director of International Trade & Market Access Kent Bacus in London to set the stage for a potential trade deal with the United Kingdom. Tune in to hear Schiefelbein discuss why free and fair trade deals are essential to increase carcass val…

NCBA’s Environmental Counsel, Mary-Thomas Hart, joins the podcast to discuss why this year’s focus on conservation during National Ag Day is a significant moment for the U.S. agriculture industry, especially cattle farmers and ranchers. Through innovative voluntary conservation efforts, producers across the country are making decisions that have a …

This week, NCBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane sits down with Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee GT Thompson. Tune in to hear Lane and Thompson discuss why industry input is critical as Farm Bill discussions begin, and what can be done to address cattle marketing challenges faced by producers across the country. Ev…

Joining us on this episode of Beltway Beef is NCBA member J.J. Goicoechea, a fourth-generation rancher from east-central Nevada. He discusses the Biden administration’s 30x30 or “America the Beautiful” initiative, in which they intend to conserve 30 percent of the nation’s water and land by 2030. NCBA and industry partners, including the Public Lan…

On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover joins to discuss a recent U.S. District Court decision to remand and vacate a Trump administration decision to remove Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections from gray wolves, essentially relisting the species. Glover shares how, despite rhetoric from animal activist gro…

Kim Brackett, an Idaho native, owns Brackett Ranches with her husband and four children. As a cow-calf producer, Kim understands the importance of making conservation decisions that contribute to rangeland health, wildfire mitigation, and habitat recovery. Taking care of the land and setting the future generation up for success is a top priority fo…

Luis Martinez, counselor for agricultural affairs at the Embassy of Mexico in the United States, and Gizem Eras, counsellor of agriculture and fisheries at the Embassy of Canada in the United States, sit down with Ashley and NCBA's Senior Director of International Trade and Market Access Kent Bacus to discuss the importance of free trade agreements…

Incoming NCBA President Don Schiefelbein sits down with Ashley at the the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show to discuss his year as president and NCBA's top priorities for the year ahead. A cow-calf producer from Minnesota, Schiefelbein is committed to carrying out NCBA's member-led grassroots policy and looks forward to serving ca…

On this episode, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane discusses NCBA's upcoming convention and, specifically, the member-led grassroots policy process that sets NCBA apart from other cattle organizations. Lane shares how members will set the direction for the next year in areas that range from live cattle marketing to federal taxes …