Cattle Producers Join President Trump to Push for Tax Relief

June 27, 2025

On Thursday, farmers and ranchers affiliated with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House for an event urging Congress to pass the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and deliver tax relief.

Kevin Kester, a fifth-generation California rancher and NCBA Past-President, attended due to his personal experience with the Death Tax.

“It was an incredible honor to stand with President Trump and echo his message that America’s family farmers and ranchers need tax relief now,” said Kester. “When I was hit with the Death Tax 30 years ago, I couldn’t hire new employees, invest in equipment, or make improvements to the ranch. My family and I had to stretch every dollar and sacrifice basic purchases so that we could pay off that tax bill. To protect our food security and national security, we need to make sure no other farming family experiences that same burden, which is why Congress must pass the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ and deliver lasting tax relief.”

Kester raises cattle with his wife, children, and grandchildren. His grandchildren are the 7th generation of his family involved in agriculture. Over 30 years ago, he inherited the ranch from his grandfather and faced a $2 million Death Tax from the IRS. Today, land values near the Kester ranch have soared as billionaires and non-ag companies buy up thousands of acres, driving up costs for working farmers while removing productive land from agriculture—a double hit to those hardworking Americans producing our nation’s food. These are not just challenges for the Kester family, they’re a growing threat to farmers and ranchers across the country.

President Trump also recognized Virginia Cattlemen’s Association member Jeb Cullipher, a seventh-generation farmer from Virginia Beach. The Cullipher family has been farming in the area for almost 200 years and Jeb added cattle to the farm. For his business to thrive, farmers like Cullipher need Congress to support small business tax deductions, credits, and other provisions that help farmers invest in the success of their operations.

“America’s family farmers and ranchers work hard every single day, and they should be keeping more of their hard-earned money, not sending it to Washington. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has always been a staunch voice for lowering taxes, axing the Death Tax, and protecting producer profitability,” said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ accomplishes all of these priorities and it’s time for Congress to step up and pass this bill.”

Source: NCBA