LUBBOCK, TX – Cattle producers attending CattleCon can directly influence the policies NCBA carries to Washington, according to the organization’s top policy executive.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director Sigrid Johannes says policy discussions at county and state cattlemen’s meetings can eventually become national lobbying priorities through NCBA’s grassroots process.
She points to Product of the USA labeling as an example. Johannes says the issue began as a county-level resolution in Oregon, moved through the state organization and eventually became NCBA policy before USDA implemented changes to the label.
CattleCon and NCBA’s summer business meeting provide producers opportunities to debate and vote on policy that later becomes guidance for the organization’s Washington staff.
Johannes encourages producers unable to attend national meetings to remain involved through their state affiliates, which can carry local concerns into the broader policy process.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Producer participation at the county, state and national levels can directly influence the cattle industry’s policy agenda in Washington.