Beltway Beef Podcasts

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.Par 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 …

NCBA’s Environmental Counsel, Mary-Thomas Hart, joins the podcast to discuss the report recently released by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC). In their report FRRCC provided recommendations that directly align with NCBA’s policy stances on several topics under EPA jurisdiction…

CEO Colin Woodall joins the podcast to discuss the work that NCBA has done on behalf of farmers and ranchers this year. He shares how the D.C. policy team worked diligently to build relationships with the new administration and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. Through fighting hard to ensure the future of farms and ranches aren’t thr…

This week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the extension of livestock mandatory reporting (LMR) through September 30, 2022 and passed the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021. NCBA has led the charge in facilitating opportunities for greater market transparency and worked with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to secure passa…

On this episode of Beltway Beef, NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane and Executive Director of Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover sit down for a conversation with Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources Bruce Westerman. As a forester by trade, he understands the real-life impact of the land management decisions be…

Dr. Scott Barao, of Hedgeapple Farm in Maryland, discusses how environmental stewardship is part of the DNA of farmers and ranchers across the country. He takes great pride in implementing conservation practices on his farm and uses sound science to back his management decisions. Like many cattle producers across the U.S., despite his focus on cons…

NCBA President Jerry Bohn joins the podcast to discuss his year as president and how engagement from young farmers and ranchers will be critical for the success of the beef industry. In addition, Bohn — a veteran himself — reflects on the the sacrifice many have made to preserve freedom in our country and thanks all NCBA members who have served.…

Director of Field Services Dusty Holley and First Vice President Pat Durden of Florida Cattlemen are back to discuss how unnecessary and burdensome Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations adversely affect farmers and ranchers across the U.S. On this episode, they discuss the significant investments farmers and ranchers make in conservation …

On this episode, Florida Cattlemen Director of Field Services Dusty Holley and First Vice President Pat Durden discuss how Waters of the United States (WOTUS) regulations impact farmers and ranchers across the U.S. They explain why government overreach poses significant challenges for farmers and ranchers and share why it's important for lawmakers …

This week, we are joined by Dr. Dave Daley, chair of NCBA's Federal Lands Committee. As a fifth-generation California rancher, Daley has firsthand experience regarding the impact of federal lands regulations on the cattle industry. Daley discusses the critical role ranchers play in wildfire mitigation and the conservation of millions of acres of la…

NCBA president and Kansas cattlemen Jerry Bohn joins the podcast to discuss the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021 introduced by Congressmen Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX). If enacted, this legislation would establish a cattle contract library under USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. NCBA has long advocated for greater transpare…

NCBA Vice President Todd Wilkinson joins the podcast after testifying at the House Agriculture Committee’s hearing on the current state of the livestock industry. Wilkinson’s comments centered around the top issues facing the U.S. cattle industry – transparency, processing capacity, price discovery, and oversight. Throughout the hearing, he explain…

Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane joins the podcast to give an update on top issues facing members of Congress this week, including funding the federal government, the bipartisan infrastructure bill and continued discussion regarding the reconciliation bill. Lane also clarifies rumors about a potential methane tax and reminds listener…

NCBA Vice President Todd Wilkinson and Senior Executive Director of Government Affairs Danielle Beck give an update on the reconciliation bill and how recent proposals to changes in the federal tax code could affect farmers and ranchers.Par National Cattlemen's Beef Association

NCBA Environmental Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart discusses the EPA announcement to rescind Trump administration guidance interpreting the County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund Supreme Court decision. In this case, the Supreme Court found that the Clean Water Act may be applied to “indirect” discharges from point sources to Waters of the United States, …

Lane joins the podcast to give an update on D.C. issues, including BSE cases found in Brazil, continued conversations regarding changes to federal tax policy and the Biden administration's press conference regarding consolidation in the meatpacking sector.Par National Cattlemen's Beef Association