This week, a dozen founding members of the Common Ground Coalition, representing U.S. farms, ranches and livestock auction markets, traded their work boots for suits and traveled to the nation’s capital for a high-level roundtable with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives, hosted by Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana.
The visit followed a pivotal summit held in April in Denver, where 40 cattle producers and livestock industry leaders convened to form the Common Ground Coalition, which has since grown to nearly 10,000 supporters.
This week’s meetings centered on specific actionable solutions to secure ag-friendly tax policy, make risk management tools more effective, improve access to labor, achieve flexibility for livestock haulers, and create support for young and emerging livestock producers.
Despite the challenge of securing time with lawmakers, coalition members met with the following to advocate for practical solutions that would strengthen the American beef industry:
· U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins
· Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.)
· Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.)
· Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.)
· Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.)
· Rep. Adam Gray (D-Calif.)
· Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.)
· Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.)
· Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.)
· Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.)
· Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.)
· Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.)
· Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho)
· Rep. Dave Taylor (R-Ohio)
The visit happened to coincide with President Trump’s recent comments on Argentinian beef imports, a topic that came up in discussion. Coalition members emphasized American cattle producers face long-standing challenges — from rising input costs to limited access to land, water and affordable lending — that threaten the viability of family farms and ranches. Congressional allies listened and whole-heartedly agreed.
“The most effective way to make beef more affordable isn’t by artificially manipulating the market with imported product,” said Joe Goggins, a coalition member from Montana. “It’s by helping America’s cattle producers enter and stay in the business of raising cattle. When producers can operate efficiently here at home, everyone benefits — ranchers stay in business, rural communities stay strong, and consumers get access to high-quality, affordable U.S. beef.”
The roundtable was both productive and positive, offering policymakers, many of whom are farmers and ranchers themselves, a chance to hear specific asks straight from the Common Ground participants. Coalition members appreciated how much the officials in attendance understood the plight of the American livestock producer and were committed to working together to support the next generation — because America’s food independence depends on it.
