National Cattlemen's Beef Association: Post-Election Focus and Future Plans

The content of this blog is derived from my interview with Ethan Lane-Vice President of Government Affairs, National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

We recently had the opportunity to speak with Ethan Lane from the National Cattleman's Beef Association (NCBA) about the organization's current focus and future plans. With the recent election and the transition into a new administration, there are several key areas that NCBA is concentrating on.

Transition into the New Administration

A few weeks post-election, much of NCBA's focus is on the transition into the new Trump administration. The organization is closely monitoring the lame-duck session to see what might be possible during this period. With Republicans looking forward to a more favorable playing field in the 119th Congress, there is a strong emphasis on clearing the decks of pending issues like the Farm Bill, which is still not finalized. NCBA is hopeful that there might be an opportunity to land the Farm Bill during the lame-duck session.

Key Legislative Priorities

One of the critical legislative priorities for NCBA is the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is set to expire. This act has significant implications for producers across the country, particularly concerning estate tax levels and important deductions like 179 and 199A. Preserving these critical tools for producers is a top priority for NCBA as they head into the next year. The organization is optimistic that House leadership is prepared to tackle this issue, and they look forward to engaging in this conversation.

Preparing for the New Administration

The transition into the new administration is unique because the president and his team have prior experience. This familiarity allows them to move quickly and professionally, getting key names out and socializing them. This preparation benefits agriculture and other stakeholders, providing an opportunity to communicate their priorities to the new administration. NCBA is focused on identifying regulatory items from the previous administration that they would like to see revisited in the first hundred days of the new administration.

EPA Regulations and Manure Management

With Lee Zeldin from New York stepping in as the new head of the EPA, there is anticipation about how this will impact regulations, particularly concerning manure management. The new administration is expected to return more regulatory control to the states, reducing federal involvement in on-farm activities. This shift aligns with the broader theme of the Trump administration's approach to governance. Additionally, the elimination of Chevron deference as a standard in the federal court system has changed the regulatory landscape, limiting what agencies can do without explicit congressional intent. This change will be tested in real time, and stakeholders, including NCBA, will be closely monitoring its impact.

Listen to the Full Interview Here: https://youtu.be/kpOr2s1lAxs