(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 …
(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 …
(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 …
(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 …
(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 …
(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. …
(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 …
(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 …
The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is encouraged by the Senate Commerce Committee’s leadership on the issue of broadband expansion to address some of the challenges associated with COVID-19. The pandemic has made it clear that U.S. cattle producers must be able to access reliable broadband service to preserve their livelihoods. The benefits of expanded broadband go beyond agricultural business …
(WASHINGTON) – On Wednesday, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue urging the prioritization of the U.S. beef and cattle industry over foreign product during the COVID-19 pandemic. USCA President Brooke Miller issued the following statement to accompany the letter: “If bold and immediate action is not taken in the coming weeks, …
(MAY 6, 2020) – Momentum continues to build for the proposal to require a minimum percentage of cash negotiated cattle to be bought by each U.S. meat processing facility that is large enough to report to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) President Brooke Miller issued the following statement: “Nearly 4,000 individual producers have signed on in …
(APRIL 30) – U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Michael Bennet led a bipartisan letter this week to Senate Commerce Committee leaders requesting consideration of hours-of-service rules (HOS) reform for livestock haulers within surface transportation reauthorization legislation. The letter states,”…in the absence of congressional action, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Public Law 114-94) is set to expire on September …