News Update

January 24, 2017

Cattlemen Respond to Trump Administration’s Trade Action

Tracy Brunner, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Jan. 23 released the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement that he is withdrawing the United States from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal and may seek to take action on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA):

“TPP and NAFTA have long been convenient political punching bags, but the reality is that foreign trade has been one of the greatest success stories in the long history of the U.S. beef industry.

“Fact is American cattle producers are already losing out on $400,000 in sales every day because we don’t have TPP, and since NAFTA was implemented, exports of American-produced beef to Mexico have grown by more than 750%. We’re especially concerned that the Administration is taking these actions without any meaningful alternatives in place that would compensate for the tremendous loss that cattle producers will face without TPP or NAFTA.”

For more information, view the NCBA news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

NFU Statement on U.S. Withdrawal
from Trans-Pacific Partnership

A staunch opponent of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, National Farmers Union (NFU) applauded the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the deeply flawed TPP trade agreement.

NFU President Roger Johnson released the following statement in response:

“The Trans-Pacific Partnership was a continuance of our nation’s deeply flawed trade agenda, and we’re pleased that the Trump Administration has decided to formally withdraw the U.S. from the pact to prioritize a fair trade agenda.

“For too long, our nation’s trade negotiators have prioritized a free trade over fair trade agenda, leading to a massive $531 billion trade deficit, lost jobs and lowered wages in rural communities across America. It’s time our country refocuses the trade agenda to prioritize balanced trade, U.S. sovereignty, and U.S. family farmers, ranchers and rural communities. The Trump Administration should look to do so with a level of tact that does not motivate our trade partners to take retaliatory actions or threaten the integrity of positive trade markets that American agriculture relies upon.”

— Adapted from a release by the National Farmers Union.

Executive Order Delays All Pending Final Rules

On Friday, Jan. 21, the Trump Administration directed agencies to delay by 60 days all new rules that have yet to be implemented.

The delaying of new rules is relatively normal for an incoming administration and is meant to allow a better review of those rules that have not yet gone into effect. Included amongst the delayed rules are the “Farmer Fair Practices Rules” (FFPR), also know as the “GIPSA rules.” These rules are critical for the protection of American farmers and ranchers, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) urges the Administration to complete their review as swiftly as possible.

Nearly 100 years ago the Packers and Stockyards Act was passed to promote fair business practices, ensure competitive markets, protect consumers and oversee payment practices.

For more information, view the NSAC news release online.

— Adapted from a release by the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

NJAA Members, Upcoming Events

National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members can look forward to a number of activities and events in the upcoming New Year, and there’s no better time to start making plans for 2017.

That’s according to American Angus Association Director of Events and Education Jaclyn Clark, who is encouraging NJAA members to reference their “green books,” which were recently distributed through the mail, to submit event registration in a timely manner.

“We’re looking forward to hosting Angus juniors for two Raising the Bar conferences in March and April, as well as during annual events such as the National Junior Angus Show and Leaders Engaged in Angus Development conference,” Clark says.

This year, Raising the Bar conferences will be hosted in Baton Rouge, La., March 2-5 and Des Moines, Iowa, April 6-9. The tentative schedule for both conferences includes a campus tour, educational workshops, farm and ranch tours, as well as social activities and games.

For more information, view the Angus news release online.

— Adapted from a release by Jena McRell, Angus Media.

President Myers, Flinchbaugh to Headline Cattlemen’s Day

The Kansas State University (K-State) Animal Sciences and Industry Department will host Cattlemen’s Day 2017 Friday, March 3, at Weber Hall in Manhattan. New K-State President Richard Myers will kick off the event sharing his vision for the university.

“We’re excited and honored to have President Myers join us for Cattlemen’s Day,” said Dale Blasi, K-State professor and beef cattle extension specialist. “Following Gen. Myers, Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh, K-State professor emeritus, will share his thoughts regarding ag policy in a new federal administration. Both presentations will set the stage as we move into the program theme of ‘Beef Cattle Economics Trilogy: Beef Industry Outlook, Drivers of Profitability and Better Use of Farm Management Budgets.’”

The day starts at 8 a.m. with refreshments, educational exhibits and a commercial trade show.

For more information, visit the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.

— Adapted from a release by Angie Stump Denton, Kansas State University Department of Animal Sciences and Industry.

— Compiled by Paige Nelson, field editor, Angus Media.