Agricultural News
NCBA President-Elect Jennifer Houston Offers Beef's Perspective on AFBF Convention Discussions
Wed, 16 Jan 2019 10:02:08 CST
Jennifer Houston is president-elect of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and a beef producer from Sweetwater, Tennessee. She was there in New Orleans this week at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention when President Donald Trump addressed the audience gathered there. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays was there, too, and caught up with Houston to get her reaction to the President's speech and what issues she expects to hear about at NCBA's convention coming up in just another couple weeks.
"I thought obviously he had a good reception from this crowd who are behind the President in a lot of things, as are our members," she said. "We may differ in some things. He was obviously wanting funding for his border security and got a rousing (response) - especially when he talked about bringing workers in easier so our farmers and ranchers can have the help we need."
One issue that the President highlighted also, was the efforts of his Administration in revamping the contentious Obama-era Waters of the United States rule, implemented originally in 2015. Houston says this is certainly an issue that the cattle industry has been following and cooperating with the Administration on. While pleased with the new proposed rule, she says she is prepared for the inevitable fight in the courts that will eventually ensue, lead by opposing environmental groups. Understanding the litigious challenges ahead, though, Houston says the NCBA is ready for the fight and will stand firm in protecting the rights and interests of its members.
Additionally, Houston brushed on the subject of animal ID and disease traceability. This year, according to her, it seems that this topic has raised a lot more interest than it has in the past among producers. She says minds seem to be more open to the idea than times prior, assuming that the industry is becoming more aware of its necessity and economic advantages.
"Animal disease traceability is important to NCBA and our members. The devil is in the details, but I do see more of a (moderate) attitude from our producers," she said. "Every state meeting I go to, usually that comes up and people are starting to look for 'how can it work for me?'"
Hear Houston and Hays' complete discussion on these issues, on today's Beef Buzz.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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