(OCTOBER 22, 2021) – Mark your calendars and plan to join us for the upcoming 2021 United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) Annual Meeting this December 10th and 11th. We’re looking forward to being back in-person this year in Spearfish, South Dakota. All members are welcome to attend – committee members are especially encouraged to join us. We will also offer a virtual option for those …
Legislation Introduced to Establish a Cattle Contract Library
(OCTOBER 20, 2021) – On Wednesday, Ranking Member of the Livestock & Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee Dusty Johnson (R-S.D) and Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) introduced the bipartisan Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021 (H.R. 5609), which would create a library for cattle contracts within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agriculture Marketing Service Department. The bill instructs USDA to regularly update the library in …
USCA Member Brad Brunner Wins Nutra-Lix, Inc. Saddle
(BILLINGS) – Each year, new and renewing members of the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) are entered into a drawing for a custom-made saddle. For the past several years, Nutra-Lix has generously donated the saddle as a USCA membership drive. Due to the virtual capacity of our meetings this year, USCA Senior Policy Advisor Jess Peterson met with Nutra-Lix Vice President …
Join the Conversation with Oklahoma Farmers Union President Scott Blubaugh
On Thursday, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review the state of the livestock hearing. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senator Chuck Grassley testified on their own before a panel of industry witnesses took the stand. One of those witnesses included Mr. Scott Blubaugh of Tonkawa, Oklahoma and President of the Oklahoma Farmers Union. Please join us for our monthly Horn Wrap call on …
Livestock Mandatory Reporting Authorization Extended to Dec. 3
(SEPTEMBER 30, 2021) – With only hours to spare, Congress on Thursday passed legislation to avoid a government shutdown. The continuing resolution, which funds the government through December 3, passed the Senate 65-35 and cleared the House on a 254-175 vote. The measure temporarily extends authority for the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program through December 3. Additionally, it provides $10 billion in producer assistance for 2020 …
USCA Vice President featured in Interview on Corporate Consolidation
(SEPTEMBER 30, 2021) – USCA Vice President Justin Tupper was featured in a recent docuseries on corporate consolidation in the U.S. meatpacking industry. Watch the full video below!
Senate Ag to Consider Bill to Extend Authorization for Livestock Mandatory Reporting
(SEPTEMBER 29, 2021) – The Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) program expires this Thursday, September 30. On Monday night, the Senate failed to move forward a continuing resolution (CR) that would have kept the government funded until December 3. Included in that CR was also an extension for the LMR program. So, where does that leave us now? Ideally, Congress finds a …
So You Want to Start a Meat Plant? A Short Primer on What You Need to Know
(SEPTEMBER 23, 2021) – Through the Local Food Systems Response to COVID project, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) partnered with the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN) to develop a new resource outlining considerations for starting a new meat plant. A resilient food system requires a diverse group of meat processors when it comes to scale, services provided, and location. …
USCA Address Mask Mandates for Independent Processing Facilities
(SEPTEMBER 15, 2021) – Last Friday, members of the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) Independent Beef Processing Committee met with leadership at USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to discuss the agency’s updated guidance on mask use in “small” and “very small” plants, or those facilities with up to 499 employees. The same regulations imposed on large processing facilities are not feasible for small and …
Biden Administration Sends Strong Message on Consolidation and Competition
(SEPTEMBER 10, 2021) – On Wednesday, the White House hosted a press briefing with Press Secretary Jen Psaki, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Director of the National Economic Council Brian Deese to discuss the impacts of a highly concentrated meatpacking sector for American producers and consumers. In an accompanying article, titled Addressing Concentration in the Meat-Processing Industry to Lower Food Prices …
Legislation Introduced to Identify Pathway to Reinstate Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling
(SEPTEMBER 10, 2021) – On Wednesday, U.S. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT), John Thune (R-SD), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ), announced the American Beef Labeling Act, legislation that would reinstate mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. This bill require the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, to develop a World Trade Organization-compliant means of reinstating MCOOL for …
Learn More: What does the new Emergency Declaration mean for livestock haulers?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced an extension of the exemption from hours-of-service requirements for livestock haulers through midnight on November 30, 2021. However, this version of the declaration includes big changes that livestock haulers should be aware of while operating under the exemption. Don’t risk being put OOS! Join USCA Transportation Committee members for an informational call next …