An upcoming run-off election in one of the nation’s largest agricultural districts has produced a confrontation, with Texas’ colorful and controversial ag commissioner, Sid Miller, and President Donald Trump on one side, and major state and national farm groups on the other.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association hopes to address some of the industry’s longest-running issues in 2020, goals that will likely need the cooperation of an administration that is up for reelection in November.

The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association fired back at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s plans to engage on “Product of the U.S.A.” label discussions, saying the situation requires urgency.

The move puts the nation’s largest beef producer group, which has long been opposed to mandatory country-of-origin labeling, on the side of making sure voluntary COOL declarations are accurate and verifiable.

(Editor’s note: This is the sixth installment in our seven-part in-depth editorial series where we look ahead at “Farm & Food 2040.” This story focuses on the expanding use of marketing and product differentiation available through food labels and how consumers digest that buffet of information.)

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2017 - Women involved in the agriculture sector from across the country descended on the nation’s capital this week for the American Agri-Women’s annual Legislative Fly-In.