House Farm Bill Fails; NCBA President Speaks Out

Courtesy National Cattlemen's Beef Association

BREAKING:

WASHINGTON  — The US House of Representatives failed to pass the 2013 Farm Bill, HR 1947, this afternoon. The vote was 195 to 234.

National Cattlemen's Beef Association President Scott George issued the following statement:

“Passage of a 2013 Farm Bill remains the top priority for NCBA. That is why we are extremely disappointed in the failure of many members of the House for not recognizing the importance of a full five-year farm bill. In the midst of the struggling economy, rural America has been one of the few bright spots. This failure by the House places cattlemen and women behind the curve on having agriculture policy which not only provides certainty for producers nationwide, but also incorporates priorities important to the cattle industry.

“We were very close in this legislation to providing disaster programs for our producers, which would have extended disaster assistance for five years and would have covered losses in 2012 and 2013. These disaster programs are essential to equipping producers with the necessary tools to manage the risks associated with catastrophic weather events. After the historic drought which has plagued the countryside for the last few years, livestock producers needed these programs now more than ever.

“NCBA appreciates the efforts of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma and Ranking Member Collin Peterson of Minnesota in attempting to move the 2013 Farm Bill forward. We continue to support passage of this legislation by the House and will work to ensure that producers receive the certainty they deserve. This was not a perfect bill for any industry, but in the end cattlemen and women made sacrifices in order to support this bill. We expected members of the House to do the same.”

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. to Sponsor BQA Certification

Courtesy Rene Ward, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica associate director of public relations and internal communications

TAMPA, Fla. — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced at its annual Convention on Feb. 6, 2013, that pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is partnering with Beef Quality Assurance to sponsor the cost of BQA certification for American cattle producers this spring.

The cost of BQA certification is normally between $25 and $50. However, between Feb. 11 and March 15, 2013, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica will defray the cost of the certification, making it free for producers.

“We’re proud to partner with BQA to bring this important certification program to more American cattlemen and dairy producers,” says David Korbelik, director of cattle marketing for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. “BQA is about monitoring and making incremental improvements throughout the life cycle to prevent disease and ensure a quality end product. We will also be working with the BQA to allow access to the training and certifica- tion program for animal health and veterinary students.”

BQA has customized programs specific to cow-calf, stocker, feedlot and dairy operations. The online modules teach sound management techniques that can be applied to producers’ operations. The cattle industry embraced BQA because it is the right thing to do, but certified producers also report improvements in efficiency and increased profitability. It also helps cattle operations sell their stories to consumers who might not understand all of the safety measures cattlemen take in producing the food on the table.

“It’s clear that Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. is committed to helping consumers understand that beef is produced in a safe and humane manner,” says Ryan Ruppert, BQA senior director. “This partner- ship will help producers learn about the latest industry advancements and demonstrate the ways they continue to provide a top-quality food product.”

He notes that BQA is the gold standard of livestock handling and animal welfare programs, and the company’s support of BQA certifica- tion demonstrates the company’s commitment to improving the industry. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. has also placed emphasis on managing herd health before problems arise to prevent issues and keep opera- tions running efficiently.

Visit the BIVI-BQA website to take advantage of this opportunity.

Japan Releases New Protocols for US Beef

Starting next month, more American beef will be crossing the border into Japan.

The Japanese government announced today that it approved new protocols for US beef imports that will allow beef from cattle slaughtered under 30 months of age. Previously, Japan would only accept US beef exports from cattle slaughtered under 20 months of age, due to concerns about Bovine Spongiform Encephalopahy.

In addition, the US and Japanese governments agreed to regular and ad hoc consultations to review progress under the protocols and address any issues that may arise.

"This is an important step forward in our relationship with Japan and [a] welcomed opportunity to expand exports into a growing market with enormous potential," Kent Bacus, National Cattlemen's Beef Association associate director of legislative affairs, said in an email message this morning. "We have been working to expand access into Japan for almost 10 years."

In 2003, Japan banned US beef following detection of a BSE-positive animal in the country. The market was partially reopened in 2006 to allow for animals slaughtered at 20 months or younger, according to information from the US Trade Representative. Five years later, in December 2011, Japan's independent Food Safety Commission initiated a risk assessment to examine raising the maximum age of US and other foreign beef and beef products for export to Japan.

The results of the risk assessment were released in October 2012. Japan and the US then entered into consultations to revise the import requirements, including raising the age of cattle allowed to 30 months or younger. The definition of specified risk materials -- certain cattle tissues that can carry the BSE agent -- was redefined as well to align more closely with international standards of the World Organization for Animal Health.

It is estimated that this protocol change will result in hundreds of millions of dollars in additional US beef exports, according to a news release from NCBA.

Above: Kari Underly demonstrates beef cutting
at a GBB workshop
Summer 2012

Japan was the second-largest export market for US beef through November 2012, totaling $849 million and nearly 130,000 metric tons, according to data from NCBA. In addition, according to US Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the agreement "goes a long way toward normalizing trade with Japan" by addressing restrictions the country introduced in response to BSE.

"This is great news for cattlemen and women and is a significat milestone in our trading relationship with Japan," NCBA President J.D. Alexander said in the news release. "Japan is a great market for US beef and we look forward to continuing to meet Japanese consumer demands."

US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack called the move a continued step in this "most successful period in history for America's agriculture sector."

"We will continue to break down barriers and expand access for high-quality, save and wholesome US food and agricultural products to Japan and around the world," Vilsack said in a Trade Representative news release.

The new trade protocols take effect Feb. 1.

2012 Farm Bill Passes Senate

After several days of debate, a consensus has been reached concerning the 2012 Farm Bill. The bill passed the Senate today by a bipartisan vote of 64 - 35. Both Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson voted against the bill feeling that it is a "Midwestern Farm Bill" that did not do enough for Southeastern crops such as cotton, peanuts and rice.

Georgia Cattlemen's Association and National Cattlemen's Beef Association were concerned with several of the 73 amendments.

First, we would like to thank every constituent who contacted their senator and shared with them the views regarding the proposed agreement between the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers. That amendment did not make the cut for Senate debate. For more information on that proposal, read our past blog post here.

Other amendments of note:

• #2276: To prohibit mandatory or compulsory checkoff programs
• FAILED 20-79
• Proposed by Jim DeMint, R-S.C.
• Opposed by NCBA and GCA
• #2479: To improve the livestock forage disaster program because of the elimination of NAP from the 2012 bill
• PASSED voice vote
• Proposed by Max Baucus, D-Mont.
• Supported by NCBA and GCA
• #2289: To reduce the Market Access Program by 20 percent
• FAILED 30-69
• Proposed by Tom Coburn, R. Okla.
• Opposed by NCBA and GCA

Also important are that the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and the research title came through in good shape, according to a message from GCA Executive Vice President Josh White.

"I was pleasantly surprised by the bipartisan efforts made to move this bill through the Senate very efficiently and without much partisan rhetoric," Colin Woodall, vice president of government affairs for NCBA, said in today's Beltway Beef newsletter. "Both Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Minority Leader Pat Roberts, R-Kan., should be commended for their leadership on this very important piece of legislation. Their transparency and willingness to listen to all vested interests was very refreshing for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and other like-minded organizations. NCBA stands firm in our commitment to support this legislation."

The Farm Bill now moves on to debate in the US House of Representatives.

How to Beef Up Your Beef Month

Georgia Beef Board sponsored a "Beef Up Your Beef Month" promotion and media training for Georgia Cattlemen's Association members on May 19.

Here's some ideas taken from the chapter roundtable discussion on how YOUR association can spread the word about our favorite protein!

• Marquees are great eye-catchers: Use at a local business or farm bureau
• Host a Beef Day for a local summer camp or vacation Bible school where students learn about cooking, nutrition and food safety
• Have a Hamburger Day or ribeye steak sandwich sale
• Visit a local festival: Ring a cowbell as you walk around and hand out recipe brochures!
• Start a local CattleWomen's chapter -- the women will talk more!
• Bring a live calf to a local library or camp to teach about beef
• Send your junior members to senior centers to talk about beef
• Help sponsor a "Cowboys for Jesus" vacation Bible school theme
• Help local Girl Scouts get their Beef badge
• Bring cattlemen to cookouts and other events: People like to put a face with their beef
• Have booths at Farmer's Markets, whether it's to sponsor a specific local farmer's product or the association
• Get at least one member ServSafe certified 
• Give out gummy hamburgers to kids during events
• Do a drawing for a sponsored or donated gift, such as a grill or steakhouse gift certificate
• Utilize members who speak other languages, especially Spanish! They can be great assets if your area has a large Hispanic population at events
• Buy those red Georgia Beef Month shopping bags to give out or sell at grocery stores
• Start a chapter Facebook or Twitter account and share GBB and GCA information on it. Even better, make it a chapter officer or specific junior responsibility to update this regularly.
• Enter local parades with beef floats
• Sponsor a freezer for a local food bank so it an give away fresh meat cuts
• Donate processed beef products, such as beef soup, to food pantries. These are easier for people to prepare than fresh beef at times.
• Sponsor banners and concessions at high school sporting events, and grill hamburgers to sell!

Whatever your chapter does to promote BEEF throughout June Beef Month (or any other time of the year!) be sure to send us pictures and a short write-up so we can include them on our social media pages, website and the Georgia Cattleman magazine.