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SDCA makes an impact on Capitol HillSouth Dakota Several South Dakota Cattlemen's Association members joined 250 cattlemen from across the U.S. in the nation's capital in early April for the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Spring Legislative Conference. SDCA members attending the Spring Conference included: Scott Jones, SDCA president; Todd Mortenson, SDCA first vice president; Bryan Nagel, SDCA second vice president; and members Ed Blair, Marty Williams, Brian and Jan Brockel and Jodie Hickman. On April 2, cattlemen heard from Douglas Ross, special counsel for agriculture in the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice, regarding the proposed acquisitions of Smithfield Beef and National Beef by JBS Swift. Later that day, attendees were addressed by several officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer, who discussed the administration's position on the farm bill and expressed optimism for enhancing beef exports. Following the USDA update, SDCA members attended meetings with various agency staff, including: Agriculture Marketing Service, U.S. Forest Service, Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency. "Having this many cattlemen on Capitol Hill really makes an impact. Our elected and appointed officials need to understand the how their decisions affect livestock producers and this conference gives us the opportunity to share our story," said Bryan Nagel. On April 3, SDCA members met with Senator Thune, Representative Herseth Sandlin, and Senator Johnson's staff to discuss issues important to South Dakota's cattlemen. The emphasis was on trade, specifically expanding beef exports, but other issues were addressed including the farm bill, JBS acquisitions, the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act, climate change legislation, and feed storage issues. "Cattlemen are already feeling the crunch of increased energy and feed costs. In light of domestic cattle and beef market dynamics, it's important for our policy-makers to focus on expanding global market access for U.S. beef if cattlemen are to remain profitable," noted Todd Mortenson. SDCA also asked the South Dakota delegation to urge USDA to expand access to the Farm Service Agency's Farm Storage Facility Loan Program to allow eligibility for livestock producers. Currently, FSFLP provides low-interest USDA financing to build or upgrade approved farm commodity storage and handling structures for feed grains as well as corn silage, but structures which could be utilized to store some types of livestock feed such as byproducts from ethanol plants are not currently eligible. The current definition of facility loan commodity precludes an otherwise eligible producer who does not grow a facility loan commodity, from obtaining a loan under the FSFLP. "We thank Senator Thune for his prompt response in issuing a letter to Ag Secretary Schafer last week requesting a modification to the Code of Federal Regulations in order for livestock producers to be eligible for low-interest loans on feed storage structures. As feed costs continue to rise, it's imperative that cattlemen are able to control their risk, and access to feed storage during seasonal downturns in demand for ethanol byproducts is one method we can use to help keep costs in check," stated Scott Jones, SDCA president. SDCA is a member-driven organization that works to advance the interests of South Dakota's cattlemen through the representation and promotion of the beef industry. For more information, visit our website at www.sdcattlemen.org. 4/21/08 Date: 4/16/08
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