During the four Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) BeefMeets that were held in June across the state, ICA members were able to voice their concerns and opinions regarding industry issues. This input was then reviewed by the ICA’s Cow/Calf and Feedlot Councils, and the priority topics and recommendations were passed on to the three policy committees. They met during the first full week of July and ratified several policies. The major policy changes were made to cattle market concerns, Trichomoniasis, Iowa’s Master Matrix, immigration, transportation regulations and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). More information on the changes approved by the 27 elected cattle producers and industry representatives and 15 at-large industry representatives can be found below.
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New and Amended Policies
ICA leaders have been active in National Cattlemen’s Beef Association task forces over the past year, working to ensure that the live cattle futures contract remains a viable risk management tool for cattle producers. Several policies have been developed or amended to make changes meant to benefit Iowa’s producers. Recent positions include:
- Support for dividing negotiated trade reports from 0 to 30 days into 0 to 14 and 15 to 30 day delivery periods
- Support for increased funding and resources for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to regulate and oversee electronically traded contracts
- Opposition to proposed increases to daily price limits for Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle Contracts
Additionally, ICA leaders developed and passed policy on a variety of other topics, including:
- Appointment of a trichomoniasis task force to research and take steps to slow the spread and move toward eradication of the disease
- Support of the current statewide Master Matrix
- Creation of a task force to research current immigration policy and alternatives and their impact on Iowa’s beef industry
- Support of an exemption from Hours of Service and Electronic Logging Device regulations for livestock haulers
- Creation of a task force to examine modifications to the current Conservation Reserve Program that would address current challenges for cattle producers
Policy Process
In August, ICA will send a policy survey to nearly 10,000 members to gather more input on pressing issues in the cattle industry. Survey results will guide the next policy committee meetings, to be held December 7 and 8 at the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit. The association expects reports from the trichomoniasis, immigration and CRP task forces at that time.
ICA members who would like to provide input are welcome to contact their district director or ICA staff at www.iacattlemen.org or 515-296-2266.