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Beltway Beef

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On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to share updates from this week’s regional fly-in that brought cattle producers to Washington, D.C. for meetings on Capitol Hill. Woodall highlights the key issues farmers and ranchers are talking about on Capitol Hill, including government funding, trade, and emerging animal health threats. Woodall also reminds listeners about the major wins for NCBA in the One Big Beautiful Bill that delivered tax relief and Farm Bill programs for American farmers and ranchers.
On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus joins to discuss Brazil’s unfair trade practices. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has initiated a section 301 investigation into Brazil’s harmful practices and NCBA testified at a hearing to raise the American cattle industry’s concerns. NCBA is calling for the U.S. to halt Brazilian beef imports due to Brazil’s concerning history of failing to report animal health issues in a timely manner. Bacus also explains why NCBA supports President Trump’s tariffs on Brazil but wants to see the Trump administration take further action to hold Brazil accountable.
NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to share the latest information on the New World screwworm and conversations happening at the NCBA Summer Business Meeting in San Diego. Woodall explains how Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins is putting America’s cattle producers first with her strong, decisive action to combat the screwworm. He further explains the importance of Secretary Rollins’ phased approach to reopening ports of entry to shipments of cattle, which supports America’s cattle producers who rely on this trade.
On this episode, fifth-generation California rancher and NCBA Past-President Kevin Kester joins to share what it was like standing with President Donald J. Trump at the White House during a press conference on the One Big Beautiful Bill. Kester explains how the One Big Beautiful Bill supports cattle farmers and ranchers by increasing the Death Tax exemption and expanding tax deduction and provisions that help producers keep more of their hard-earned money. Kester was at the White House in President Trump’s first term to support the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, but now that bill is set to expire at the end of the year. To avoid a massive tax hike, Congress must pass the One Big Beautiful Bill. Kester also shares information on NCBA’s advocacy in Washington and ways cattle producers can get involved in NCBA’s grassroots policy process.
On this episode, NCBA President Buck Wehrbein joins to share an update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) New World screwworm announcement at Moore Air Base in south Texas. Wehrbein met with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and joined her for a press conference discussing the importance of standing up a domestic screwworm sterile fly facility to help protect the American cattle herd from this devastating parasite. Wehrbein shares updates from the USDA event and highlights NCBA’s work to protect the cattle industry from New World screwworm. For the latest information, visit www.ncba.org/NWS.
On this episode, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall joins to highlight recent actions taken by both NCBA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to protect the cattle industry from New World screwworm. Woodall shares information on how screwworm threatens producers and what NCBA, state affiliates, and policymakers are doing to mitigate this threat. For the latest information about New World screwworm, visit www.NCBA.org/NWS.
On this episode, South Dakota family ranchers Charles and Heather Maude join after news that criminal charges levied against them by the Biden administration would be dropped. The Maudes explain the circumstances behind their unfair prosecution last year and share what they hope other farmers and ranchers learn from their heartbreaking experience. They also describe the experience of joining Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, and members of Congress to share their story with national media at a press conference on the front steps of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To learn more about the Maude family, visit ncba.org or publiclandscouncil.org.
On this episode, NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein joins to discuss the New World screwworm. Wehrbein explains how U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins is working to hold Mexico accountable for eradicating the screwworm and protect the American cattle herd. Wehrbein shares support for Secretary Rollins’ hard work and explains the risk screwworm poses to the cattle industry.
When you make your living on the land like everyone in the cattle business does, policy decisions that impact our natural resources are critically important. On this episode, Director of NCBA Government Affairs and the Public Lands Council Garrett Edmonds joins to share the latest information on natural resources policy in Washington. Edmonds updates listeners on the status of presidential confirmations for officials nominated to lead key land management agencies, provides information on the newly reintroduced Black Vulture Relief Act, and shares insights from recent legislative fly-ins in Washington.
On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus joins to share an update on the U.S. Treasury Department’s new interim final rule that protects small businesses, including farms and ranches, from excessive mandates under the Corporate Transparency Act. The interim rule is a sigh of relief for cattle producers who are no longer required to file invasive beneficial ownership information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Bacus explains how the Trump administration and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reeled in the Corporate Transparency Act and ensured it was focused on criminals and money launderers instead of law-abiding family farmers and ranchers. He also details NCBA’s engagement on this issue to protect cattle producers from government overreach.
On this episode, NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart joins to share an update on the Trump Administration’s new focus on Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). Hart explains how the Environmental Protect Agency (EPA) is currently accepting feedback on WOTUS with the goal of bringing regulations in line with the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision. Hart describes how NCBA has engaged on WOTUS through numerous presidential administrations and explains how cattle producers can engage directly with the EPA to shape a future WOTUS definition.
On this episode, two NCBA members join to share insights from their testimonies before Congress. Kansas Livestock Association President and cattle producer Troy Sander appeared before the House Agriculture Committee to talk about the cattle industry’s top policy priorities including passing the Farm Bill, reducing taxes, protecting the herd from New World screwworm, and protecting the Beef Checkoff. On the same day, Washington Cattlemen’s Association member and rancher Kent Clark testified before the House Natural Resources Committee on the risk that dangerous predator reintroduction has on cattle producers and rural communities. Sander and Clark share information about their personal backgrounds and their key message to policymakers.
On this episode, NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein shares an update on his testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Wehrbein explains what it was like to testify before Congress and highlights some of the key issues he focused on including the need for further tax relief, the importance of protecting the Beef Checkoff, and the need to protect the U.S. cattle herd from the New World screwworm.
On this episode, NCBA Associate Director of Government Affairs Kelsea Kemp joins to share an update on four tax bills that have been recently introduced in Congress. Together, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act, the Small Business Growth Act, the Estate Tax Rate Reduction Act, and the ALIGN Act would protect several key tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and ensure cattle producers can keep more of their hard-earned money. Kemp shares the details of each bill and explains how they fit into NCBA’s significant push on tax policy this year.
On this episode, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and NCBA Natural Resources Kaitlynn Glover joins to share an update on new legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) to help resolve land boundary disputes between private landowners and the federal government. Especially in the West, old federal survey techniques have resulted in some variation between the legal boundaries based on modern technology and historic boundary markers between private land and federal lands. These administrative discrepancies should be easy to resolve, but some have resulted in a burdensome legal process for private landowners. Senator Rounds’ bill would create a mediation process to resolve these kinds of boundary disputes and support private landowners.
On this episode, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus joins to provide an update on the preliminary injunction that has temporarily halted filing requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act and disaster tax legislation that recently passed the Senate. The Corporate Transparency Act has raised concerns for cattle producers due to complex filing requirements and high penalties. Bacus also discusses the passage of the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act, which was strongly supported by NCBA. The bill reduces taxes on disaster relief payments and helps cattle producers recover from challenging conditions.
On this episode, we are joined by NCBA Chief Veterinarian Dr. Kathy Simmons for an update on the New World screwworm. A dangerous pest that is currently making its way through South America, the New World screwworm could cause devastating impacts to the cattle industry if it enters the United States. Dr. Simmons shares critical information about how to safeguard your operation plus she explains how NCBA is advocating for additional resources to combat the screwworm. For all the latest information, please visit www.ncba.org/NWS.
On this episode, we are joined by Registered Dietitian and NCBA Executive Director of Nutrition Science Dr. Shalene McNeill for the latest on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Updated every five years, the Dietary Guidelines inform federal policies on everything from school lunches to chronic disease prevention. Unfortunately, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee is recommending that Americans reduce their consumption of red meat—including beef—and replace it with beans, peas, and lentils. Dr. McNeill explains why this recommended swap is so out-of-touch with the average American’s wallet, tastes, and available options at the grocery store. Even worse, it can have unintended consequences for the health of Americans. NCBA is raising the alarm on this development with Congress and cattle producers are encouraged to share their perspective with policymakers by texting BEEF to 52886.
With major tax legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, expiring at the end of next year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is kicking off a major push on tax policy. On this episode, NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele joins to share his personal story on taxes and how a large tax bill almost ended his lifelong dream of ranching with his family. From that experience, Eisele explains why the fight for lower taxes is so important for NCBA and he delivers a powerful message about how policymakers should address agriculture’s unique tax needs and support the economic success of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.
On this episode, we take you inside the American versus British “Battle of the Beef” hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the British Embassy in Washington. The event—attended by the British Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission, the U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator, and numerous policymakers—gave attendees the opportunity to sample high-quality American ribeye steaks and their British-raised competitors. While the event was lighthearted, it underscores NCBA’s continued efforts to open the British market to American beef. NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Bacus joins to highlight NCBA’s work to build overseas demand for beef, open new markets to American cattle producers, and connect British consumers with the high-quality American beef they crave.