Cattle Producers Bring Priorities to Washington

Earlier this month, cattle producers from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. for the United States Cattlemen’s Association’s 2025 Fly-In. According to the group, the goal was to bring real producer voices to the table as national ag policy continues to take shape.

From the USCA’s perspective, fair competition in the marketplace remains a top priority. Members called for reforms to the Packers and Stockyards Act, including faster price reporting and more detailed data from meatpackers. They also voiced support for stronger whistleblower protections and standardized cattle pickup timelines.

Livestock identification was another key topic. The USCA expressed concern over mandatory electronic ID ear tags, pointing to potential issues with cost, data privacy, and supply shortages. Instead, the group supports voluntary, science-based systems that they say still protect herd health and food safety.

And when it comes to labeling, the USCA continues to push for tighter rules—saying the “Product of USA” label should only apply to beef born, raised, and harvested here. They also want imports held to the same standards as domestic products.

More at www.uscattlemen.org.