Ag Unity: Common Ground Coalition hosts regional meeting in Nevada

Cattlemen and cattlewomen from a seven-state region recently gathered in Reno, Nev. for the Northwest regional meeting of the Common Ground Coalition, a grassroots organization focused on securing the future of the American livestock industry.

The summit was held April 19-21 and brought together 33 cattle producers from Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California for three days of conversation and connection regarding some of the most pressing issues facing livestock producers in the West.

Three Wyoming ranchers – Jack Berger, Brad Boner and Brett Crosby – were invited to attend the meeting and represent the Cowboy State. 

Among the key issues discussed were support for young and emerging producers, predator control, livestock risk management, ag tax policy, public lands and labor.

Coming together

The Common Ground Coalition is a movement born from the Common Ground Summit, which was held in Denver in April 2025.

Members include cow/calf producers, stocker operators, marketers, feeders and other industry allies united with a common goal of preserving the nation’s food supply.

The coalition has roughly 11,000 members nationwide, with more than 150 members located in Wyoming. 

It serves as a platform for producers to connect over issues affecting the livestock industry across the nation and bring a common message to policymakers.

“The goal is to unify livestock interests and speak with one voice on the critical issues affecting ag,” Boner says. “It is the belief of the coalition coming together is the only way to bring about real change.”

“Instead of each of us going to our Congressional delegation with different versions of the same message, our goal is to come together and give one focused message to our legislators,” Berger adds. “We get more done with a united message.”

Pressing issues

For the Western region, conversations regarding public lands policy, supporting emerging producers and reform to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) took center stage at the Reno, Nev. meeting.

Boner and Berger emphasize rising predation levels and weaponization of the ESA by environmental groups have placed increased pressure on Western producers.

“Detractors have basically weaponized the ESA to take public and private grazing lands out of production by introducing large carnivores into the ecosystem,” Boner explains.

Berger emphasizes pushing for more support for public lands grazing is integral to the future of the livestock industry in the face of a shrinking beef supply and increased property development on farmland.

“Public lands are such an important part of where the nation’s cow herd grazes,” Berger says. “Public lands grazing benefits the whole beef industry, not just producers in the West.”

“We are trying to carry the message to people in the East who might not have as much public land that they should still support it,” he adds.

In addition, Boner emphasizes connecting young producers with established ranchers and focusing on succession planning is a top priority, as proactively encouraging young people to get into ranching helps keep agricultural land operational rather than losing precious acreage to other non-agricultural uses.

“We need to look at avenues to make it easier for young and emerging entrepreneurs who want to be in the cattle business to be able to be in the cattle business,” Boner says, adding investing in the next generation of producers is vital to keeping the ranching industry alive and revitalizing rural communities.

Additional recommendations discussed by Western Region members during the meeting include protecting and restoring grazing acres, expanding access to capital for livestock operations, increasing education around risk management programs and promoting reform to labor programs with the goal of increasing access to labor and improving long-term stability in rural communities. 

Securing the future

The Nevada summit was the first of four regional meetings planned by the Common Ground Coalition for 2026. 

Remaining events are scheduled to take place in Omaha, Neb.; Nashville, Tenn. and Fort Worth, Texas.

Berger and Boner emphasize these events will serve as avenues for producers to unite over pressing issues and continue to advance the Common Ground Coalition’s goal of supporting American agriculture.

“The main goal of the Common Ground Coalition is to identify the things we can all agree on, get our arms around tough issues and try to get wins,” Boner says. 

Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.