Page 3 - MWC 8-10-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · August 10, 2023 · P3

August 10, 2023 Volume 29 No. 6

CATTLE PRICE STRENGTH MARCHES ON THE COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR EPA TO
By Josh Maples, Mississippi State University Extension REVISE WOTUS
Cattle prices have been for that strength to continue By Jim Wiesemeyer
on a strong ride in 2023. into 2024. EPA is facing a regulatory
Many producers will be sell- The chart below shows fu- countdown for amendments
ing spring-born calves in tures contract quotes for all to the "Revised Definition of
the coming months and are of the currently traded CME 'Waters of the United States'"
likely to be much happi- contracts. Futures contracts (WOTUS) rule.
er with the revenue earned are standardized, and each EPA has now submitted a
than they were when selling contract terminates on the package of amendments to
calves during the past few last Thursday of the contract the Office of Management
years. Feeder cattle prices in month. For feeder cattle, one and Budget (OMB) for their
the Southeast are up roughly contract is 50,000 pounds review, although the specif-
40-50% above year-ago levels and the CME Feeder Cattle ics of these changes have not
and current expectations are continued on page 25 been disclosed. This action the issues of the case more
follows a restriction placed effectively, enabling those
on EPA's power to regulate involved in the lawsuit to
wetlands by the U.S. Su- respond to the revised rule
preme Court. without engaging in unwar-
Additionally, the EPA has ranted litigation.
won a reprieve to postpone EPA is expected to release
its appeal against an injunc- the new rule by Sept. 1, with
tion that stopped the enforce- a deadline from the court to
ment of the WOTUS rule in offer a progress report on the
24 states, as guided by a ver- matter by Sept. 15.
dict from the Eight Circuit EPA has a deadline from
Court of Appeals. The rule's the Eight Circuit Court of
enforcement has also been Appeals to offer a progress
halted in Texas and Idaho. report on the Waters of the
Through a court filing, the U.S. rule by Sept. 15.
EPA has proposed that their Drovers
amended rule could focus
MISSOURI PASSES NEW FELONY LAW TO
PROTECT LIVESTOCK TRANSPORT
SENATE VOTES TO LIMIT FOREIGN LAND By Paige Carlson
OWNERSHIP
By Jenna Hoffman Animal activists look for misdemeanor theft by a Mer-
Roughly 37.6 million acres land could come to an end fol- ways to disrupt the livestock ced County jury.
of U.S. ag land is foreign lowing a recent Senate vote. industry, especially during However, in the state of
owned, according to USDA. The U.S. Senate voted 91-7 transport. Missouri, those interfering
The majority of these deeds in favor of an amendment Unfortunately, some get with the shipping of livestock
are held by Canada, Nether- to the National Defense Au- away with it. For example, will now face a felony offense,
lands, Italy, United Kingdom, thorization Act of 2024 that, two animal rights activists following Missouri Gov. Mike
Germany and China. Howev- if made law, would prohibit “rescuing” two chickens from Parson's approval of the bill,
er, select purchases of U.S. China, Russia, North Korea a Foster Farms truck in Liv- "Offense of Interference with
and Iran from ingston, Calif., in September Transportation of Livestock,"
purchasing U.S. 2021, were found not guilty of continued on page 10
land.
Also included
in the amend- Coming Sales-30
ment is a re- Life is Simple-5
quirement for Market Report-8
the president
to submit a re- Agribusiness
port to Congress Directory-28
Roughly 37.6 million acres of U.S. ag land is foreign owned, on any waiver
according to USDA. However, select purchases of U.S. land
could come to an end following a recent Senate vote.
continued on page 12