The Biden-Harris administration, May 6, 2021, released a report to launch its “America the Beautiful” initiative to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and water by 2030, and promised that lands in agricultural production would be part of the effort.
White House National Climate Adviser Gina McCarthy, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimundo and Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory all participated in a joint telephone news conference announcing the launch of the initiative.
McCarthy said the initiative would last for 10 years and would begin with the establishment of an interagency working group, led by the U.S. Geological Survey, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(NAFB) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says President Biden’s proposed new capital gains tax at death would be devastating for cattle producers.
NCBA’s Danielle Beck says the taxes proposed to pay for massive infrastructure and social spending “threaten the viability” of family farming and cattle operations especially a new tax on capital gains at death that ends the ‘stepped-up basis.’
Colorado Independent CattleGrowers Association
Along with a terrible cattle market, a Colorado governor whom thinks nothing of thumbing his nose at the cattle industry, producers are now facing a potential ballot initiative that could be disastrous to cattle producers
For many cattle producers there are other levels of frustration. The now 35-year-old Beef Checkoff Act and Order that generates around $80 million annually is prohibited from making expenditures that might be used to influence government action or policy. And, certainly, a governor’s proclamation urging Colorado citizens to forego eating meat or a ballot initiative attacking cattle production could be construed as such an action or policy. Additionally the Checkoff Act and Order is prohibited from pointing out the problems and short comings of “fake meat” products. Together with its prohibition against the promotion of American beef raised by hard working American family ranchers, the Beef Checkoff has become a
Compiled by Candace Krebs
CattleCon offers scholarships, internships
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is providing scholarships to attend CattleCon, the cattle industry convention and trade show that has been scheduled for August 10-12 in Nashville, Tennessee. Scholarships are provided to farmers and ranchers and all are invited to apply. CattleCon will also feature the winner of NCBA s 7th Annual National Anthem Contest, on stage during the convention, and provide internship opportunities for students. Students can apply to be a marketing ambassador and help promote the event.
Sorghum exports hit new records
U.S. Department of Agriculture data issued this week showed U.S. sorghum exports hit a record, at 33.9 million bushels, topping the previous record by more than 10 million bushels back in August 2020. The top destination was China. In addition to record-breaking exports, new sales commitments were at 33.8 million bushels, predominantly purchased by China. The prev