Page 14 - MWC 03-11-2021

LEGISLATION The Midwest Cattleman · March 11, 2021 · P14
continued from page 3
(I-Maine), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), cal in securing our nation’s food USCA Independent Process- viding the technical assistance
Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Bob Casey supply, and by offering this tech- ing Committee Chairman Pat- and cost-share programs needed
(D-Penn.), and Kevin Cramer (R- nical and financial assistance, we rick Robinette of North Carolina to increase independent meat
N.D.). can better help set them up for added: “USCA members are inde- processing capacity. USCA sup-
United States Cattlemen’s As- success. pendent local, state, and federal ports the solutions brought forth
sociation (USCA) Vice President "With only four multination- meat processors that work every by Congresswoman Pingree in
Justin Tupper of South Dakota al meatpacking companies con- day to ensure that American this bill to strengthen the secu-
issued the following statement: trolling over 80 percent of the beef is widely available on every rity of our nation’s food supply.”
“The United States Cattle- meatpacking business in this American plate. We value the in-
men’s Association appreciates country, expanding the reach of dependent processors’ role in our Drovers
the leadership of Senator Thune independent processors brings supply chain and seek out oppor-
in advancing this legislation to more competition to the market- tunities for them to be successful
support our independent meat place – resulting in better pric- in their operations.
processing sector. Local and re- es for producers and consumers "The Strengthening Local Pro-
gional meat processors are criti- AND a more resilient food system.” cessing Act does just that by pro-

BLM RESCINDS and truncated public process” Congress is considering Pres- mum sentences for setting fire
continued from page 3 cut out opportunities for public ident Biden’s choice of Deb Haa- to public land where they had
participation required by law. land as the new Interior secre- grazing rights. Both were con-
more than 26,000 acres of public Instructions to rescind the tary. Haaland’s confirmation victed of setting a fire in 2001,
lands neighboring Malheur Na- grazing permits came with di- seems likely after Sen. Joe Man- and the son was convicted of set-
tional Wildlife Refuge about 45 rections for the BLM to further chin (D-WV) and Sen. Susan ting a second fire in 2006.
to 70 miles south of Burns, Ore. consider the matter from the Collins (R-ME) have indicated The arson convictions were
Grazing permits for the Ham- Interior secretary’s office with they would vote to confirm. also at the center of an armed
mond Ranches were restored in delegated authority. BLM was “I will vote to confirm her,” takeover in 2016 of the Mal-
January 2019 in one of the final directed to pursue additional Collins said in a statement, heur National Wildlife Refuge
acts by former Interior Secretary opportunities for public involve- praising Haaland’s “willingness in Oregon, which led to a 41-day
Ryan Zinke, but the reversal ment and “a careful and consid- to support issues important to armed standoff with federal au-
came from the Biden adminis- ered review” of any challenges. the State of Maine, such as Aca- thorities. The assault was led
tration after four environmental The Oregon Farm Bureau ar- dia National Park, as well as her by rancher brothers Ryan and
advocacy groups sued the Interi- gued that the Hammond's graz- deep knowledge of tribal issues.” Ammon Bundy.
or secretary and the BLM. ing permit should be restored Dwight Hammond Jr. and In July 2018, former Presi-
The four groups alleged the and not issued or taken away Steven Hammond had been con- dent Trump pardoned the Ham-
approval was “tainted by politi- based on “ever-changing regula- victed of arson and were serving monds.
cal influence” and that a “rushed tory whims.” out five-year mandatory mini- Drovers

FSA ELIMINATES FEBRUARY DEADLINE FOR RAPID DROP IN U.S. COVID-19 CASES
CFAP APPLICATIONS COULD SPUR MORE BEEF DEMAND
According to USDA, a review days to sign up after a decision By Tyne Morgan
of the Coronavirus Food Assis- is announced. Payments from
tance Program (CFAP)–Addi- the CFAP 2 signup that ended After a surge in COVID-
tional Assistance by the Biden December 11 have not been im- 19 cases during the holidays,
administration still is ongoing, pacted in any way. COVID-19 cases look to be fall-
but a decision is anticipated in CFAP-Additional Assistance ing again. The U.S. data shows
the weeks ahead. The program is not CFAP 3. FSA has yet to COVID-19 infection rates are
would expand eligibility for prepare that program, which now down to levels not seen
some agricultural producers and would implement the crop, cat- since early fall, with the sev-
commodities. tle and dairy margin coverage en-day rolling average under mand out here for cattle. I can't
In the meantime, the Farm provisions of the Consolidated 65,000 cases. The death rate is wait till I get my second COVID
Service Agency (FSA) has an- Appropriations Act of 2021. Pro- also seeing a dramatic improve- vaccine, and I can get into a good
nounced it will continue to ac- ducers should monitor informa- ment, with fatalities nearly 30% restaurant downtown Chicago
cept CFAP-Additional Assis- tion from their local FSA office lower than the week prior, and and enjoy a great ribeye and get
tance applications during the for details on when and how hospitalizations are down 15% back to a little bit of normalcy.”
review process, thereby elimi- those payments will be made. in that same time. Gold thinks between now and
nating the February 26 dead- KLA With the improvement in summer the U.S. will see great
line. In addition, producers will COVID-19 cases, signs are also strides in vaccinations. After we
be given at least an extra 30 pointing to a possible econom- pass the one-year U.S. threshold
ic recovery from the COVID-19
pandemic. The possible recovery in the pandemic, Gold thinks
is also setting a bullish tone for more consumers will venture
meat demand, as analysts think out to restaurants, which will
it could spur a trend in consum- help domestic demand.
ers looking to return to some “Hopefully, we'll get every-
sense of normalcy. body vaccinated and get back to
“I look at this box beef mar- something close to normal soon-
ket, which has been incredibly er than later, and that makes me
resilient,” says Mark Gold of bullish on the cattle market long
Top Third. “You've got to think term,” says Gold.
there's incredible pent-up de- Drovers