I hope things are going well for all of you as we work our way through what is left of what seems to be a short, fast summer. Things here at the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) have been very active. We held our Board of Director’s meeting recently in conjunction with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Summer Business Meeting in Sparks, Nevada. At the NCA Board of Director’s meeting we received updates and had discussions with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Nevada Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
At the conclusion of the Board meeting, NCA geared up for and was well represented at NCBA Summer Business Meeting. The atmosphere at both meetings was positive and productive. Some of the items discussed are listed below:
- Traceability – NCBA is taking the lead on animal disease traceability discussions with USDA. These discussions are in their infancy, but the goal is to engage with USDA on potential solutions that work for our industry rather than wait for USDA to decide what works for us.
- Revisions to the Endangered Species Act- NCA recently submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on proposed changes to Section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act. The changes brought forward by USFW would allow the agency to introduce experimental populations outside a species’ historic range.
- Public Lands – While funding and holding capacity remain to be challenges regarding wild horses, Nevada BLM continues to make progress on their efforts to reach Appropriate Management Levels for the first time in decades.
- The BLM has expressed interest in revising their grazing regulations. NCA is standing by and ready to assist BLM in the formulation of new grazing regulations that focus on management flexibility.
- NCA had a chance to connect with the BLM’s new rancher liaison, Errol Rice, who reports directly to the BLM Director. We plan to keep an open line of communication with Errol and Interior leadership as we work through several different proposals.
By the time this article circulates, NCA will also have been well represented at the Public Lands Council Annual Meeting in Cody, Wyoming the last week of August. The NCBA and PLC meetings present an excellent opportunity to not only set policy important to Nevada’s livestock producers, but also connect with livestock producers in other states as well as key agency personnel. We are looking forward to another productive meeting and plan to continue to make headway on several different fronts.
Last but not least, please mark your calendars for 87th Annual Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show to be held November 30 – December 2 at the Nugget Casino and Resort in Sparks, NV. We are planning to have a well-rounded agenda at the convention that should have something for any and everyone’s interests. Most of all, we hope to provide an enjoyable experience and a good time!
Please keep checking out our website at nevadacattlemen.org for more information and don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at 775-738-9214.
by Martin Paris | NCA Executive Director