NCBA Legislative Update

CATTLE PRODUCERS SEND WOTUS LETTER TO EPA

WASHINGTON (February 7, 2021) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) submitted a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of over 1,600 cattle producers from 44 states calling for a definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) that works for the cattle industry. The letter is in response to a rule proposed by the Biden administration to repeal the Navigable Waters Protection Rule and implement new regulations on water features, including features commonly found on farms and ranches. The letter asks EPA Administrator Michael Regan to support a limited, clear definition of WOTUS that maintains agricultural exclusions and respects existing Supreme Court precedent limiting federal jurisdiction over small bodies of water. “The Biden administration’s rule repeals bipartisan exclusions for agriculture that existed under both Democratic and Republican administrations,” said NCBA Chief Environmental Counsel Scott Yager. “Without these critical exclusions, common features like stock ponds, agricultural ditches, and drainage systems can fall under federal jurisdiction, preventing cattle producers from actively managing their land and caring for their cattle.” Despite the Biden administration representing this approach as a simple repeal, the draft rule is a significant change from both the Obama-era 2015 WOTUS rule and the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule, both of which maintained these exclusions which sought to protect the farmers and ranchers who manage stock ponds and certain ditches without disruptions from the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers. “Stock ponds provide drinking water for cattle and agricultural ditches keep fields from flooding. Regulating these small features does nothing to improve water quality and makes day-to-day operations more difficult for cattle producers,” said NCBA Treasurer Joe Guild, a Nevada rancher and member of the NCBA Environmental Working Group. “Cattle producers already take steps to protect water—without government intervention—because it’s the right thing to do. Furthermore, farmers and ranchers are already doing good conservation work. I encourage the Biden administration to listen to farmers and ranchers across the country, rather than issuing top-down regulations from an office in Washington DC.” The Biden WOTUS proposal also removes exclusions for ephemeral features, or water features that only flow during rain or after snowmelt. This creates even more confusion for cattle producers who may find puddles and creeks on their property that quality as a “WOTUS” during a rainstorm but are normally dry land. NCBA’s grassroots letter is the culmination of a four-month long campaign to urge the EPA and the Biden administration to finally end the constant regulatory changes that created years of uncertainty for cattle producers. NCBA mobilized cattle producers to share their stories at EPA and Army Corps listening sessions and participate in agency roundtables. In January 2022, NCBA endorsed a report from the EPA’s Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee, which recommended developing a clear WOTUS definition, maintaining exemptions for common agricultural features, and reconsidering the EPA WOTUS roundtable process. Later in January, the Supreme Court announced that it would consider the case Sackett v. EPA and address the scope of WOTUS, leading NCBA to urge the EPA to suspend WOTUS rulemaking until the case is decided. NCBA will continue monitoring WOTUS developments in Washington and advocating for solutions that support cattle producers. In addition to the grassroots letter signed by cattle producers, NCBA and its affiliates will submit technical comments to the EPA for consideration under the rulemaking docket.

NCBA DISTURBED BY JBS ACTION, CATTLE PRODUCERS DEMAND COMPLETION OF DOJ INVESTIGATION

HOUSTON (Feb. 2, 2022) – The announcement that JBS USA has decided on a $52.5 million settlement over allegations of beef price fixing is deeply disturbing to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). NCBA was the first national organization to request a government investigation of beef markets in 2019. Now there are settlements occurring without Department of Justice (DOJ) having released findings or even providing cattle producers with an update on progress. In August 2019, following a fire at the Tyson plant in Holcomb, KS, NCBA sent a letter to USDA requesting an examination of price discrepancies in fed cattle markets. Again in 2020, NCBA took its plea directly to the White House, which then directed DOJ to investigate possible wrongdoing in the cattle markets. NCBA has also worked directly with members of Congress to press DOJ for an update and information about its investigation. “America’s cattle producers expect and deserve full transparency on any, and all, information related to the ongoing market investigations. NCBA encourages the government to finalize its investigation so we can fully understand any damage that may have been caused,” said Colin Woodall, NCBA CEO. “It is clear from this settlement that cattle producers still don’t have all the information they have demanded and is deserved. The DOJ has an obligation to finish their investigation. Cattle producers do not have years to wait for the government to determine whether there has been wrongdoing, we demand answers now.”

NCBA MEMBER TESTIFIES ON CATTLE INDUSTRY SUSTAINABILITY

WASHINGTON (February 3, 2022) – Today, NCBA member and rancher Kim Brackett testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture on the cattle industry’s leadership in sustainability and conservation practices. “Cattle producers are America’s original conservationists, and we work hard every day to ensure that we can pass our operations on to the next generation,” Brackett said. “Our family, along with cattlemen and women from across the country, are committed to remaining environmentally, economically and socially

sustainable for generations to come.” Specifically, Brackett pointed to the biodiversity benefits that come from ranchers’ land management practices, wildfire prevention and upcycling of nutrients provided by cattle grazing, and cattle producers’ continued focus on being good stewards of the land. Brackett’s testimony follows the August 2021 release of the producer-developed cattle industry sustainability goals. The goals include: 1. Demonstrate the climate neutrality of

U.S. cattle production by 2040. 2. Create and enhance opportunities that increase producer profitability and economic sustainability by 2025. 3. Enhance trust in cattle producers as responsible stewards of their animals and resources by expanding educational opportunities in animal care and handling programs to further improve animal well-being. 4. Continuously improve the cattle industry’s workforce safety and wellbeing. Brackett is a rancher based in southern Idaho. Currently, she is the chair of the National Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Board and president-elect of the Idaho Cattlemen’s Association. Previously, she served as chair of the Cattle Industry’s 2025 Long Range Plan Task Force. To view Brackett’s testimony, please visit agriculture.house.gov or click here to access the livestream. To learn more about the cattle industry sustainability goals, please visit NCBA.org/ sustainability.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef. Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or membership@beef.org.

2021 PRODUCTION SALE

BLACK is the COLORMarch 20th, 2021 1pm Eastern

2022 PRODUCTION SALE March 19th –Viewing of cattle | Live bluegrass music Vendor and sponsor booths

Prize drawings and evening meals

The most complete and elite Black Hereford March 19, 2022Cattle event in the breed! Approximately 85 lots 28 coming 2 years stout Black Hereford Bulls 9 Open Heifers 10 open show prospect Haltered heifers 15 young bred cows and 3 in ones 23 Bred Heifers

1:00pm (EST)

Friday March 18th

Cattle viewing / live bluegrass music, industry Representatives, seminar, prize drawings, and evening meal

Saturday March 19th

Viewing of cattle We would like to personally invite everyone Lunch 11:30 am (EST)to be with us for both days. This is not just Sale time 1:00pm (EST)another cattle sale, It is the Black Hereford event of the year! You don’t want to miss Triple T Farms 2616 Hwy 1664 Nancy, Kentucky 42544this. We hope that you will join us.Tim and Teresa view all lots and videos at www.tripletblackcattle.com For more information or to request a catalog *Nashville, TN and Lexington, KY Airports 606-305-2289 *Special hotel rates tripletblackherefords@gmail.com*View all the lots and videos on our website – www.tripletblackcattle.com

APPROXIMATELY 100 LOTS * For more information or to request a catalog –

Bulls and females 606-305-2289

The Most Elite and complete Black Hereford Sale event of the year. tripletblackherefords@gmail.com Real World cattle that will make you a profit* Spring breeding is just around the corner. Bring your semen tank and save on shipping. We will have semen on hand of all of our AI sires