R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard recently outlined priorities his group wants to see the new Congress address when they convene. He says part of that agenda includes reinstatement of Country of Origin Labeling, as well as passage of newly revised GIPSA rules that allow cattle producers to self-monitor and self-enforce the competitiveness of the marketplace.

He says packers need to be prevented from speculating in the market for the purpose of lowering cattle markets. Plus, they want USDA to develop a beef checkoff program that is transparent.

Bullard says those changes are needed as the cattle industry is dire straits, with $20 billion of equity lost since 2014.

Bullard says the next farm bill also needs to have a livestock title where most of these recommendations could be included.