California Ag Network

Tag: livestock industry

  • Common Ground Coalition Kicks off First of Four Regional Summits

    The Common Ground Coalition kicked off the first of four regional summits in Reno, gathering Western livestock perspectives to bolster the industry’s future. This event launches a nationwide effort to strengthen rural communities and secure the U.S. food supply.

    Building on momentum from the coalition’s inaugural event in April 2025, attendees engaged in candid, solution‑oriented discussions rooted in shared experiences and a commitment to action.

    Participants explored a growing set of challenges, including constrained access to land, capital, labor and effective risk management tools — particularly for young and emerging producers.

    The 33 attendees advanced a set of recommendations to help guide the next phase of the Common Ground Coalition’s work. Participants offered ideas on issues they believed the group could ultimately agree on. While differing viewpoints were represented — both at the table and in small-group discussions — items without consensus did not move forward. This approach has been foundational to the Common Ground Coalition, and these outcomes will be aligned with findings from the coalition’s remaining regional summits.

    Western Region Recommendations

    •Improve access to land by simplifying bureaucracy and developing incentives that encourage sellers and landowners to keep land in production agriculture. Protecting and restoring grazing acres, including public and deeded land, is essential for young and emerging producers and for the long-term viability of all livestock operations.

    •Advocate for capital access and financing reforms, with the goal of expanding and streamlining access to capital for livestock production.

    •Develop mentorship, succession and ownership pathways by creating models that connect established operations with young and emerging producers.

    •Add a focus on predation issues and Endangered Species Act reforms to the coalition’s foundational work, with the goal of defending producers’ right to protect private property. This includes addressing misuse of the act to restrict producers’ ability to protect livestock and homes, as well as seeking to improve transparency and collaboration from enforcing agencies.

    •Advocate for reforms to the Equal Access to Justice Act to prevent its weaponization against the industry.

    •Add a focus on reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act through policy initiatives, education, and efforts to correct misinformation in the public arena.

    •Increase adoption of risk management programs through improved education, expanded coverage and tools that support cow-calf revenue streams.

    •Continue pursuing labor program reforms and workforce development, including access to healthcare and other rural community needs, with the goals of increasing access to labor and improving long-term stability in rural communities.

    Moderator and founding coalition member Jake Parnell said the event focused on results rather than just dialogue.

    “This summit wasn’t about talk for talk’s sake,” he said. “It was about coming together, recognizing the work already happening across the industry and carrying that momentum beyond this room. By aligning these discussions with broader efforts and the outcomes of future Common Ground Coalition summits, we can turn shared priorities into action.”

    Western Region Summit Attendees

    Those participating in the summit included:

    California: Erin Borror, Joe Fischer, Pat Kirby, Bert Lefty, Deirdre Lefty, Duane Martin Jr., Jake Parnell, Rick Roberti, Debbie Wise, Geordy Wise

    Colorado: Christie Gabel, Jim Gies, Jordan Levi

    Idaho: John Dickinson, Tom Houret, Broden Matthews, Jared Patterson

    Montana: Joe Goggins, J.M. Peck, Greg Putnam, Darrell Stevenson

    Nevada: John Hays, Sam Mori, Colton Oney, Cara Small, Wade Small, Chad Turner

    Oregon: Bob Harrell, Paul Houret, Blake Knowles

    Wyoming: Jack Berger, Brad Boner, Brett Crosby

    Oregon rancher and founding member Paul Houret said the coalition’s strength lies in its ability to unite diverse perspectives under a single mission.

    “We all come at this from different angles,” he said. “But if this group can come together and be an example of collaboration for the industry — and I think we’ve already seen some success — we can start fixing some of the issues that frustrate so many people. We just have to get started.”

    To learn more or to sign on to the Common Ground Coalition, visit commongroundcoalition.net.

    — Story contributed by the Common Ground Coalition

  • Common Ground Coalition Kicks off First of Four Regional Summits

    The Common Ground Coalition kicked off the first of four regional summits in Reno, gathering Western livestock perspectives to bolster the industry’s future. This event launches a nationwide effort to strengthen rural communities and secure the U.S. food supply.

    Building on momentum from the coalition’s inaugural event in April 2025, attendees engaged in candid, solution‑oriented discussions rooted in shared experiences and a commitment to action.

    Participants explored a growing set of challenges, including constrained access to land, capital, labor and effective risk management tools — particularly for young and emerging producers.

    The 33 attendees advanced a set of recommendations to help guide the next phase of the Common Ground Coalition’s work. Participants offered ideas on issues they believed the group could ultimately agree on. While differing viewpoints were represented — both at the table and in small-group discussions — items without consensus did not move forward. This approach has been foundational to the Common Ground Coalition, and these outcomes will be aligned with findings from the coalition’s remaining regional summits.

    Western Region Recommendations

    •Improve access to land by simplifying bureaucracy and developing incentives that encourage sellers and landowners to keep land in production agriculture. Protecting and restoring grazing acres, including public and deeded land, is essential for young and emerging producers and for the long-term viability of all livestock operations.

    •Advocate for capital access and financing reforms, with the goal of expanding and streamlining access to capital for livestock production.

    •Develop mentorship, succession and ownership pathways by creating models that connect established operations with young and emerging producers.

    •Add a focus on predation issues and Endangered Species Act reforms to the coalition’s foundational work, with the goal of defending producers’ right to protect private property. This includes addressing misuse of the act to restrict producers’ ability to protect livestock and homes, as well as seeking to improve transparency and collaboration from enforcing agencies.

    •Advocate for reforms to the Equal Access to Justice Act to prevent its weaponization against the industry.

    •Add a focus on reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act through policy initiatives, education, and efforts to correct misinformation in the public arena.

    •Increase adoption of risk management programs through improved education, expanded coverage and tools that support cow-calf revenue streams.

    •Continue pursuing labor program reforms and workforce development, including access to healthcare and other rural community needs, with the goals of increasing access to labor and improving long-term stability in rural communities.

    Moderator and founding coalition member Jake Parnell said the event focused on results rather than just dialogue.

    “This summit wasn’t about talk for talk’s sake,” he said. “It was about coming together, recognizing the work already happening across the industry and carrying that momentum beyond this room. By aligning these discussions with broader efforts and the outcomes of future Common Ground Coalition summits, we can turn shared priorities into action.”

    Western Region Summit Attendees

    Those participating in the summit included:

    California: Erin Borror, Joe Fischer, Pat Kirby, Bert Lefty, Deirdre Lefty, Duane Martin Jr., Jake Parnell, Rick Roberti, Debbie Wise, Geordy Wise

    Colorado: Christie Gabel, Jim Gies, Jordan Levi

    Idaho: John Dickinson, Tom Houret, Broden Matthews, Jared Patterson

    Montana: Joe Goggins, J.M. Peck, Greg Putnam, Darrell Stevenson

    Nevada: John Hays, Sam Mori, Colton Oney, Cara Small, Wade Small, Chad Turner

    Oregon: Bob Harrell, Paul Houret, Blake Knowles

    Wyoming: Jack Berger, Brad Boner, Brett Crosby

    Oregon rancher and founding member Paul Houret said the coalition’s strength lies in its ability to unite diverse perspectives under a single mission.

    “We all come at this from different angles,” he said. “But if this group can come together and be an example of collaboration for the industry — and I think we’ve already seen some success — we can start fixing some of the issues that frustrate so many people. We just have to get started.”

    To learn more or to sign on to the Common Ground Coalition, visit commongroundcoalition.net.

    — Story contributed by the Common Ground Coalition

  • Livestock Marketing Association Welcomes New Western Region Executive Officer

    Livestock Marketing Association, or LMA, is pleased to announce the appointment of Devin Murnin as region executive officer for the western U.S., following Forrest Mangan’s transition into the role of chief executive officer.

    Devin joins the association after a decade of service as a fieldman for the Western Livestock Journal, where he built strong relationships across the livestock industry and earned a reputation for professionalism, integrity and a deep commitment to the people he served.

    In his farewell column, Devin reflected on his time at the publication with gratitude and excitement for the road ahead, writing, “Though I will be serving in a different capacity as I transition to the Livestock Marketing Association, I look forward to continuing to be involved with the industry I truly am passionate about.”

    In his new role, Devin will support livestock auction markets and livestock marketing businesses across the 11 states of the association’s western region, providing guidance on regulatory issues, risk management and insurance coverage. His experience in livestock marketing, event coordination and industry outreach positions him well to serve members with energy and insight.

    Mike VanMaanen, association president said Mangan has been a tremendous asset and will continue to lead with vision and dedication, and he’s excited to add Murnin to the team.

    “Devin’s industry knowledge, communication skills and passion for livestock marketing make him a natural fit,” he said. “We know livestock marketers in the western states and beyond will benefit from his leadership and vision.”

    About the Livestock Marketing Association

    The Livestock Marketing Association, headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, is North America’s leading, national trade association dedicated to serving its members in the open and competitive auction method of marketing livestock. Founded in 1947, LMA has more than 800 member businesses across the U.S. and Canada and remains invested in both the livestock and livestock marketing industries through member support, education programs, policy representation and communication efforts.