LMA Members Advocate for Industry in D.C. Fly-In

Livestock Marketing Association members meet with lawmakers and officials on key policy issues

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:48am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

More than 30 Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) members and staff traveled to Washington, D.C. from March 4-6, 2026 for the association's annual D.C. Fly-In. Over the course of three days, participants met with U.S. representatives, senators, congressional staff, the Secretary of Agriculture, and officials from the USDA and Department of Labor to advocate on a variety of industry issues.

Why it matters

The annual D.C. Fly-In allows LMA members to directly engage with policymakers and government officials to ensure the interests of the livestock marketing industry are represented in legislative and regulatory decisions. Key issues discussed included the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization, animal health and disease traceability, and labor challenges facing the agriculture sector.

The details

During the Fly-In, LMA members advocated for passage of a new Farm Bill, including a provision that would update an outdated Packers and Stockyards Act rule prohibiting livestock auction owners from owning or investing in small and regional harvest facilities. They also pushed for continued USDA support for electronic identification (EID) tags required under the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) program, and changes to the H-2A visa program to allow auction markets to access foreign agricultural workers.

  • The Fly-In took place from March 4-6, 2026.
  • The House Agriculture Committee was marking up its new Farm Bill during the Fly-In.

The players

Livestock Marketing Association (LMA)

A national trade association representing livestock auction markets, dealers, and related businesses.

Brooke Rollins

The Secretary of Agriculture at the time of the Fly-In.

G.T. Thompson

The Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture.

Micheal Schmoyer

Rear Admiral at USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Alan Huddleston

Dr. at USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm grateful for all the LMA members and staff who took the time away from their families and businesses to advocate on behalf of themselves and the entire industry at the D.C. Fly-In.”

— Forrest Mangan, LMA Chief Executive Officer

“Showing up year after year to develop and maintain relationships with decision makers is how we can ensure the interests of the livestock marketing industry is considered in policy decisions.”

— Forrest Mangan, LMA Chief Executive Officer

What’s next

The House Agriculture Committee is expected to vote on its new Farm Bill in the coming weeks, which includes a provision supported by LMA to update the Packers and Stockyards Act.

The takeaway

The annual D.C. Fly-In allows the Livestock Marketing Association to directly engage with policymakers and government officials to advocate for the interests of the livestock marketing industry on critical issues like the Farm Bill, animal health, and labor challenges.