Tax Relief, Farm Bill Priorities For Oregon Cattle Producers

A host of issues being debated in D.C. look to have a direct, or indirect, impact on the farming community across the Northwest.  For the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, the 2017 Tax Relief Bill set to expire at the end of this year is one of the top issues.

“Once it expires, tax rates will go up," said OCA President Matt McElligott.  "Estate tax rates will go up. And when you purchase a large piece of equipment, you know it costs over $100,000 just to buy a tractor, nd sometimes we need to depreciate that off rather quickly, or spread it out over years and we'll lose some of those benefits if that isn't reauthorized.”

McElligott noted he and others with the Association discussed the 2017 Tax Cuts with lawmakers and members of the Oregon delegation during a recent trip to D.C.  Another top priority is the Farm Bill.

"We need the Farm Bill. I'm not sure we're going to get it through this year. Some of them say, yeah, we're going to get through this year and others tell me it's going to be tough to get through this year, but. But that's really important to us.”

Another topic during those meetings in D.C., Doge’s impact on the ag community, specifically cattle.  For more from McElligott, listen to our entire podcast:

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