I've been in Montana this week at the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) summer meeting, missing our cattle auction in Fallon for the first time since we opened in 2006, 18 years ago. That's how strongly I feel about getting the Mandatory Electronic Animal ID shut down. I was nervous that USCA was either going to vote not to support Harriet Hageman's (WY) bill to block MEID or possibly to stay neutral.
Fortunately, after a vote of the board members USCA agreed to support Hageman's bill. The Livestock Marketing Association was at our meeting as well and unfortunately, they say they have to stay neutral on MEID over 18 months. They say they have written policy to strongly oppose ALL MEID under 18 months, but as I have tried to explain several times, if we give USDA an inch of this government overreach, they are going to take a foot.
This MEID is much bigger than disease traceability. That's just the excuse they are using to infringe on American citizens’ rights. This is about climate change, carbon credits, carbon taxes, food control, and, ultimately, the control of the American people. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has made it their goal to help the American cattle industry be carbon neutral by 2030. As one would assume, NCBA is for mandatory EID. So far, it looks like LMA is neutral, NCBA is for, and RCALF & USCA are against mandatory EID. Our Montana meeting was in conjunction with the Montana Stockgrowers Association, which is an NCBA affiliate.
Because we are so divided on industry issues it was agreed upon by the organizations to NOT talk about MCOOL, CHECKOFF or the Cattle Market Transparency Act. Because these different industry organizations are so polarized on the issues, they decided to try to come together to work on issues they can agree upon, such as estate taxes, young farmer participation, and labor issues. The end of Trump’s estate tax cuts are going to sunset in 2025, and that will be detrimental to the Livestock industry.
Headed back to Nevada early this morning. Still trying to get cattle to the mountains and late-born calves branded. Hoping we don't have any catastrophic wildfires. Sad what's happening in Oregon. The government won't let ranchers run cows anymore and ranchers are partly to blame because even on their private land they seem to be in a competition to see who can leave the most grass behind annually. Graze it or burn it. It's our choice. That ties back into this Producer Profitability forum. If the government woke up tomorrow and admitted they were wrong about cutting grazing and asked the ranchers to triple their livestock numbers to reduce fuels, very few ranchers would be in the financial position to do so. That's why it's important to fix these broken cattle markets now before they drop off again. This higher market is a direct result of poor policies and low profits over so many years.
I ask producers to support Hageman's bill and be watchful and critical of industry leaders and their motivations. Money corrupts so many. Connect the dots and like I always say, if there are two buzzards on the fence and a third bird lands next to them, rarely will it be a dove. Most likely, it's another buzzard. Not everyone wants you to be successful; not everyone wants you to pass your ranch on to your kids. They hope you go broke so they can buy your ranch for pennies on the dollar. It's important you get involved yourself and not just trust the big hats to handle the industry issues for you because you are too busy. Be watchful and be smart. Let's hope this cattle market keeps going strong, but if you are nervous like me, it's time to buy an LRP.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and urge your Senators and Representatives to help stop the Mandatory Electronic Animal ID mandate.
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