Watch Cattlemen to Cattlemen Week 14; Original Air Date: Tuesday, May 8, 2007

NCBA Policy Division Chairman Steve Foglesong of Astoria, Illinois, takes to Capitol Hill to testify on the importance of conservation programs to the nation’s cattlemen. In particular, Foglesong focused on the need for adequate funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). He also testified on the need to make conservation programs more efficient and user-friendly in the 2007 Farm Bill.

Transportation issues have a big impact on the cattle industry – especially with surging fuel prices. John Maday, associate editor of Drovers, joins Susie Ross in studio to discuss the effect of rising fuel costs. John also discusses the emphasis on safe and human transport of cattle, as outlined in the Master Cattle Transporter Guide. This guide was developed by NCBA as part of the checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program. For a copy of the Master Cattle Transporter Guide, send a request along with your name and mailing address to C2C@beef.org.

Cattlemen to Cattlemen visits two ranches recognized for their innovative environmental practices:

George and Elaine Work operate a family ranch near San Miguel, California, that also includes trail rides, guided hunts, and a girls’ horse camp. Work Family Farms has drawn widespread praise for its efforts to enhance wildlife habitat.

The Kelly family has operated the Buckboard Ranch in the Nebraska Sandhills for 117 years. Michael and Cynthia Kelly brief Cattlemen to Cattlemen on some of the practices they use in this unique and fragile ranching environment.

To learn more about these and other cattle operations recognized for their environmental stewardship, visit: www.beefusa.org/esap/

Also, check out the New Holland Ranch Stewardship LIVE Tour, which will be held in six locations across the country June 18 through August 23. Click here for more information on a location near you.

Cattlemen to Cattlemen also has an international focus this week. First, we visit with Richard Crowder, the chief agriculture negotiator with the Office of U.S. Trade Representative. Crowder discusses the challenges of trade negotiations with European Union, as well as the importance of reducing tariffs and other trade barriers.

And Taiwan was one of the first Asian markets to re-open to U.S. beef, and the market has been growing ever since. We’ll talk with cattlemen who recently visited Taiwan as part of a tour held by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

WE NEED YOUR PHOTOS!

Submit your farm and ranch photos now for our weekly Legacy Photos segment. Send your digital photos to C2C@beef.org. Don’t forget to include your name, location, and any other information you want to share.