Happy November all! I hope everyone is getting through their fall work and enjoying the change in seasons. Recently, Congress averted a government shutdown by passing the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act. The measure provides federal funding through December 16, 2022, and included several funding and policy provisions relevant to the livestock industry including:
- A Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program
- Livestock Mandatory Reporting Extension of Authorization
- Electronic Logging Device Exemption for Livestock Haulers
- Clean Air Act/Greenhouse Gas Reporting Prohibitions
- Greater Sage Grouse Listing Prohibition
While the stopgap spending essentially kicks the can down the road for two and a half months, it did include the key provisions noted above that will hopefully serve as a placeholder as Congress debates a broader budget deal for Fiscal Year 2023. While these provisions are all important to the industry, Congress maintaining a prohibition on listing the Greater Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act is vitally important, especially as the Dept of Interior considers new Sage Grouse Land Use Management Plans.
Also ongoing in Washington D.C. is the Sackett v EPA case. The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in the case which is a direct challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority under the Clean Water Act and what qualifies as a “navigable water”. In a nutshell, the Sacket family purchased an empty lot near Priest Lake in Idaho with plans to build a home on the property. The family began prepping the lot with gravel and dirt and were shortly thereafter notified by the EPA that they had violated the Clean Water Act by not obtaining the appropriate permits. The EPA had determined that the lot contained wetlands that qualified as “navigable waters” under the Waters of the U.S. rule.
For years, livestock producers and others have faced these same inconsistent interpretations regarding the federal governments jurisdiction over Waters of the United States. The Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA) joined an amicus brief with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and several other state cattlemen’s associations calling for a clear, limited Waters of the U.S. definition. Now that the oral argument portion of the case has concluded, the Supreme Court will hold a private conference where they will vote to decide the case. The justices will also write an opinion on the case which we expect to be released early to mid-2023. This is the fourth time that the Supreme Court has considered the definition of WOTUS and hopefully will be the last.
On a different note, I want to extend an invitation to everyone to join us in Sparks, NV at the Nugget from November 30th through December 2nd for the 87th Annual Nevada Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show. This year we are merging forces with the California Cattlemen’s Association and have a great convention planned. There will be meetings on all aspects of our industry and several general sessions with speakers presenting on items that are important to you. For more information or to register please check out https://www.nevadacattlemen.org/events-meetings
Finally, if you have heifers and steers for sale this fall/winter and are looking to get the best bang for your buck, please consider consigning them to the upcoming Silver State Classic Calf and Yearling Sale. The special sale will start at noon on December 10th at Fallon Livestock LLC in Fallon, NV. Fallon Livestock LLC donates a portion of the sale commission back to the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association which helps us represent you on the issues that matter. Till next time.
NCA 2022 Joint Annual Convention
Draft Agenda *subject to change. All agenda items located at the Nugget Casino and Resort in Sparks, NV.
Wednesday, November 30
7:00 – 6:30 p.m. CA/NV Registration Opens
7:30 – 11:30 a.m. NV Wool Grower’s Breakfast
8:00 – 10:00 a.m. NCA Animal Health Committee
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Mandatory Tradeshow Exhibitor Meeting/ Allied Industry
10:00 – 11:00 a.m. NCA Research and Education Committee Meeting
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. NV Rangeland Resources Commission
12:00 – 9:30 p.m. Tradeshow Opens
12:00 – 1:30 p.m. NV Beef Council Lunch
1:30 – 4:00 p.m. NV Central Grazing Committee Meeting
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. NV Cattlewomen’s Board of Directors Meeting
2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Media Training
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. NV Land Action Association
4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Opening General Session
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Allied Industry Wine and Cheese Reception
6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Tradeshow Welcome Party
Thursday, December 1
6:30 – 5:00 p.m. CA/NV Registration Open
7:00 – 1:00 p.m. Allied Industry Tradeshow
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Breakfast in the Tradeshow
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Bloody Mary Bar
8:00 – 10:00 a.m. General Session #2
10:00 – 12:00 p.m. NV CattleWomen General Membership Meeting
10:00 – 12:00 p.m. NCA Public Lands Committee
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch in the Tradeshow
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. General Session #3
2:00 – 3:30 p.m. NCA Private Lands & Environmental Health Committee
3:30 – 5:00 p.m. NCA Legislative Affairs Committee
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. NCA President’s Reception/ Cocktail Hour
7:00 – 10:00 p.m. NCA Awards Banquet
Friday, December 2
8:00 – 9:15 a.m. CattleFax Breakfast
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. NCA General Membership Meeting
10:45 – 12:15 p.m. NCA Board of Director’s Meeting
by Martin Paris | NCA Executive Director