CattleCon 2026: Mary-Thomas Hart — Cattle, Water Management, and Environmental Policy

NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart breaks down CAFO permits, EPA enforcement, and what cattle producers need to know as rules continue to evolve.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Waters of the U.S. and cattle regulation are back in the spotlight at the CattleCon 2026.

RFD NEWS’ own Tony St. James caught up with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart to discuss how she advocates and represents the interests of U.S. cattle producers on issues such as the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and voluntary conservation programs.

In her interview with RFD NEWS, Hart breaks down CAFO permits, EPA enforcement, and what producers need to know as rules continue to evolve.

Related Stories: CattleCon 2026
NCBA and the Noble Research Institute say preparing the next generation begins well before ownership changes hands.
Premieres on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 7:30 PM ET
This year at CattleCon 2026, RFD Network’s Kirbe Schnoor caught up with Donna Emick from Pneu-Dart to get her perspective on why education, safety, and accountability matter in the field.
Wed, 2/25/26 – 7:30 PM ET
Phibro’s Medicated feed additives are helping cattle strive right from the very start.
Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance discusses the importance of grain bin safety and joint efforts with Nationwide to provide farmers and first responders with access to critical, life-saving rescue tubes.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

New duty-free phosphate imports from Morocco are expected to boost fertilizer supplies and lower costs for U.S. farmers as USDA estimates prices could fall by as much as 22 percent.
Farm groups welcomed the withdrawal of a proposed glyphosate import duty, saying it helps keep input costs lower as new research and a Supreme Court ruling keep the herbicide in the spotlight.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and biofuel advocates headline a busy week on Capitol Hill focused on farm aid, trade policy and year-round E15 legislation.
A proposed battery storage facility in Wheatland, Wisconsin, is raising questions about farmland, local control, and the state approval process.
During Rural Road Safety Awareness Week, Nationwide Agribusiness urges drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and watch for farm equipment as a new survey highlights the risks of rural roads.
ASA President Scott Metzger says soybean growers remain focused on trade, the Farm Bill, renewable fuels, and market stability as Congress weighs additional assistance for farmers and export opportunities.
Agriculture Shows
Agriculture is the most important industry in the world, and Ag PhD Daily brings you the information you need to best manage your business only on RFD-TV and RFD+
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.