News Update
June 25, 2015
Senate Finalizes TPA,
Sends to President's Desk
On June 24, the Senate took the final vote needed to send Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to the President for his signature. Passing by a vote of 60-38, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Philip Ellis hails the final passage.
“NCBA appreciates the support of the Senate on final passage of Trade Promotion Authority, a fundamental step to securing future free-trade deals that will allow beef producers greater access to foreign markets,” Ellis said. “Cattlemen and women have seen tremendous value in trade, exporting over $7.1 billion worth of U.S. beef in 2014, which alone accounts for over $350 in added value per head of cattle in the United States. This value is not just from increased demand but also from adding value to variety meats that have very limited value here at home.”
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman also applauded the Senate’s decision: “The Senate’s bipartisan passage of Trade Promotion Authority today sends a strong signal to foreign governments that we mean business at the bargaining table and are ready to complete new agreements that will break down trade barriers and open new markets from Asia to Europe.”
For more information, please view the full NCBA release and the AFBF release.
Flat Andy Prepares for Tulsa with NJAA Members
The 2015 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) is right around the corner, and Flat Andy needs help from National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members to find his way to the show, which takes place July 13-17, in Tulsa, Okla.
As NJAA members prepare for and make their way to the show, they are encouraged to document the process by taking photos along the way with Flat Andy’s help and posting them to the NJAA’s social media accounts. Members who send in photos of Flat Andy will have an opportunity to win great prizes. Third place will receive an Angus gift pack, second place will receive a $25 iTunes gift card, and the first-place Flat Andy photo entry will receive a Kindle Fire.
For details on how to submit your Flat Andy photo, read the full release online.
Nominate Angus Delegates
Less than a week remains to nominate delegates to represent each state or district at the 2015 American Angus Association Convention of Delegates set for Nov. 5 in Overland Park, Kan.
Signed nominations must be received in the Association office no later than 4:30 p.m. CDT on June 30 to be included on the final ballot.
Each active life and active regular Association membership should have received a nomination form in the mail and may nominate one member from his or her state or district. All eligible nominations will be included on a ballot that will be mailed to active life and regular members in July for the final selection of delegates.
For more information on the nomination process, read the full release online.
Farm Bureau Urges Senate to Repeal COOL
Requirements on Beef, Chicken and Pork
Iowa Farm Bureau President and American Farm Bureau Federation Board Member Craig Hilloo testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee June 25 on the risks American farmers and ranchers face in light of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) ruling against mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for beef and pork sold in the United States.
“Farm Bureau clearly hoped the WTO would rule in favor of the United States on the regulatory changes made to COOL in recent years,” Hill, a grain and livestock farmer from Milo, Iowa, said. “But the writing on the proverbial wall is clear: that was not the outcome.
“We urge the Senate to act quickly to repeal the COOL requirements for beef, pork and chicken and prevent Canada and Mexico from taking retaliatory actions that will impact farmers and ranchers all across the nation.
“American Farm Bureau supports country-of-origin labeling that meets WTO requirements, and we appreciate that remaining COOL programs are being kept in place. The risk of retaliation by Canada and Mexico is too great. U.S. farmers and ranchers could suffer a serious blow if decisive action is not taken.”
USCA Testifies Before Senate Committee Hearing on COOL
USCA Testifies Before Senate Committee Hearing on COOL
United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) Director Emeritus Leo McDonnell testified June 25 before the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee during a hearing titled, “COOL and Trade Retaliation: What’s at Stake for America’s Farmers, Ranchers, Businesses and Consumers.” McDonnell’s statements were the sole testimony provided at the hearing supporting COOL.
McDonnell’s testimony represented cattle producers from across the country as he recounted his life’s work in developing his own registered-Angus herd in addition to building what has become the largest genetically-tested bull development and bull sale in North America, Midland Bull Test. Leo’s work is a testament to the pride and ownership felt by U.S. producers in establishing the right to promote and distinguish their product in the marketplace.
McDonnell stated, “Since the late 1980’s ranchers have been told that they need to be prepared to compete in the growing global marketplace. Without question, being able to differentiate our product is fundamental to competing on a global scale. COOL provides a mechanism by which to do just that.”
For more information, please view the full U.S. Cattlemen’s Association release.
Editor’s Note: The articles used within this site represent a mixture of copyrights. If you would like to reprint or repost an article, you must first request permission of Angus Productions Inc. (API) by contacting the editor at 816-383-5200; 3201 Frederick Ave., Saint Joseph, MO 64506. API claims copyright to this web site as presented. We welcome educational venues and cattlemen to link to this site as a service to their audience.