RISING TO THE TOP in the Big Easy
Traceability, California leaders and the hit show Yellowstone make headlines at the 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Tradeshow by CCA Director of Communications Katie Roberti The 2023 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Tradeshow headed back to New Orleans in early February—the first time the gathering has been held in “The Big Easy,” as the city is commonly referred to, since 2019. Notably, past CCA president and California rancher Kevin Kester, Parkfield, was NCBA’s outgoing president the last time the event was held in New Orleans. Plenty of seafood, jazz music, visits to historic sites and beignets were consumed by almost 7,000 cattlemen, cattlewomen, allied industry professionals and friends of the industry, including over 100 Californians, who made their way to Louisiana for the multi-day event. However, sandwiched between all the fun and treats, attendees partook in hours of meetings accomplishing the business that needed to get done. TOP PRIORITIES NCBA’s 2023 policy priorities were released on Wednesday of the convention week following the approval of the Association’s executive committee. “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,” NCBA’s 2023 President Todd Wilkinson said. “Cattle producers have been caretakers of the land and livestock for decades and are committed to conserving this country’s natural resources while producing high-quality beef.” As outlined in a press release from NCBA, the policy priorities for the year ahead are: • Securing reauthorization of animal health 18 California Cattleman March 2023
provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and advocating for expanded funding of the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB) to protect against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD); • Protecting and funding EQIP, CSP and other voluntary conservation programs that incentivize science-based, active management of natural resources; • Protecting the cattle industry from regulatory attacks under Waters of the United States, the Endangered Species Act, emissions reporting and more. The day before being announced, these priorities, among others, were previewed for attendees by eight staff members of NCBA’s Washington, D.C., office. During this “D.C. Issues Update,” attendees heard what exactly NCBA has been focusing on and will be keeping their eyes on in the months to come as the second half of the Biden Administration’s term plays out. NCBA’s Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane moderated the conversation, bringing up these policy priorities and others that the staff is prioritizing. Additionally, attendees could ask follow-up questions at the end of the session. Cattle markets, climate and natural resources, international trade and a host of other subjects continued to be addressed throughout the week. However, each year at this annual meeting, one or two topics usually rise to the top and stand out. At the 2021 and 2022 Cattle Industry Conventions, policies on live cattle marketing led deliberations.