Trump Withdraws BLM Director Nomination

August 17, 2020

The White House has confirmed that President Donald Trump is withdrawing Wyoming native William Perry Pendley’s nomination to lead the Bureau of Land Management.

William Perry Pendley became the BLM’s Deputy Director for Policy and Programs in July 2019. President Trump formally nominated Pendley to lead the BLM in June of 2020.

A Department of Interior spokesperson said in a statement that President Trump makes his own staffing decisions and that Pendley continues leading the agency as deputy director for programs and policy.

Environmental and conservation groups strongly opposed the nomination of Pendley, citing his work as in the oil industry and property rights attorney among other concerns. Strong opposition of the nomination by Senate Democrats has also occurred.

It is rumored that Pendley would not have enough votes in the Senate for full conformation.

Pendley has overseen the efforts to relocate the headquarters of the BLM from Washington D.C. to Grand Junction Colorado. The move is opposed by environmentalists but supported by ranchers and other stakeholders of public lands. Supporters of the relocation say it brings the BLM closer to the land, communities and stakeholders the bureau serves.

This is a developing story. Check back for more information.

Source: Western Ag Network

Denver slaughterhouse ban "closes door to generational prosperity"

Martin said Colorado agriculture plays a role outside of the state and globally, and so as scientists, the CSU team that compiled the study felt it was important to speak up in the absence of informat...

Real Beef Triumphs: Lab-Grown Protein Off Military Menus

July 24, 2024 - The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) will not pursue lab-grown protein projects for human consumption in the military, e...

Yearlings and Calves Fetch Top Prices at NLVA Summertime Classic Sale

July 24, 2024 - The Northern Livestock Video Auction's (NLVA) Summertime Classic sale offering 189,000 head of feeder cattle this week. The event, held on July 22, 23, 24 & 25, witnessed robust demand...

Kansas Man Pleads Guilty to Hay Scam

July 23, 2024 - A Kansas man admitted to a fraud charge last week of devising a scheme to steal from Montana and Wyoming ranchers who were seeking to buy hay to feed their livestock during the drought...

Decision on Mexico-U.S. Corn Dispute Expected This Fall

July 23, 2024 - The U.S. has made a strong case in the dispute with Mexico over genetically engineered corn under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, a top official in the Biden administration...

Working to Reduce Obstacles for Red Meat Exports to Canada

July 23, 2024 - Canada is a top five destination for both U.S. beef and pork exports, but shipments are sometimes slowed by regulatory issues. The recent transition to the Public Health Information Sy...

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Comments on President Biden Dropping Out of Presidential Race

July 22, 2024 - "In the 38 years that I have known President Biden, he has consistently and selflessly put our country first—and today is no exception," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "As a r...

Cargill Invests $1 Million in Research on Methane Reduction in Cattle

July 22, 2024 - In an effort to help fund research studying sustainable animal agriculture practices and reducing the environmental impact of the beef industry, Cargill has issued a $1 million grant t...

July 1 Cattle on Feed Up 1% From Year Ago

July 19, 2024 - Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.3 million head on July 1, 2024. The inventory was 1%...

A Strong Bond: Gage and Lambo

When Gage Graves, who is now 11 years old, moved with his family to the Yoder, Colo., area they were all hoping to build upon his existing love of horses with more animals that would be made possible...