MEMBER ALERT: Minimum Negotiated Cash Trade

USCA is leading the effort to designate a minimum percentage of negotiated cash cattle purchases by each of the major meatpacking plants that are required to report to USDA AMS under the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program.  What does this mean?  Our proposal would require a minimum of 30 percent of each packer processing plant’s weekly volume of beef slaughter to come as a …

Member Alert: Update on the USDA COVID-19 Aid Package

(April 18, 2020) – As of this morning, USDA has not hosted any stakeholder briefings on what was released late last night. There are many questions surrounding USDA’s announcement and how it applies to producers.  USCA is working on tracking down answers these answers and will keep its members up to date as we learn more. We expect more briefings …

USCA Releases Estimate on Economic Impact of COVID-19 to U.S. Cattle Industry

(WASHINGTON) – On Friday, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) released its full economic impact report of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. cattle industry, compiled by Brett Crosby of Custom Ag Solutions and BeefBasis.com. Using existing market data and futures market data, the total actual and future impact is forecast to exceed $14.6 billion. The analysis focuses on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to three …

Member Alert: Secretary Perdue Launches Beef Price Investigation

In our original letter requesting short-term, temporary relief for producers impacted by the COVID19 pandemic, USCA requested increased oversight of marketplace activities to seek out anticompetitive buying practices and other price manipulation tactics. Since then, multiple Senators have issued their own statements requesting similar investigations. We’re appreciative of those Members of Congress who have elevated this issue through press, letters, …

FSIS Responds to USCA Petition on Truthful Labeling

(WASHINGTON) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) officially responded today to the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) petition regarding accurate labeling of beef products. The petition requested FSIS to amend the Agency’s Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book to provide that any beef labeled as “Made in the USA”, “Product of the …

Member Alert: Congress Urges USDA to Provide Immediate Assistance

MEMBER ALERT: Following President Donald Trump’s signing of the $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package, nearly 150 Members of Congress penned a letter to Secretary Sonny Perdue urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to “quickly deliver relief to producers as we work to lessen the economic impact of this pandemic”. The bipartisan letter, led by Sen. John Thune (R-SD), Sen. Catherine …

Member Alert: Senate Passes COVID19 Stimulus Package

MEMBER ALERT: In the earlier hours of Thursday morning, the Senate passed the $2 trillion COVID-19 relief package on a 96-0 vote. Four Senators refrained from voting ‘out of an abundance of caution’ so as not to endanger the health of their colleagues. The House will consider the bill on Friday, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi calling for a “voice vote” …

Winter 2020 Edition

As we look ahead to what 2020 may bring, I am honored to serve as the next president of the United States Cattlemen’s Association. My term officially started upon election at the 2019 USCA Board of Directors Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. I follow in the footsteps of an incredible leader and friend, past president Kenny Graner, and am grateful …

USCA Statement on Efforts to Restore U.S. Cattle Markets

(WASHINGTON) — Following Congressional efforts to provide immediate, short-term relief for U.S. cattle producers during these historic times, United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) President Dr. Brooke Miller issued the following statement: “USCA would like to recognize efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to keep the U.S. agriculture system running as smoothly as possible and providing certainty in uncertain …