For Immediate Release
By: R-CALF USA Marketing Director Jaiden Moreland
Contact: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard
Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 30, 2026 – R-CALF USA leadership traveled to Washington, D.C., last week for a series of meetings and events with administration officials and members of Congress.
During its time in Washington, R-CALF USA met with administration officials and congressional offices to discuss issues impacting U.S. cattle producers, including mandatory country-of-origin labeling, competition in cattle markets, beef checkoff reform and trade policy.
The week concluded with the R-CALF USA Board of Directors joining President Donald Trump, Cabinet officials, members of Congress and producers from across the country on the South Lawn of the White House for the “Great American Agriculture Celebration.”
“We take pride in bringing the voices of independent ranchers to Washington, D.C.,” said R-CALF USA President Dave Hyde. “Our board members are working cattle producers who took time away from their operations, many in the middle of calving season, and some making their fifth trip to Washington this year.
“We welcomed the opportunity to bring the voice of independent cattle producers into these discussions and came prepared to engage in meetings that have too often excluded working producers,” Hyde said.
“We’re grateful to our members for the trust they place in us,” he continued. “We show up to represent them and advance the policies they’ve directed us to fight for.”
While in Washington, R-CALF USA also participated in the administration’s rollout of the “Product of USA” awareness initiative.
Hyde said the updated rule corrects a long-standing deception and represents progress but does not replace the need for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, which ultimately requires an act of Congress.
“Mandatory country-of-origin labeling is still the goal,” Hyde said. “We’re going to keep pushing to get it done while continuing to show up and tackle the full range of issues impacting independent cattle producers.”
Photos from the Washington, D.C., meetings are available here.
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Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) is the largest producer-only lobbying and trade association representing U.S. cattle and sheep producers. It is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle and sheep industries. Visit www.r-calfusa.com or call 406-252-2516 for more information.