NCBA officer shares goals

Mark Eisele of Cheyenne was elected to serve as vice president on the 2022 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) officer team during the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention, Feb 1-3.

Eisele discussed his new role within NCBA and goals moving forward.  

NCBA focus

“It’s going really well,” shared Eisele. “We’re working on several different issues. The Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) has us the most concerned right now. Of course, we are always working on trade, price discovery, state taxes and market transparency, but right now WOTUS is the one we are most worried about.” 

He acknowledges the need for rancher support within the changes of a new administration by sharing, “It’s important for NCBA to be involved so producers and people out in the country aren’t yanked back and forth by a change of administrations. We’re looking for some clarity on what the rules will be.” 

NCBA is hoping for support from a conservative court working on the case for a fair decision. 

“We have a shot at a fair decision, but WOTUS is in limbo until we hear from them,” he added. 

In 2022, the on-going debate will continue between judicial branches and the federal government to define the definition of WOTUS, a phrase used to determine the scope of federal authority over streams, wetlands and other waterbody sources under the Clean Water Act (CWA). 

President Biden is expected to announce the act’s second proposed rule in 2022. Language of the new rule is unknown but is expected to reflect “additional stakeholder engagement and implementation considerations, scientific developments and environmental justice values.” 

“In the meanwhile, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is acting on the reinstated rules,” Eisele mentioned. “They are moving forward as if nothing has changed for them except to adhere by the new rules set forth by the administration – it’s a problem and it’s our biggest initial hurdle.”

Other events 

In addition, NCBA is out in the country and attended Certified Angus Beef (CAB) meetings to correspond with staff members and officers regarding commonality between some of the breed associations and NCBA, he said. 

“We just finished our ‘Beef – It’s What’s For Dinner’ 300 race with the Federation of State Beef Councils,” he said. “It was exceptionally successful, and the money is being spent really, really carefully.” 

During the event, volunteers and members worked really hard, he noted.

“If you showed up, you got put to work,” Eisele said. “A lot of producers were really pleased with what they saw, saying, ‘Wow, glad to see our dollars working, we’re back on TV again after all these years.’” 

It is estimated there were 6.5 billion impressions on the internet from the race. The association is still gathering data and putting some metrics on the event, but overall we’re pleased, he noted. 

“I think our connections with the Daytona International Speedway have really paid off. They did several things [for NCBA] at no cost and provided us with tons of access and public relations, which was really invaluable for the beef brand,” he explained. “It’s one thing to chase after a new market, it’s also another thing to reestablish a base.” 

The race took place Feb. 19 with Austin Hill, driving for Richard Childress Racing, taking home the win. 

Day-to-day operations 

“We’re trying to continue some of the work that has been started and continue approachable relationships with organizations,” he said. “What I mean by this is in regards to the people of Wyoming and the West. It’s making sure the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service have good management plans and we can get through the National Environmental Policy Act process without complications – there’s some real importance there.” 

Traceability and sustainability are another focus for the team at NCBA – making sure it’s applicable in a practicable way for producers, he added. 

“We also work with the Public Lands Council (PLC) to address some of their goals and provide support,” noted Eisele

Eisele credited Niels Hansen for doing a great job as the PLC president in addition to “Kaitlynn Glover, a Wyoming native, who has done great things as the executive director,” he added. 

With the new officer team within NCBA, policy and beef checkoff work is expected to continue. 

“What I do on a day-to-day basis is not much different, I just have a different title,” concludes Eisele. “NCBA has not been able to travel at all within the last two years. We were really restricted by the pandemic, and now with things opening up, we are looking forward to going out and reestablishing some of the relationships with other states and state affiliates and see what we can help them address.” 

“The officer team is starting to divide up the travel schedule so we can get to as many states as possible and continue some outreach,” he says. “The staff at NCBA is invested in what they do, and our president visited about trade with the United Kingdom (UK)  to discuss American beef and trade since Brexit – the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union.”

Eisele encourages producers to reach out to the office directly by calling NCBA, Denver, Colo. at 303-696-2851 or NCBA’s Center for Public Policy, Washington, D.C. at 202-347-0228. E-mail inquiries can be sent through the website’s contact portal at ncba.org/utilities/ncba-contact-page/.

Brittany Gunn is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.