NCBA welcomes new emergency grazing legislation

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association applauds the introduction of the bipartisan PASTURE (Pandemic Authority Suitable to Utilise Reserve Easements) Act of 2020.
calendar icon 8 June 2020
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The PASTURE Act of 2020 was introduced by US Representatives Roger Marshall (R - First District of Kansas) and Angie Craig (D - Second District of Minnesota), while companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators John Thune (R - South Dakota) and Tina Smith (D - Minnesota). 

“Yesterday’s introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral PASTURE Act is a welcome step toward providing grazing flexibility to livestock producers during the COVID-19 pandemic," said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. "As farmers and ranchers are keeping and feeding livestock for longer periods of time, Congress must ensure that producers do not face a forage shortage. Emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage is a relied upon practice for livestock and forage management. The PASTURE Act gives USDA the ability to open CRP acreage for emergency haying and grazing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On 15 May, 2020, NCBA and 35 of its state affiliates sent a letter to Congress urging action on this issue. NCBA looks forward to continued work with both Republicans and Democrats to ensure that cattle producers receive much-needed flexibility during this unprecedented time."

Click here to read the NCBA's letter to Congress on this issue.

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