U.S. Cattle Producers Support Senate Legislation to Repeal Death Tax

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) strongly supports legislation introduced today by Sen. John Thune (R-SD) to repeal the federal estate tax, commonly referred to as the Death Tax.

“No cattle producer should ever be forced to sell their family’s farm or ranch to pay a tax bill due to the death of a family member. Repealing the Death Tax is a commonsense way to keep the farm or ranch in the family,” said NCBA President and South Dakota cattle producer Todd Wilkinson. “As a land-based, capital-intensive...

NCBA Grateful for Senate Passage of Resolution to Stop WOTUS Rule

Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer, released a statement commending the U.S. Senate for passing a resolution to stop the Biden administration’s latest Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule:

“The bipartisan passage of this resolution sends a clear message to the Biden administration that this is not how Congress intended to implement the Clean Water Act. Now, President Biden has a choice: he can sign the resolution and pull back the unlawfully vague WOTUS rule, or he can veto it and...

NCBA Concerned with District Court Decision to Let Harmful WOTUS Rule Stand

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) expressed strong disappointment in a decision by the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas to deny a nationwide preliminary injunction that would have halted the Biden administration’s harmful Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule from taking effect.

“This latest WOTUS rule will place more burdens on family farms and ranches, drive up costs, and prevent cattle producers like me from making investments in our land,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer...

NCBA Welcomes Introduction of Black Vulture Relief Act

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed the introduction of the bipartisan Black Vulture Relief Act, led by Rep. John Rose (R-TN) and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL).

“Across the country, cattle producers are coping with extreme input costs and the worst inflation rate in 40 years. Livestock deaths due to black vultures are a financial loss that no one can afford right now,” said NCBA Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes. “Giving producers greater flexibility on black vulture management means one less financial burden to worry about...

NCBA Hails House Passage of Resolution to Stop WOTUS Rule

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hailed the passage of H.J. Res. 27, a joint resolution that would invalidate the Biden administration’s new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule through the Congressional Review Act.

“This vote is a win for America’s cattlemen and women, and NCBA is thrilled to see a majority of House members reject the Biden administration’s burdensome WOTUS rule,” said NCBA President Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer. “Shifting WOTUS rules have plagued cattle producers for generations, and this latest rule only continues the...

USDA Deputy Secretary Shares Updates at Cattle Industry Convention

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) welcomed U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh to the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show.

“We appreciate the working relationship NCBA has with Deputy Secretary Bronaugh, especially as our focus turns to reauthorization of critical components of the Farm Bill like animal health, voluntary conservation, and risk management programs,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “NCBA will continue building relationships with USDA leadership so we can work together on addressing the issues facing the...

NCBA Sues Biden Administration to Overturn Lesser Prairie Chicken Listing

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has filed a Notice of Intent to sue the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) over the listing of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act. This is the first step in court toward overturning the listing and revoking FWS’s final rule for both the Northern and Southern Distinct Population Segments (DPS).

“The lesser prairie chicken only survives today because of the voluntary conservation efforts of ranchers,” said NCBA Associate Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes...

NCBA Announces Lawsuit Against Biden Administration WOTUS Rule

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenging the Biden administration’s final “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule.

“The Biden administration’s WOTUS definition is an attack on farmers and ranchers and NCBA will be fighting back in court,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “The rule removes longstanding, bipartisan exclusions for small and isolated water features on farms and ranches and adds to the regulatory burden cattle producers are facing under this administration. We look forward to challenging...

NCBA Announces Policy Committee Leaders

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced the appointment of key cattle industry leaders to serve on the association’s policy committees. The policy committees review, discuss, and vote on policy resolutions brought forward by NCBA members. These grassroots policies guide NCBA’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C.

“Policy committee leaders play a crucial role in directing NCBA’s advocacy efforts and addressing the issues facing the cattle industry,” said NCBA President-Elect Todd Wilkinson, a South Dakota cattle producer. “As a grassroots organization, we rely on volunteer leaders to...

Forum Reaffirms Beef Industry’s Commitment to Sustainable Future

Everyday cattle producers across the country reaffirm their commitment to protecting environmental resources, supporting communities and creating an economically viable future through effective management practices. The “Beef Sustainability Forum – Continuing our Commitment to a Sustainable Future,” sponsored by Elanco, will be held on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 12:30 p.m. in New Orleans to highlight the industry’s sustainability efforts.

Moderated by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall, the panel discussion will include opening remarks from Katie Cook, Elanco’s vice president of global farm animal...

NCBA Statement On New WOTUS Rule

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s finalized Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule.

“For too long, farmers and ranchers have dealt with the whiplash of shifting WOTUS definitions. Today, the Biden administration sought to finalize a WOTUS definition that will protect both our nation’s water supply and cattle producers across the nation,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “While the rule retains longstanding, bipartisan WOTUS exclusions for certain agricultural features, it creates new uncertainty for farmers, ranchers and landowners across the nation...