Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns: Cattlemen urge consideration of CRP use

TSCRA Daily News Update, July 18, 2008

Cattlemen urge consideration of CRP use

On Tuesday, July 17, NCBA, as a part of a larger coalition, filed an Amici Curia brief in support of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) release of 24 million acres of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ground for haying and grazing.

Recent legal action taken by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) to contest this release will cause severe economic harm to the many cattle producers who have made major capital investments to prepare this ground to feed their cattle.

In action Thursday, Judge John C. Coughenour, of the United States District Court Western District of Washington, ruled that the USDA and NWF will meet next Tuesday, July 22, and submit suggestions on modifying the preliminary injunction that was granted on June 27. Judge Coughenour will then issue his ruling on the same day.

Until his final ruling is released, the Temporary Restraining Order remains in place and all current haying and grazing practices must cease.

"Reversing the USDA decision at this late date would be the last straw for many cattle producers who are already on the brink of going out of business," said Andy Groseta, NCBA president and cattle producer from Arizona. "With a continuing drought, historic feed costs and skyrocketing hay prices, cattle producers need this land to be able to feed their cattle as well as continue their land stewardship."

"The relationship between cattle producers and conservation has never been stronger, yet in today's economy, we need to be able to both conserve and use the land. We ask that the court consider the impact that NWF's actions have caused to America's farmers and ranchers," Groseta said.

More than 50 producers submitted declarations to NCBA to be used in the brief. Throughout these declarations, producers discussed the expenses they have incurred and losses they expect due to the NWF's temporary restraining order. Cattle producers have already invested over $800,000 in equipment, water, leases and fencing according to the submitted declarations

The coalition filing the brief included: the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) in conjunction with Idaho Cattle Association; Iowa Cattlemen's Association; Kansas Livestock Association; Nebraska Cattlemen; New Mexico Cattle Growers; Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association; Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; Texas Cattle Feeders Association; Washington Cattlemen's Association; Washington Cattle Feeders Association; the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).