World Without Cows Screening at #CattleCon25
During the CattleCon 2025 an open screening of the documentary, World Without Cows (Sponsored by Alltech), was on the big screen in the general session room. I was able to see the screening and highly recommend it. On the stage are Dr. Mark Lyons, CEO, Alltech and the filmmakers Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth.
I talked with Dr. Lyons after seeing the screening and I told him that it really makes you think about what cows mean to our planet. There is a lot of information from scientific sources which you can find on the film website. You can request or see a screening that you may be near. If you have questions you can find answers here.
You can listen to my interview with Dr. Mark Lyons, CEO, Alltech here:
Interview with Dr. Mark Lyons (4:59)
For additionally information about the film you can listen to an interview I conducted with the filmmakers here: World Without Cows filmmakers Michelle Michael and Brandon Whitworth (17:56)
For anyone who has attended an Alltech ONE Conference, the company has scheduled one that is returning to Lexington, KY. The dates are May 18-20, 2026.
CIRB Protecting the Crop Insurance Industry
With a new Congress and a new administration, there are lots of new people who need to be educated about the importance of crop insurance and CIRB has its work cut out for it this year.
“Obviously we are hoping to get a farm bill again this year,” said Tara Smith, Deputy Executive Vice President of the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) at the organization’s annual meeting this week in Bonita Springs, Florida. “I think we’re also in a very different environment than we’ve been in and we’re seeing a lot of potential for folks to attack the program. So we’re very much prepared to play defense, to protect and preserve the program moving forward.”
Smith was pleased to see the large turnout at this year’s annual meeting and is looking forward to having the members of the 2024-25 Emerging Leaders Program on Capitol Hill in April. “We’ve got to tell our story, and the only way to do that is boots on the ground and having folks that live and breathe this stuff every day, talking about why it matters in these different districts and to these Members and their constituents.”
Learn more in this interview:
Interview with Tara Smith, CIRB (2:52)
Industry Ag News 2/7
NCBA Announces 2025 Policy Priorities
NCBA’s Ethan Lane moderates DC issues panel at CattleCon25
“Right now it’s all about the first 100 days of a new administration. That’s really the focus of everything in Washington right now,” said Ethan Lane, Vice President, Government Affairs, who led the well-attended DC Issues update panel at CattleCon. “I think it was really positive to see more than 1000 people in that session. You know, just to hear that update and engage in conversation about it, that was a 2 hour long session.”
Some of NCBA’s 2025 Policy Priorities include:
– Work to retain core wins in the 2024 House Agriculture Committee-passed Farm Bill.
– Preserve family farms and ranches for future generations by advocating for essential tax relief for cattle producers.
– Fight for meaningful long-term relief from the burdensome reporting requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act.
– Enhance wildfire prevention utilizing targeted grazing, controlled burns, and forest management practices to protect grazing lands.
– Keep working lands working by protecting family farms from undue regulatory burdens under the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and many other key regulations.
“There is a lot to do when you think about the policy side,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “The President only has four years, so we’ve got to get back quickly with his new administration. You know, they are confirming new secretaries and under secretaries every day. So the teams are being put together, we can’t waste any time.”
Read the full priorities list here.
Learn more about NCBA’s policy priorities in these interviews.
Interview with Colin Woodall, NCBA (4:59)
Nebraska Cattleman Becomes New NCBA President
Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein stepped into the role of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president during CattleCon 2025, held this week in San Antonio, Texas.
As president, Wehrbein sees both challenges and opportunities ahead, but he’s confident that NCBA’s unifying presence will remain critical to addressing key issues facing farmers and ranchers. He is particularly passionate about fostering opportunity for the next generation of cattle producers, recognizing their ability to drive innovation and industry progress. “They’re ahead of where we were in my time,” he noted. “They understand the issues, and they’re ready to make a difference.”
Wehrbein’s focus during his time as president is to advocate for profit opportunities while also strengthening the freedom to operate. Securing tax relief provisions and pushing back on regulatory overreach is also crucial during the year ahead.
“The tax issue is critically important for agriculture,” Wehrbein said. “A few years ago, there was talk of doing away with the deduction of expenses, and that would have been devastating. We also have to keep pushing on the Death Tax. With what land values have done, if families are forced to sell or split up land to pay taxes, it would put a lot of people out of business.”
Listen to an interview with Wehrbein here:
Interview with Buck Wehrbein, new NCBA President (3:08)
Critical Time for Crop Insurance at CIRB Annual Meeting
Members of the Crop Insurance Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) are holding their annual meeting this week in Florida at a critical time for the industry.
“This meeting is very important just with the current political landscape, the change changing of the guards, if you will for multiple agencies across the the government with the Risk Management Agency being one of them,” said CIRB Chair Lindsey Rinkenberger with COUNTRY Financial. “Definitely important for us to continue to be sure that our voices are heard to protect and preserve the crop insurance program as it exists.”
Critical to the future of the crop insurance industry is CIRB’s Emerging Leaders Program, now in its tenth year, which has 19 participants this year. “We’ve graduated about 80 emerging leaders so far and in times like we’re in today, we need more boots on the ground,” said Rinkenberger. “And it’s just great to see so many people that are, you know, passionate about crop insurance and the way that the majority of us are.”
Listen to an interview with Lindsey here:
Interview with Lindsey Rinkenberger, CIRB Chair (3:31)
Kansas Ranch Wins Environmental Stewardship Award
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) National winner is Downey Ranch in Wamego, Kansas. The award, which annually recognizes the outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers, was presented to Barb Downey and her husband, Joe Carpenter, during CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio.
“We are stewards of the land; we’ve been entrusted with it, and we want to make sure what you see today continues on,” said Barb Downey with Downey Ranch. “What we do every day in some way, shape or form is in service to that mission.”
Located in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills, Downey Ranch is a commercial cow-calf operation committed to stewardship. Owners Joe Carpenter and Barb Downey have incorporated numerous grazing management techniques to enhance rangeland health, minimize the need for harvested forages and meet the nutritional needs of their cattle with little supplemental feed. In addition to extensive use of rotational grazing, they utilize a novel bale grazing program to help cover winter feed needs. Downey Ranch utilizes prescribed burning to enhance the mix of grass species in their pastures as well as control woody encroachment. The family has also integrated new technology to enhance cattle well-being, improve land management and reduce labor needs. In addition to incorporating these resource management practices on their ranch, Barb and Joe are willing to share their experiences with others. Downey Ranch hosts multiple tours for industry groups, students and other stakeholders.
Listen to an interview with Barb here:
Interview with Barb Downey, Downey Ranch (3:32)
2024 Regional Winners:
Region I: Angus Glen Farms, LLC, Watkins Glen, New York
Region II: Kempfer Cattle Company, Deer Park, Florida
Region III: Little Timber Farms, Blackduck, Minnesota
Region IV: Blue Ranch, Moore County, Texas
Region V: LeValley Ranch, Hotchkiss, Colorado
Region VI: Cottonwood Ranch, Wells, Nevada
Region VII: Downey Ranch, Wamego, Kansas
ESAP is sponsored by companies and federal agencies who share the cattle industry’s commitment to caring for the environment and protecting natural resources. Among those sponsors is Ranchbot, which is providing each regional winner a Ranchbot water monitor and a one-year subscription to the My Ranchbot platform. This technology provides 24/7 remote access to real-time insights, ensuring ranchers can #KnowYourWater and make informed decisions that enhance efficiency and sustainability. Two of the 2024 regional winners, LeValley Ranch and Blue Ranch, are currently using Ranchbot’s water monitoring solutions to help achieve their sustainability goals.
Precision Ag News 2/6
San Antonio Welcomes CattleCon 2025
The biggest cattle industry event in the country kicked off today in San Antonio with thousands of cattle producers, industry partners and stakeholders attending CattleCon 2025.
The day started with a issues update from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association team of policy experts. The opening general session featured the return of Buzz Brainard, host of Music Row Happy Hour, as emcee and keynote speaker Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney.
Wednesday starts off with celebrating the 2025 Beef Quality Assurance Award winners, announcing the 2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program National winner and recognizing W.D. Farr Scholarship recipients. The Sustainability Forum will include a panel of industry experts discussing building operation resilience through adoption of written grazing management plans. Thursday will be the final day beginning with CattleFax conducting their U.S. & Global Protein and Grain Outlook Session.
Throughout CattleCon, the 32nd annual Cattlemen’s College will include educational sessions with industry leaders tackling innovative topics. The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet and Environmental Stewardship Award Program reception will recognize leaders for their achievements, and there will be more than nine acres of displays, exhibitors and education in the NCBA Trade Show.
In addition, producers will be hard at work guiding both NCBA policy and Beef Checkoff programs. Annual meetings of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, American National CattleWomen, CattleFax and National Cattlemen’s Foundation will also take place.
“We’re setting a blistering pace for attendance,” said NCBA president Mark Eisele of Wyoming. “People are doing good, feeling good about the market, feeling good about probably the new administration. They want to look at technology. Want to network with old friends and it’s going to be good. I have high optimistic hopes and from the smiles I’m seeing.”
Listen to this interview with Eisele about what cattlemen have on their plate this year.
Interview with Mark Eisele, NCBA President (4:49)
The CattleCon25 Virtual Newsroom is open 24 hours a day with the latest news, photos and audio from the show.