I hope everyone is having a good spring season. Turn out time is in full swing on many ranches. Often times Mother Nature reminds us of who is in charge and this year is no different. As I write this column, 90% of Nevada falls under one of the 5 U.S. Drought Monitor categories. Looking back at this same time last year, drought conditions appear to be less severe but grueling, nonetheless. I am hoping some moisture falls and conditions are much better by the time this article circulates.
Typically, this time of year NCA is in in Washington D.C. participating in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council Annual Legislative Conference where we meet with members of our Congressional delegation and other agency folks to discuss issues important to Nevada’s livestock producers. However, typical seems anything but that these days.
Unfortunately, lingering COVID-19 restrictions in Washington D.C. made it nearly impossible to organize the event at this time, but the Public Lands Council was able to hold a successful Virtual Legislative Conference. During the conference we heard from USFWS Director Martha Williams, USFS Chief Randy Moore, and BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning. We also had the change to discuss natural resources in the 117th Congress with several congressional representatives.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continues to review the scoping comments received regarding an update to the 2015 and 2019 Sage Grouse Management Plans. There doesn’t appear to be a firm timeline on when a draft of the new potential plan will be available, but NCA continues to engage with BLM on the relevant science and actions required to achieve the desired outcome.
BLM also continues to discuss a possible second look at the current grazing regulations. While the timing of release of new regulations is also unclear, it looks like it may be coming sooner rather than later. I’ll be sure to keep you all in the loop as new information comes forward, but NCA looks forward to continuing the push for more flexibility. As we all know, no two years or no two ranches are exactly the same. In many cases the current grazing regulations are the very thing that prohibit producers from being able to manage livestock grazing in a way that is beneficial to both the producer and our rangelands.
The cattle industry is in a very critical time right now whether it be inflation, drought, wildfire, market issues, wildlife management, special land designations, etc.… The list seems to go on and on and can seem daunting at times. However, I remind myself that we are still here. Here as an Association, as producers, as people sustainably trying to feed an ever-growing population.
Even when the deck seems stacked against us, I have confidence that between our Association, agency personnel, representatives, and other partners that we will come out the other side of these challenging issues on top. Coming out on top requires engagement and lots of it and that’s what NCA intends to do.
As always, if we can be of help in any way give us a call and please check out our website at nevadacattlemen.org as we are constantly updating it.
by Martin Paris | NCA Executive Director