The recently-passed Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Package funds several key programs important to cattle producers, including the Electronic Logging Device Exemption for livestock haulers, important EPA regulatory relief, and an extension of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Program. It also allows for the development of a Cattle Contract Library Pilot Program, which some in the industry have called a critical tool as it related to increasing market transparency for cattle producers.
National Cattlemen's Beef Association says the pilot program marks a “win” for the U.S. cattle industry as it equips producers with the market data they need to make informed business decisions and capture more value for producing the highest-quality beef in the world.
“The program allows USDA to work on the model for a contract library that works for everyone in the supply chain while Congress and industry continue to work on the details of a permanent library,” says NBCA VP of Government Affairs Ethan Lane.