R-CALF officials want the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take steps to relieve the back log of cattle at packing plants due to the pandemic. R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard says they’re asking the Ag Secretary to consider opening up the 24 million acres in the Conservation Reserve Program to emergency grazing which would allow producers to put cattle out on pasture.

He says another benefit allowing emergency grazing would provide is help for those areas facing drought conditions.

Bullard says other actions can be taken to help with the cattle backlog including allowing for the sale of beef across state lines and eliminating custom beef packing regulations.

Bullard says having the additional grazing land opened with the emergency proclamation would help the lighter weight cattle maintain their health and measured growth.