Agricultural News
New NCBA President Marty Smith Lists His Priorities For 2020
Tue, 11 Feb 2020 12:02:36 CST
In today's Beef Buzz we talk with new NCBA President Marty Smith about his priorities for 2020 and at the top of that list is to continue to build on the NCBA influence in Washington, D.C. with Congress and regulatory agencies.
The beef industry faces a huge election coming up, Smith told us during the cattle industry convention in San Antonio last week.
"This election process is monumental for us," said Smith. "We've got to get our message out and get people in Congress, wherever they come from, to listen to American agriculture."
The central Florida beef producer said a major priority will be explaining to consumers how we produce beef in this country.
"Today's consumers want to know how beef is produced," Smith said. "We have to be prepared to answer their questions.
"We are the most environmentally efficient producers of any protein source in the world, but we're not getting that message out to the consumer. We've got to move this higher on the priority list."
Smith first became involved in the beef industry leadership through the Florida Cattlemen's Association when he focused on environmental issues, water rights and property rights.
The new Naviagable Waters Protection ruling is especially pleasing to Smith.
"It's a great victory for ranchers, farmers and all landowners across the country, Smith said.
He noted one of the major challenges with the Obama era WOTUS rule was the burdensome costs to comply with the regulations. The new rules are more practical.
"You needed a whole team of engineers, hydrologists and geologists to even begin to give you an opinion on whether it was a water of the U.S." Smith said. "It was going to be too costly for the average landowner, farmers, or rancher to challenge anything from the government."
Smith's predecessor, Jennifer Houston, was heavily involved in promoting trade and Smith wants to continue that focus.
"We had some major advancements and victories in trade in 2019 and want to continue that, Smith said. " There are more details that need to be worked out in those trade deals and we are going to be very much involved in that process."
Smith operates Smith Brothers-Wacahoota, LLC, a cow-calf business that has been in continuous operation since 1852. They retain ownership through feedlots in Texas, Kansas and Iowa.
"As a beef producer who retains ownership on those calves, we want to continue to grow our beef demand," Smith said. "We've made some tremendous gains in the last 10 to 15 years and we've got to keep that momentum going."
Click below to hear the complete interview with Marty Smith as he talks to Ron Hays.
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.
Our Coverage of the 2020 Cattle Industry Convention is a service of DuraCor Herbicide
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
