NCBA Celebrates Federal Injunction Against WOTUS Rule

Apr 13, 2023
By Denise Faguy
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

The controversial rule had expanded federal jurisdiction over waterways, leading to concerns about the impact on private property rights and the ability of farmers and ranchers to manage their land. The NCBA has been a vocal opponent of the rule, arguing that it would have imposed unnecessary regulatory burdens on cattle producers.

The court's decision brings relief to NCBA members and other cattle producers in affected states, who can now avoid the costs and uncertainty of navigating the WOTUS regulatory regime. The NCBA has praised the ruling as a victory for property rights and regulatory reform, while acknowledging that the battle over WOTUS is far from over.

The group has called on the Biden administration to work with stakeholders to develop a rule that provides clear and workable definitions of the waters that fall under federal jurisdiction.

The NCBA has also emphasized the importance of maintaining the traditional balance between state and federal authority over water resources, noting that the federal government should not have unlimited power to regulate waterways on private land. The group has expressed its commitment to working with policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure that cattle producers have a voice in the development of water policy.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.