(JULY 1) – On Wednesday, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), National Farmers Union (NFU), and eleven other organizations sent a letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee requesting a hearing on livestock mandatory price reporting reauthorization. The Livestock Mandatory Reporting rule, established in 1999, mandates price reporting for cattle, boxed beef swine, and lamb. It is reauthorized every five years, with …
USCA Design Contest: Summer 2020
(June 25, 2020) – Calling all creatives! We are soliciting supporters to submit apparel designs for our summer line. Winners will receive THEIR design printed on the tee or tank of their choice (and credit/link to their page on the site). We’ll pick winners in three categories: – Designs featuring cattle phrases/imagery 🐂🐮🌱🚜 – Beef-centric Designs 🍔🥩🍴 – …
USCA Hosts Virtual Capitol Hill Meetings
(JUNE 22) – Despite an ongoing global pandemic, national stay-at-home orders, and spring cattle work, members of the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) still found a way to “travel” to Washington, D.C. and meet with their Members of Congress. From June 15-17, nearly 50 cattle producers from 15 states participated in the first-ever virtual Washington, DC “Fly-In”. This year proved …
USCA Sends Letter to Congressional Leaders on COVID-19 Relief
(WASHINGTON) – On Wednesday, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) sent a letter to Congressional leaders on concerns associated with the current framework of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The letter also requests additional funding for U.S. cattle producers in the next coronavirus relief package. Specifically, USCA recommended the following changes to lessen the economic impact of COVID-19 on …
MEMBER ALERT: Justice Department Issues Subpoenas to “Big Four”
(JUNE 8) – On Friday, the Department of Justice issued civil subpoenas to the four biggest beef processors, JBS USA Holdings Inc., Tyson Foods Inc., Cargill Inc. and National Beef Packing Company. The move comes as the Department ramps up its examination into anticompetitive practices in the U.S. livestock industry. Just on Wednesday, four poultry industry executives were indicted on …
MEMBER ALERT: CFAP Webinars for Producers Announced
(JUNE 4) – Join the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) for a webinar designed just for you. Webinars for producers, farmers and ranchers will begin on June 9. Ag producers can learn more about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program directly from agency officials. Webinar Dates & Topics: June 9 at 3:00 p.m. EDT – Outreach CFAP Webinar for Specialty Crops …
MEMBER ALERT: USDA Clarifies Cattle Categories in CFAP
(JUNE 3) – USDA recently provided clarification on how specific groups of cattle fit into the categories outlined in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Learn more on www.farmers.gov/cfap/livestock. Newborn Calf Calves from birth to days old CFAP Category: Feeder Cattle: < 600 lbs Calf Calves still nursing the cow, animals that generally weigh less than 500 pounds …
Join us for the first-ever virtual Cattlemen’s Fly-In!
(May 21, 2020) – Our annual Washington, DC fly-in will look a little bit different this year. Due to the ongoing stay-at-home orders in effect throughout the city, we elected to cancel the 2020 Washington, DC Fly-In. BUT, that doesn’t mean our advocacy efforts are on pause! We’re proud to host the first virtual Cattlemen’s Washington, DC Fly-In this upcoming …
USCA Statement on House Energy & Commerce Forum with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai
(May 19, 2020) – The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) believes the current health crisis has made it imperative that the millions living in rural America are not left behind by an ever-growing digital divide. Congress can help ensure that U.S. cattle producers and their families will be provided the safety, security, and connectivity needed to endure this crisis and …
White House, USDA Announce Details of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
(May 19, 2020) – On Tuesday, President Donald J. Trump announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The announcement detailed the distribution of up to $16 billion in direct payments to producers experiencing COVID-19 related losses. Full program details are below. Sign-up will begin May 26th and run until August 28th. President Trump also said that the U.S. …
MEMBER ALERT: Details Released on Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
(May 19, 2020) – Today, President Donald J. Trump and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). USCA’s Marketing and Competition Committee is reviewing the details released this morning and will provide our members with additional information and clarification on the process soon. Here’s what we know so far: CFAP provides vital financial assistance …
Senators Introduce Spot Market Bill
(MAY 12) – On Tuesday, U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Jon Tester (D-MT) introduced a bill to require each U.S. meat processing facility that slaughters over 125,000 head of cattle each year to purchase fifty percent of their weekly volume of beef slaughter on the open or ‘spot’ market. The lack of cash negotiated sales in recent years has …