Industry Reacts to USDA’s Proposed "Product of USA" Requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a proposed rule featuring new regulatory requirements for the “Product of USA” label claim.

The rule would allow for the “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” label to be used on meat, poultry and egg products only when they are derived from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.

The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) said the USDA’s latest proposal would “result in trade retaliation from Canada and Mexico costing American consumers and businesses billions of dollars...

NCBA Condemns House and Senate Bills Aimed at “Checkoff Reform”

Legislation introduced today in the House and Senate represents nothing more than another attempt to allow activists to dictate to producers. Sens. Booker and Warren have long been supported by animal rights groups, and this collective group of bill sponsors has worked long and hard to dismantle our industry’s only self-funded promotion and education effort. Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), and their partners Sens. Rand Paul, (R-Ky.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the Senate bill. Reps...

“Onward to Orlando” for 2024 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show

While the largest cattle industry event in the country wrapped up only a few weeks ago, plans are already underway to get “Onward to Orlando.” Mark your calendars for the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, which is heading to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, January 31-February 2.

Thousands of cattlemen and women will gather to learn, conduct business, network and have fun. In a city known for sun and family fun, entertainment will also delight kids of all ages...

South Dakota Cattleman Becomes New NCBA President

Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota native, cow-calf producer and cattle feeder became the new NCBA president during the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention, held this week in New Orleans. Wilkinson, along with his son, operates Wilkinson Livestock in De Smet, South Dakota. He has also practiced law for almost four decades and specializes in business transactions, estate planning and probate, real estate matters and agricultural law.

“If you run into me across the country, one thing that I will say time and again is if you’re going to be...

CattleFax Forecasts Producer Profitability in 2023 with Potential Drought Relief for the West

The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans, shared expert market and weather analysis today.

Prices and profitability will again favor cattle producers in 2023. The cattle industry is entering 2023 with the smallest cattle supply since 2015 as drought caused the industry to dig deeper into the supply of feeder cattle and calves. While the exact path to drought relief is unknown, improvements are also expected to translate to moderating feed costs, especially...

NCBA Announces 2023 Policy Priorities

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) executive committee approved the organization’s policy priorities at the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, with a focus on advancing animal disease preparedness, protecting voluntary conservation programs, and defending producers from regulatory overreach.

“Our focus is helping to create opportunity for America’s cattle producers and fighting to make sure the federal government does not damage our industry,” said NCBA President-Elect Todd Wilkinson. “Cattle producers have been caretakers of the land and livestock for decades and are committed to conserving this country’s natural resources while producing...

Graduate Students Recognized Through 2022 W.D. Farr Scholarship

Colorado State University graduate students Ashley Schilling of Timnath, Colorado, and Lane Giess, of Pierz, Minnesota, have each been awarded a $15,000 W.D. Farr Scholarship by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF). The annual W.D. Farr Scholarship program, established by NCF in 2007, recognizes outstanding graduate students who plan to pursue careers furthering the beef industry.

Schilling and Giess were selected from 21 applicants based on their academic achievements, leadership and commitment to the advancement of the beef industry. They will be recognized during the...