National Cattlemen's Beef Association

Ag Groups File Lawsuit to Challenge EPA's "Vague" New WOTUS Definition

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 22:27:35 GMT

A group of 17 organizations are challenging the new Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) definition through a lawsuit against the EPA, filed Thursday.

“The EPA’s new rule doubles down on the significant nexus test, which is this unworkable test for jurisdiction of when the federal government regulates farms and ranches,” says Travis Cushman, Farm Bureau’s deputy general counsel. “We filed our lawsuit to stop it.”

The lawsuit comes as the EPA published its final definition of WOTUS on Dec. 30, which gives federal protection to large waterways, such as interstate rivers and streams, and adjacent wetlands.

Ag Policy Whiplash

In a press release on the lawsuit, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says the rule is “vague” and puts farmers and ranchers in a position where they will have to hire lawyers and consultants to establish the boundaries of farming, which “isn’t what clean water regulations were intended to do.”

Ethan Lane, NCBA’s vice president of government affairs, echoed Farm Bureau, saying the “unjust” ruling hits too close to home.

“I’m from the state of Arizona. The ‘significant nexus’ test that determines a dry stream bed from some kind of runoff area is describing my entire home state, depending on the definition you use,” he says. “We need clarity.”

Why Rule on WOTUS Now?

The new definition and lawsuit come as the Supreme Court is evaluating a decision on another WOTUS case that could significantly impact WOTUS rulemaking, which is set to be ruled on later this year.

Collaborative Effort Yields Manure Fact Sheet

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:02:05 GMT

Thanks to a long-term, collaborative effort, a new fact sheet detailing Beneficial Uses of Manure and Environmental Protection has been released. NCBA and other livestock groups, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency recently released the document which details the importance of manure and demonstrates to the public the ways in which it can benefit the economy while also being managed in ways which protect the environment. The publication of this fact sheet marks the first time that NCBA and EPA have worked jointly on a project. The release of the publication also helps demonstrate to the public that responsible management of manure can provide significant benefits.

NCBA views the fact sheet as the cornerstone in the development of a relationship with EPA, which has historically presented challenges for agriculture on a number of regulatory issues.

“While we don’t see eye to eye on many of EPA’s regulatory efforts, we do agree that responsible manure management can be an important resource for crop production. We also agree that manure storage and utilization can be done in a manner which results in the improvement of soil and water quality,” said Wyoming rancher and NCBA President, Philip Ellis.

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Iowa Family Honored for Stewardship Efforts

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:01:56 GMT

Glenn and Bev Rowe, owners of Rowe Ranch in Lorimor, Iowa, were selected as one of seven regional honorees of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The award, announced during the 2015 Cattle Industry Summer Conference, recognizes the outstanding stewardship practices employed on the ranch. This year’s regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be announced during the 25th anniversary celebration in January 2016.

ESAP is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and is presented to farmers and ranchers who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the farm and ranch land in their care.

“When we bought the land in 1997, most of it was overrun with thistles, locust and cedar trees with very little grass on it. What grass there was, was fescue and other less-desirable forage,” said Glenn Rowe. “Part of it had been farmed for a year, had soybean stubble which didn’t amount to too much and it actually made it a little easier to put new seed in. But, it was a challenge every day.”

The Rowes have partnered with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service on no less than seven projects including rotational grazing, rural water pipeline installation, reseeding and fertilizing after soil testing, internal fencing of paddocks, installing water heavy-use fabric at crossings, and stream bank stabilizations. They maintain at least 23 paddocks, with the largest being 24 acres. Herds are rotated at least weekly and as often as weather conditions dictate. Cows quickly become accustomed to being moved and usually are waiting at the gate to be rotated.

“Our rotational grazing has been a tremendous benefit to the forage production of this part of the country because of it helps us better manage and distribute the grazing pattern of the cattle across the whole pasture,” said Rowe.

Glenn and Bev have transformed nearly their entire property, planting hundreds of trees around their home and dedicating 40 acres of ground to serve as a wildlife refuge planted to trees. Much of their land is managed as grazing land, but about 250 acres is utilized to plant no-till corn and soybeans, which the cattle graze in the fall after harvest. The Rowes have also fenced cattle out of farm ponds and added wide buffer zones to filter water that flows into creeks on the property.

“Our goal is to retain as much of the water on the land as we can and keep it as long as we can before it runs off. If our forage has the opportunity to absorb those nutrients from the water, that helps our forages and it helps the water downstream,” said Rowe. “Hopefully that improves the quality of the water before it leaves our land.”

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Regional Environmental Stewardship Award Winners Named

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:01:52 GMT

Seven families were honored for their outstanding land management practices during the 2015 Cattle Industry Summer Conference. The Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) honors the efforts of farmers and ranchers who are dedicated to maintaining and improving their lands to ensure that they are productive for future generations.

ESAP is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the year ahead. Regional and national award recipients serve as role models among their peers in the farming and ranching community, ensuring that the innovative conservation practices are widely adopted by other land managers.

Cattlemen and women are America’s original stewards of the land and the ESAP award honors their ongoing efforts to protect the environment. The program is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA-NRCS, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tyson Foods, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

The 2015 regional winners are: Valley View Farms, Harrisonburg, Va.; Bull Hammock Ranch, Fort Pierce, Fla.; Glenn and Bev Rowe, Lorimor, Iowa; 6666 Ranch, Gutherie, Texas; American Fork Ranch, Two Dot, Mont.; Maggie Creek Ranch, Elko, Nev.; and Kopriva Angus, Raymond, S.D.

“The cattlemen and women who we honor here this evening represent the very best traditions of American agriculture’s commitment to protecting and improving the environment for this and future generations,” said NCBA President Philip Ellis. “These men and women understand the importance of protecting our nation’s land, air and water resources. They know first-hand that implementing the practices which improve habitat also benefit the bottom line of individual operations.”

For the past quarter century the Environmental Stewardship Award Program has honored one operation from each of seven regions spanning the United States. Recipients of regional awards are then forwarded for consideration for the National Environmental Stewardship Award which is announced during the Annual Cattle Industry Convention. This year’s national award winner will be announced in San Diego, Calif., on Jan. 27, 2016, in conjunction with the Environmental Stewardship Award Program’s 25th anniversary celebration.

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

South Dakota Ranch Honored for Stewardship Efforts

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:01:52 GMT

Kopriva Angus and the Kopriva family of Raymond, S.D., were honored with one of seven regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) awards. The honorees, announced during the 2015 Cattle Industry Summer Conference, were recognized for their outstanding stewardship practices. This year’s regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be announced during the 25th anniversary celebration in January 2016.

ESAP is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and is presented to farmers and ranchers who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the farm and ranch land in their care.

Kopriva Angus is owned and operated by Jim and Karen Kopriva and their children, Angela and Lee. This commercial and registered Black Angus and hay operation is located in northeast South Dakota on the eastern edge of the James River valley and the western edge of the Coteau Hills. Jim and Lee are responsible for ranch operations which include 370 cows and approximately 2,700 acres. The Koprivas are focused on a sustainable approach to their family cattle operation. They not only dedicate themselves to sustaining native grasslands, pasture, and hay land they manage, they are also committed to creating a sustainable future for the next generations.

Rotational grazing has been key to maximizing production at Kopriva Angus. The Koprivas worked with NRCS to install more than 20,000 feet of cross fencing, which has allowed them to better manage their forage resources and implement a rotational grazing program.

“The main part of our grazing scheme is to always have acres of the operation resting, not getting grazed,” said Lee Kopriva. “If you have the ability through fencing and water development to focus a group of cows in an area of the pasture and then graze it, and then move them to another area and rest the area that you previously grazed, that really is beneficial.”

One of the practices of Kopriva Ranch is to use items that would otherwise go to waste, such as seed for cover crops. They create an inviting habitat for wildlife with their dams and dugouts, providing cover and water for birds, amphibians, deer, and other mammals and insects.

“It’s fun to see the wildlife, and I think that shows that if it’s good for the ecosystem, it’s good for the ranch,” said Angela Brown, who explained that the family has made a tradition of sustainability, hoping to make certain the ranch is viable for future generations.

“I hope that it continues to grow. I hope that we continue to learn from our stewardship decisions,” she said. “I certainly hope that it will continue to be the family operation that it is today.”

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Nevada Ranch Honored for Stewardship Efforts

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:01:56 GMT

Maggie Creek Ranch, the Searle Family and ranch manager Jon Griggs were honored with one of seven regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) awards. The honorees, announced during the 2015 Cattle Industry Summer Conference, were recognized for their outstanding stewardship practices. This year’s regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be announced during the 25th anniversary celebration in January 2016.

ESAP is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and is presented to farmers and ranchers who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the farm and ranch land in their care.

Maggie Creek Ranch is in the business of producing high quality beef while conserving and improving public and private lands. Their goal is to be the best possible stewards of their resources while feeding the world through production agriculture. The operation consists of approximately 198,000 acres of owned (deeded) and leased (public land grazing permit) land.

The Searle family and ranch manager Jon Griggs have worked to build long-term, positive relationships with agency staff and user groups to create an atmosphere of collaboration on both public and private lands. They see a challenge such as an Endangered Species Act listing as an opportunity for conservation projects for the betterment of the ranch.

“Our agency derives immense benefit because of Jon’s willingness to work collaboratively to demonstrate a shared vision for healthy Great Basin landscapes that benefit native wildlife species while also continuing the historic utilization of these landscapes by the ranching industry,” said Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.

Since the early 1990s, the ranch has been a key partner in a collaborative effort to restore the Susie Creek watershed on both public and private lands with the goal of re-establishing Lahontan cutthroat trout. Over 25 miles of Susie Creek and its tributary streams have been improved through a combination of fencing and application of prescriptive grazing practices. Improvement of stream and riparian habitat conditions has been dramatic and recovery is to the point where cutthroat trout will be released into the system within the next few years.

“We’re really happy about how the rangeland health is coming along and how our riparian values are improving. All that improves the value of the ranch,” said Griggs. “I’m really proud of the work that we’ve done to improve our riparian areas and recover the trout habitat on the ranch.”

In addition to riparian and upland rangeland improvement through improved grazing management, cooperative noxious weed treatment work between Maggie Creek Ranch and the Bureau of Land Management has resulted in effective treatment of thousands of acres of scotch thistle and Russian knapweed. These efforts are ongoing and benefit habitat and wildlife on both public and private lands.

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Montana Ranch Honored for Stewardship Efforts

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:01:56 GMT

American Fork Ranch of Two Dot, Mont., was honored with one of seven regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) awards. The honorees, announced during the 2015 Cattle Industry Summer Conference, were recognized for their outstanding stewardship practices. This year’s regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be announced during the 25th anniversary celebration in January 2016.

ESAP is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and is presented to farmers and ranchers who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the farm and ranch land in their care.

“The American Fork Ranch is a part of Montana history, established in 1882 and dating back to days of the Montana Territory. The Stevens family has owned the ranch since 1945 and currently has the fifth generation actively involved in ranch operations and the community,” said Jay Bodner, Montana Stockgrowers Association director of natural resources. “Under the management of Jed and Annie Evjene, the American Fork Ranch has experienced a transformation in sustainability, stewardship and conservation through a number of public and private partnerships. Through a dedication to long-term stewardship, the American Fork Ranch continuously works to improve their cattle operation to benefit their environment, wildlife, resources, community and employees.”

At American Fork Ranch, they’ve found that what’s good for cattle production is also good for the wildlife - and by improving their pastures through cross fencing and adding an extensive system of waterlines, the work has also improved habitat for the native animals.

In 2008, American Fork Ranch embarked upon an ambitious, multi-tiered program to wholly rejuvenate the ranch’s native prairies. To do this, the Evjenes worked in partnership with the NRCS and its Environmental Quality Incentives Program. This program helped them to cross-fence, develop water, complete range assessment of the ranch, collect soil samples, and develop a formal and intricate rotational grazing program. Specifically, the largest implementation was the addition of 25 miles of interior cross fencing. This divided 23 pastures that were once very large into more efficient average sizes of 350 acres, creating 49 efficient grazing pastures.

Grazing each pasture for seven days has allowed the ranch to keep forage in front of the livestock and increase weaning weights on the calves, while increasing overall herd health. Pasture start times are adjusted so that each pasture is not used at the same times each year. Resting each pasture for 45 days between rotation cycles has allowed them to clearly monitor the growing and sustained health of the range as the native plants and wildlife mature and flourish.

Some of the dominant wildlife species that share the open spaces of the ranch and its riparian corridors include antelope, whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, moose, black bear, mountain lion, bobcat, coyotes, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, eastern brook trout, along with several other wildlife species.

“Being able to walk out here or drive here and see good healthy livestock, good healthy wildlife, clear running water and lots of grass. Knowing that we as a team worked together to succeed in this is very rewarding for all of us here on the ranch,” said Jed Evjene. “We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Texas Ranch Named Regional Environmental Stewardship Award Winner

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:01:56 GMT

The renowned 6666 Ranch in Guthrie, Texas, was honored with one of seven regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) awards. The honorees, announced during the 2015 Cattle Industry Summer Conference, were recognized for their outstanding stewardship practices. This year’s regional winners will compete for the national award, which will be announced during the 25th anniversary celebration in January 2016.

ESAP is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, and is presented to farmers and ranchers who demonstrate a commitment to protecting the farm and ranch land in their care.

The 6666 Ranch, which has been owned by the same family since it was founded in the mid-1800s, was nominated by Texas Section, Society for Range Management and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) after receiving the joint Outstanding Rangeland Stewardship Award in 2014. Until the drought began in 2011 the ranch had supported a cattle herd since 1868. To protect the rangeland, preserve more than a century of genetics, and save the livelihoods of dozens of families in a sparsely populated area, the difficult decision was made to relocate the entire cattle operation to other states until rainfall returned.

“Now that the area has received some beneficial rains, the cattle are coming back. Under the leadership of the owner Mrs. Anne Marion, the goal at 6666 Ranch is to return the land to the way it was back in the 1870s, to a condition that is conducive to a thriving cattle herd and abundant wildlife,” said ranch manager Joe Leathers.

The 6666 Ranch operates with 51 pastures encompassing more than 138,000 acres of rangeland. Management units vary from a few hundred acres to nearly 16,000 acres. The continuous grazing system reduces labor costs. Cattle are rotated in and out of various herds depending on age, quality and production.

In an effort to begin the process of returning the land to its prior state, the ranch management team began a mechanical brush treatment program in the mid-1990s, working to remove the invading mesquite and redberry juniper that had drastically altered the landscape. Over the last 20 years they have been able to reclaim tens of thousands of acres of productive prairie by dedicating full-time operators and equipment to the task.

“This ranch when it was completely covered with brush would run a cow calf unit to 60 to 80 acres. We can safely run a cow calf unit now, year round, on 30 to 40 acres,” said Leathers. “We have improved the stocking rate tremendously.”

In 2010, 6666 Ranch joined the Quail-Tech Alliance, a Texas Tech University-based research project dedicated to the education of biologists and landowners in the management of bobwhite and scaled quail.

Dr. Brad Dabbert, professor of quail ecology with Texas Tech University and Quail-Tech founding board member, says Quail-Tech would not be where it is today without the support of the ranch. “Mr. Leathers and the staff of 6666 Ranch have gone to unprecedented efforts to protect their grassland habitat, having moved thousands of cattle off their range.

“Their property contains the best quail habitat that I have seen in Texas and last year we estimated their Southwest pasture contained more than a quail per acre,” said Dabbert.

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Nevada Ranch Honored for Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:02:47 GMT

Maggie Creek Ranch and the Searle family of Elko, Nev. were named national winners of the 2015 Environmental Stewardship Award. The award recognizes ranchers for their commitment to outstanding land management practices which create healthy, balanced ecosystems.

“Maggie Creek Ranch exemplifies environmental stewardship in the beef community, illustrating how ranching families work every day with the land, natural resources and cattle to better the environment,” said Philip Ellis, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “When cattlemen and women, like the Searle family, dedicate themselves to conservation efforts the entire industry benefits.”

Raising cattle in sage brush country since 1975, Maggie Creek Ranch operates on two-thirds owned land and one-third permitted federal land. Ranch manager Jon Griggs has worked for many years to build trust with various partners and collaborate on conservation projects. One of those key partners is the Bureau of Land Management.

“We have had a common vision of the watershed and what the land should look like,” said Carol Evans, Fisheries Biologist, BLM. “Never mind the land boundaries, we just get to work.”

The ranch works to improve habitat for wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. One project of particular success was the installation of irrigation diversions and a fish passage to protect the Lahontan cutthroat trout. Protective structures in the stream ensure the fish can move up and down the creek, spawn and access food sources. A healthy habitat at Maggie Creek Ranch is an ecosystem to support fish, wildlife and cattle in a sustainable manner which is part of a family tradition that started nearly 40 years ago with Sally Searle and her late husband, Bill.

“This award is such a personal thing for us with my grandfather being gone,” said Bekah Klarr, granddaughter of the Searles. “He really lives on through environmental stewardship and that heritage that he passed to us, which means a lot.”

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program was created to recognize beef producers who make environmental stewardship a priority on their farms and ranches while improving production and profitability.

The award is presented by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation and NCBA, and is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, NRCS, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “The Searle family and each of our 2015 regional winners are examples of the best in American agriculture,” said Dave Owens, U.S. Range and Pasture Marketing manager for Dow AgroSciences. “These winners make a living from the land and leave it better than when they started. We are proud to honor these outstanding environmental stewards.”

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

Transitioning the Ranch to the Next Generation

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:02:47 GMT

Managing resources, raising quality cattle and successfully passing the family ranch onto the next generation is a goal that most beef producers have in mind. During the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Cattlemen’s College a panel discussion was given by cattlemen who shared their thoughts on “What Were the Smartest Things Our Families Did to Maintain Ranch Profitability, Sustainability and Family Values?”

Jonny Harris runs his family farm, Greenview Farms, a Hereford and Braford operation in Georgia. Harris did not inherit the entire farm; he had to buy much of it back from relatives. Here are some of the insights that Harris had to offer:

Harris’ grandfather had over 100 employees. He now runs more land with only 3 employees and he credits it to technology.
“The lifestyle we live is sustainable. We’ve been farming the same land for 150 years.”
Harris recommends hiring an estate planner.
“It is important to revisit estate planning every 3 to 5 years because laws change and family goals change.”

Jim Hagenbarth is a rancher from Dillon, Mont. He started running the family ranch at 21 with his brother who was 23 at the time. These are some of the take-home messages that Hagenbarth offered:

Hagenbarth and his brother agreed that they would not let the ranch break up the family. If it did they would sell.
“Families need to give the next generation the tools and education to run a business (the family ranch).”
“Education and business savoy are very important for young producers.”
“It is important to designate one person in the family to focus on estate planning.”
“Succession and planning are much more important than the estate tax.”
“It is important when you build a farm that you do it on the fringes of the ranch in case someone leaves.”
Management of time is huge in maintaining relationships in the family.

Rooter Brite runs the J.A. Ranch near Bowie, Texas. His ranch is just off of a major highway that is approximately 60 miles from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, making expansion of the ranch difficult because of inflated land prices. Brite elightened the crowd with his point-of-view on succesfully making the tranistion to the next ranching generation:

“Long-term success in managing an operation is maintaining the land and the forage.”
“It is a rarity for people in agriculture to be heavy in cash. They have land, animals, and equipment.”
“If you’ve got a number of children it (estate planning) makes it more difficult.”
“Everything doesn’t have to be equal (in estate planning), but it does have to fair.”
“If you love what you’re doing then it isn’t work.”

2015 Cattle Industry Annual Convention Approaches

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:37:58 GMT

San Antonio, Texas, will host hundreds of cattle producers during the upcoming Cattle Industry Annual Convention & NCBA Trade Show Feb. 4-7.

Many of those producers will be setting the policy and priorities of the livestock industry while participating in the joint and individual meetings of five of the industry’s leading organizations: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB), American National CattleWomen Inc. (ANCW), CattleFax and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF).

Whether you are attending the event or following along from home, the Angus Journal team will be providing comprehensive online coverage at www.4cattlemen.com . The website features presentation summaries, photos and trade show news, as well as archives of past conventions.

Another highlight of the convention is the NCBA Trade Show. The American Angus Association, the Angus Journal and Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) are among the exhibitors. Find them at booth #6091.

Angus booth visitors can learn more about Association programs and services, as well as the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand and what it takes to raise beef for the industry’s premier branded-beef program.

About the Cattle Industry Convention

Participants from across the country will enjoy top-notch general session speakers, including internationally recognized graffiti artist and best-selling business author Erik Wahl. The opening keynote speaker will focus on ways to encourage the audience to become more creative, innovative and profitable. Through his entertaining and highly practical program, Wahl will uncover new ways to help you and your employees become better storytellers for your company and your industry.

Bret Baier, a highly acclaimed journalist and host of FOX News’ Special Report with Bret Baier, will share exclusive, poignant and up-to-the-minute analysis on what’s happening at the White House and Capitol Hill.

A number of educational sessions are also on the agenda for the 2015 convention. The CattleFax Annual Outlook Seminar, the 22nd Annual Cattlemen’s College® sponsored by Zoetis Animal Health, and events at the Stockmanship and Stewardship Demonstration Area will provide producers practical information on reproduction, management, genetics, forage management, business strategies and much more.

Visit www.beefusa.org to find more information about activities planned for the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show, then look to the newsroom at www.4cattlemen.com for coverage of the event.

Source: American Angus Association

Cattle Operations Honored for Stewardship Efforts

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:00:17 GMT

Seven cattle operations were recognized as regional winners of the 2014 regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program. The awards, announced during the 2014 Cattle Industry Summer Conference, honor the industry’s best land stewards. The seven regional winners will now compete for the national ESAP award, which will be announced during the 2015 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and NCBA Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas.

The awards, now in their 24th year, were developed to recognize beef producers for their efforts to implement practices which improve the environmental sustainability of their operations. The ESAP award is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences, USDA Natural Resources Conservations Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

The 2014 regional winners are: Conlan Ranches California/True Grass Farms, Valley Ford, Calif.; Rock Hills Ranch, Lowry, S.D.; Wineinger-Davis Ranch, Colo.; Rocosa Ridge Ranch, Bosque County, Texas; Nichols Farms LTD, Bridgewater, Iowa; Sherwood Acres Farm, LaGrange, Ky.; Two Rivers Ranch, Thonotosassa, Fla.

“The cattlemen and women of this country take seriously their responsibility to the environment. Each of these award recipients serves as a shining example of how the beef industry is working to preserve open space and leave the land better than they found it,” said NCBA President Bob McCan. “The ESAP award serves as a showcase for the practices used by farmers and ranchers to improve air, land and water quality. Those practices, in turn benefit the land, improve fish and wildlife habitat and serve as an outstanding example to their fellow producers.”

The work by cattlemen and women to protect their natural resources helps to improve the environmental sustainability of the beef industry. Those efforts also help this year’s regional winners improve the land for future generations, a goal shared by each of these operations.

Source: National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

National Cattlemen's Beef Association

Ag Groups File Lawsuit to Challenge EPA's "Vague" New WOTUS Definition

Read more: EPA Releases New WOTUS Rule, with the Supreme Court Ruling Pending

Ag Policy Whiplash

Why Rule on WOTUS Now?

Read more: Water Resources Bill Reauthorized with a Component that Will Impact Producers

Collaborative Effort Yields Manure Fact Sheet

Iowa Family Honored for Stewardship Efforts

Regional Environmental Stewardship Award Winners Named

South Dakota Ranch Honored for Stewardship Efforts

Nevada Ranch Honored for Stewardship Efforts

Montana Ranch Honored for Stewardship Efforts

Texas Ranch Named Regional Environmental Stewardship Award Winner

Nevada Ranch Honored for Commitment to Environmental Stewardship

Transitioning the Ranch to the Next Generation

2015 Cattle Industry Annual Convention Approaches

Cattle Operations Honored for Stewardship Efforts