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Cattle Industry Conference Wraps Up With Policy Priorities

Over 600 cattlemen and women gathered in Denver, Colo., this week to discuss the policy priorities for the cattle industry for the upcoming year. Throughout the meeting, the various policy committees reviewed expiring policies and discussed proposed policy brought forward from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s state affiliates. According to Philip Ellis, NCBA President and Chugwater, Wyo., cattleman, the leadership of the association renewed their dedication to the policy priorities for 2015.

“The Cattle Industry Summer Conference is the time when our producer members are able to gather and tackle the business of the association,” said Ellis. “From continuing and renewing current and expiring policy, to discussing and passing policy to tackle the upcoming and emerging issues, this is our chance to work together to ensure NCBA remains on the forefront representing our membership.”

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans process continues with Congressional oversight. NCBA members remain committed to working with the administration and Congress to ensure the final guidelines reflect the highest quality science and the role of lean beef in a healthy diet.

The EPA has finalized their “waters of the United States” rule, and NCBA’s membership stands firmly opposed to this land grab by the administration. NCBA continues to work with Congress to rein in the administration’s regulatory onslaught and has joined with other land use groups in litigation again the agency.

NCBA members continue their strong support of trade, which adds value to our cattle and returns over $350 for each head of cattle sold. With the passage of Trade Promotion Authority, NCBA supports finalization and passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership and other pending free trade agreements. With preferential trade agreements currently in place, and other countries actively negotiating, the United States cannot afford to fall behind in this critical area. While COOL has for many years been a cost to the industry without benefit to producers or consumers, the NCBA urges the Senate to act quickly in passing repeal language, following the strong bi-partisan action in the House.

Although USDA/APHIS finalized their import rules for Northern Argentina and a region in Brazil, these rules were pushed through without the necessary risk assessments and jeopardize the health of our domestic herd. NCBA will continue to work with Congress and the administration to ensure the proper process is followed before allowing inspection and exports from these areas with a history of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.

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In today's exciting episode of our daily sheep farming vlog at Ewetopia Farms, we witness the lambs taking over the lambing barn as it rapidly fills up. Join us as we embark on a thrilling day of managing lambs as we work on emptying lambing jugs to accommodate the lambs that just keep on coming!

We begin by providing updates on the events of the previous night and share the progress of all the lambs. Throughout the day, we engage in various tasks such as tagging, vaccinating, docking, and recording the lambs as they demonstrate their readiness to leave the lambing jugs and join the group pen. As lambs are moved in and out of the jugs, we ensure each pen is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with lime before welcoming the next ewe and her lambs. Along the way, we encounter and resolve a few challenges related to lambing, including unplugging a ewe's teat to facilitate milk flow for her lamb's nourishment and addressing a bleeding umbilical cord on a newborn Dorset lamb. We remain hopeful for the lamb's full recovery and will keep you updated on its progress in future videos.

To conclude the day, we take a moment to relax in the group pen, reflecting on our busy day of sheep farming and cherishing the rewards of our hard work. Join us in this well-deserved break and immerse yourself in the joys of sheep farming and caring for these adorable lambs