National Cattleman's Beef Association (NCBA) files legal motion to strike down Biden WOTUS rule
On June 28, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and litigation partners filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas asking the court to strike down the Biden administration’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA.

“In Sackett v. EPA, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the EPA had overstepped its authority under the Clean Water Act,” said NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “A full rewrite of the Biden administration’s WOTUS definition is the only path to comply with the Sackett decision. NCBA is seeking summary judgment in our lawsuit against the Biden WOTUS rule and urging the Southern District of Texas to strike the rule from the books.”

The Sackett case was not directly about agriculture, but the plaintiffs in the case were harmed by the EPA’s overregulation on WOTUS. NCBA filed an amicus brief before the Supreme Court siding with the Sackett family in their lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers. Ultimately, points raised in NCBA’s brief were incorporated in the justice’s final opinion, demonstrating the importance of NCBA joining the fight on this issue.

Separate from the Sackett case, NCBA and a coalition of litigation partners filed their own lawsuit against the Biden administration’s WOTUS rule to block it from taking effect. NCBA secured injunctions in 27 states to temporarily halt the rule. Now, NCBA is filing a motion for summary judgment to ask the court to rule on vacating the full Biden administration WOTUS rule based on the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Sackett case.

2023 YCC class marks 40 years of leadership development
After a three-year hiatus, the YCC had a successful relaunch. This year’s class included 71 leaders from across the nation and every segment of the beef industry. After nine days of intensive leadership training and a five-city tour that showcased every facet of the beef industry, these leaders completed their trip with a full day of representation in Washington, D.C. The event, which is sponsored by Corteva Agriscience, Elanco, Farm Credit, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, John Deere, Tyson and NCBA, is designed to give participants exposure to the full supply chain. Completion of YCC prepares participants to serve as leaders within their state associations in addition to being advocates for NCBA and the beef community.

The 2023 class began its journey in Denver, Colo., with classroom sessions designed to provide background knowledge about NCBA and the work it conducts on behalf of its members and the beef community. Participants took part in leadership development sessions, media training, and hands-on demonstrations of the work NCBA does as a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. The group also made a visit to Greeley, Colo., to tour Five Rivers Cattle Feeding’s Kuner Feedyard, and enjoyed an evening with Trent Johnson and the staff at Greeley Hat Works.

In Nebraska and Ohio, YCC participants had the opportunity to visit Tyson Food’s Dakota City beef processing plant, the main offices of Certified Angus Beef and Wendy’s restaurants. Stops in these locations allowed the group to gain a better understanding of the full beef value chain, from processing through marketing and consumer outlets for beef.

The 2023 YCC class finished its itinerary in Washington, D.C., where participants learned how NCBA’s policy work affects their operations and the broader industry. After an in-depth policy issue briefing from NCBA’s lobbyists and staff experts, participants took to Capitol Hill, visiting more than 200 congressional offices to advocate for industry policy priorities.

“Over the past nine days, each member of the class has had the opportunity to better understand the cattle and beef industries and the complex relationships that represent the industry today. In addition, each of us has made connections and had experiences that will benefit us now and in the future. The leadership skills and the knowledge we’ve gained will allow each of us to continue on our leadership journey and provide us with ways that we can give back to the industry that we love,” said 2023 YCC Chair Jake Feddes, a Montana cattle producer. “Visiting the offices of our elected officials in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the issues that affect us, was particularly meaningful for our class; and we’re proud of the impact we had on Capitol Hill.”

“Truly, the highlight of the trip was the other participants from around the nation,” said Gabriel Connealy, Whitman, Neb., who represented the Angus breed on the tour. “I was exposed to aspects of our industry that I knew little about, and made many friends that I hope to keep in touch with and trade lessons with for years to come.”

Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship Program
To advance the mission of supporting education, youth and research, the Angus Foundation is extending its scholarship program to young men and women using Angus sires or dams in their commercial operation. These youth and/or their parents/guardians must use Angus genetics in their breeding program.

Youth eligible are those pursuing an undergraduate degree in animal science, agriculture, rangeland management or a technical trade, and are seeking financial support for the cost of their education at a university, community college or trade school. Applications are reviewed by the Angus Foundation’s scholarship selection committee, which is composed of two Angus Foundation representatives, two Angus industry representatives and one beef cattle industry leader. Emphasis will be placed on an applicant’s knowledge of the cattle industry and their perspective of the Angus breed.

This year’s scholarship winners are:

• Jacee Sumpter, Branson, Colo., currently attends Butler Community College and is earning her associate degree in agribusiness. She plans to continue her education at Kansas State University (K-State) or Oklahoma State University.

  Sumpter says her family’s primary goal is to sell calves to be fed out in a feedlot. Her main priority when purchasing show heifers has always been purchasing good cows. “I pride myself in the herd that I am building and will continue to improve my genetics base.

  “The one thing that I have not seen my family do is throw their hands up. Despite the months with no rain, endless days of feeding, water hauling and praying — they persevere. It gets expensive to feed daily, and it is discouraging to look in your rearview mirror and see dust mid-December, but we wear on,” says Sumpter. “It’s the love of the country, a new baby calf coming into this world or the smell of fresh branding smoke. I am grateful for the life I was raised into, and plan on raising my kids into the same lifestyle.”

  Sumpter hopes to one day work in the feedlot industry as a commodity trader for her family’s business, Compass Ag Solutions.

• Addison Hillman, Brainerd, Minn., is at University of Nebraska–Lincoln studying animal science with a Krutsinger Beef Industry Scholars minor.

  “Our family was raising around 100 head; but the drought a couple years ago hit us pretty hard, and we were forced to sell 75% of our herd,” recalled Hillman. “We had already spent a lot of our savings on hay to keep the herd as long as we could. That didn’t set us back too bad, but then my dad got really sick, and nobody could figure out what was wrong with him. It became my job to calve out the cows, go to school, and work my own job.”

  During a time when her family overcame challenging circumstances, Hillman stepped into a larger role in her family’s operation and grew confidence in her skills as a cattlewoman.

  “My biggest challenge is knowing when to ask for help, because I can’t get over my pride of someone helping me with my cows. I also think learning how to deal with problems as they arise is another good skill to have,” says Hillman.

  She selected the biology and biotechnology option when pursuing her animal science major to start a journey focusing on genetics.

  “Right now, my hope is to do something with cattle genetics. I’ve been working in the genetics lab on campus to see if this is something I want to do as a career,” says Hillman.

• Bryce Hoeltzel, Olsburg, Kan., has accepted a livestock judging scholarship to a local community college, where he plans to major in animal science and natural resource management.

  “I want to focus on improving the environmental impact of livestock production and look for ways to become more efficient in the cattle industry,” says Hoeltzel.

  Earning three National Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) grants from companies that support FFA and rural agriculture, Hoeltzel has purchased livestock and operational equipment to continue to expand his knowledge while educating others.

  Hoeltzel has been very active in the industry and in his high school, earning many character and leadership awards. He was captain of the football team and attended the K-State Animal Science Leadership Academy, where he earned first place for a presentation on the “Environmental Impact of Livestock Production.”

  “I want to focus on the environmental impacts of livestock production and look for ways that we can make raising livestock better and more efficient, with the ever-increasing population and the decrease in ranch land and increase in cost per acre to purchase,” says Hoeltzel.

• Abigail Morse, Madison, S.D., is attending South Dakota State University, where she is majoring in animal science with a science specialization. With this major she plans to pursue a career as a large-animal veterinarian, working primarily with beef cattle in rural areas.

  While in high school, Morse competed at the state level for both the veterinarian science contest and livestock judging FFA contests.

  Holding many positions in her FFA chapter, Morse says the three qualities that describe her as a leader are responsible, hardworking and driven. She continues to seek opportunities that will help her develop these skills and make connections.

  At SDSU, she is a member of the Collegiate Cattlemen’s Club and Block and Bridle. Through these groups Morse has participated in the Little International Livestock Show and helped plan the Jackrabbits Memorial calf show.

  Says Morse: “I have learned an infinite number of lessons while working in the beef industry, but those that stand out the most to me are the value of hard work, responsibility and honesty.”

  As a cattle producer, these are invaluable traits that are important to instill in young people pursuing careers in the industry.

For more information on the Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship, visit https://www.angus.org/Foundation/WhatWeDo/Youth/CommercialCattlemen.

Association names new regional manager
The American Angus Association welcomes Shawn Gray of Samson, Ala., as the regional manager for Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. As a University of Florida graduate, Gray has spent his career diversifying his skill set in seedstock production, commercial backgrounding, nutrition, forage management and more.

Gray comes to the Association after spending nearly five years managing more than 10,000 head of stocker cattle at Crimson Cattle Co.

Levi Landers, director of the field services, says Gray’s experience and complete understanding of the industry, specifically in the Southeast, make him a great fit for this role.

In the regional manager position, Gray will work with breeders to promote Angus cattle, consult on management practices, help locate Angus seedstock and inform cattlemen and women about Association programs and services. He will also advise producers on marketing opportunities available through the Association, including advertising in the Angus Journal, Angus Beef Bulletin and other avenues.

Gray begins serving Region 13 on July 5 and will hit the road attending Angus events.

Contact Shawn Gray at sgray@angus.org or 352-425-9326.

Angus breeders engage in premiere education at Beef Leaders Institute
Twenty-one American Angus Association members from across the globe attended the 2023 Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) June 13-17. The annual event is hosted by the American Angus Association and funded by the Angus Foundation and Certified Angus Beef (CAB). BLI provides Association members the opportunity to experience the beef value chain from pasture to plate.

Participants began the week at the American Angus Association in Saint Joseph, Mo. While at the breed’s headquarters, attendees met with staff to learn about the many departments and programs housed within the Association. Several Association employees offered insights, including Mark McCully; Kelli Retallick-Riley, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) president; and Clay Zwilling, Angus Media president.

Attendees then hit the road, departing from Saint Joseph to further explore the production and processing sectors of the beef industry. They toured Tyson Fresh Meats in Dakota City, Neb., and Weborg Feedyards in Pender, Neb.

For the next leg of the trip, attendees traveled to Ohio to continue studying the beef value chain. While visiting Buckhead Toledo, Northwood, Ohio, participants experienced the preparation of value-added CAB^® products. They explored the effects of genetics in the beef industry at STgenetics, Tiffin, Ohio.

The final days of the experience were spent in The Culinary Center at CAB’s main offices in Wooster, Ohio. From a “Taste the Difference” steak tasting to a hands-on beef fabrication demonstration in the meat lab, participants explored the specifications behind putting a CAB steak on the dinner table. Their newly gained knowledge was put to the test as they prepared their own steaks with the assistance of world-class Chef Venoy Rogers III.

During a week fully immersing themselves in the industry, the BLI class realized how the cattle they raise influence the industry well beyond their pastures.

Providing continued education for the Angus membership is a priority for the Association. BLI is designed to equip members ages 25 to 45 with the resources to understand all segments of the beef industry. Attendees leave as stronger, more effective leaders for the Angus breed and beef industry. To learn more about BLI, visit www.angus.org/Event/BLIEntryForm. The 2024 application will be available in early November.