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want to take the reins and drive our industry and improve our markets, or sit back and take what comes. If they want to help drive, one way to do that is by signing CCMP deduction card at their livestock auction of choice, which is totally voluntary, and giving $.50 for each head of livestock they sell. CCMP is not another organization, but rather a ‘clearinghouse’ of funds divided equally between R-CALF USA , the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and the state stakeholder, which is the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association in South Dakota .” Fox says the sole purpose of the funds is to increase demand for U.S. cattle. CCMP will provide the needed funding to address U.S. cattle marketing and competition issues providing funding for studies, legal fees, and education of our elected officials.

Kenny Fox, Belvidere , S.D. , South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Region 3 Vice President donated a calf to R-CALF at the Valentine Livestock Auction sale earlier that day. Businesses and ranchers alike donated generously to R-CALF, raising nearly $8,000 for the only national cattle organization representing strictly the U.S. cattle industry.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 8, 2004

For more information contact:

Carrie Longwood at 605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

SD Stockgrowers Request Meeting to Complete Brand Contract

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association has invited the S.D. Brand Board to a meeting in Rapid City to conclude negotiations on a contract to carry out the S.D. Ownership Inspection Program, according to Stockgrowers Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa , S.D.

“We’ve discussed contract ideas at numerous meetings, but never hammered out details of a contract,” Fox said.  “The Stockgrowers have been ready to negotiate from day one, and had hoped to be finished with negotiations by now.  The Governor promised us that we would work out a deal by October 1.  That day has come and gone, and we need to finish this deal as soon as we can.”

Ken Knuppe , Buffalo Gap, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President, says that the Brand Board and Stockgrowers agreed at the last meeting on an idea that could work well for the industry and for the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.  “We’ve come to terms on a concept, and now it’s time to see if we can agree on the specifics. If we can, we can.  If not, then let’s move on.”

The Stockgrowers asked the Brand Board to hold a public meeting on either October 15, 2004 or October 19, 2004 at the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association office at 426 St. Joseph St. , Rapid City , S.D.   They hope for a response from the Brand Board soon.

“There is no reason to keep holding meeting after meeting,” Fox says.  “We think the Brand Board will agree that action is needed.”

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regretted. “Our membership has more than doubled since we joined R-CALF. Ranchers can see that it’s a group dedicated to the success of the independent cattle producer and feeder – not the packer, processor or retailer. ”

Carter says that South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Region 3 Vice President Kenny Fox, Belvidere, S.D., and Greg Arendt, Valentine, Neb., have donated a calf to be sold earlier that day at Valentine Livestock Auction, to benefit R-CALF USA .  “ Nebraska has been key to R-CALF’s success from the beginning, and the support just keeps getting stronger,” said Carter.  “We expect to see a lot of businesses and ranchers in town that day to help raise funds for R-CALF. And we hope they’ll stay for the evening meeting too.”

R-CALF and the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association invite everyone to the Thursday evening meeting. 

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the Stockgrowers would have ample time to approve or disapprove of a new contract by October 1, but as of yet this hasn’t occurred.  Hutchinson said the Stockgrowers are still hopeful that a workable, efficient brand inspection contract will be agreed upon for the benefit of all producers.

The Marketing Committee welcomed USDA Undersecretary Bill Hawks for a question and answer session Thursday afternoon.  Hawks answered questions about USDA’s intentions for an animal identification program and said that while brand inspection has been mentioned, it has not been looked at very closely as a viable means of animal identification.  Hawks was strongly encouraged to learn first-hand about the South Dakota ’s program, and promised to return to the state for that purpose.

The Organization for Competitive Market’s (OCM) John Lockie spoke to the Marketing Committee also, explaining the Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP) and answering questions.  According to Lockie, CCMP is a voluntary contribution program designed to allow producers to give to a competition-focused fund that is dedicated to improving markets for U.S. cattle producers. The donations are divided between OCM, R-CALF USA and the state stakeholder to be used strictly for competition issues. “The program is totally voluntary, so if you want to contribute you can, if you don't want to increase demand for U.S. cattle you do not have to contribute,” Lockie said. On Friday afternoon, the Stockgrowers membership chose to become South Dakota ’s stakeholder in the project. For more information or to contribute, contact Lockie at 402-817-4443.

According to Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa , S.D. , G.B. Oliver, Executive Director, Paragon Foundation was a highlight for many who attended the convention.  “There were folks calling for weeks in advance wanting to know when G.B. would speak. About 150 people filled the meeting room Friday morning, discussing property rights and personal freedom issues. The group already agreed that they want him back again next year.”

Fox, who also serves as the Stockgrowers’ Membership Chairman urges everyone to join the Paragon Foundation, R-CALF USA and the Stockgrowers to continue to support the organizations who work for independent producers.

During Friday night’s awards banquet, the Stockgrowers thanked three long-standing brand inspectors for their dedication to the industry. Chief Brand Inspector Jim Reed presented Rick Hall, Fort Pierre , S.D. , Dean Lindwurm, Burke , S.D. , and Thomas Moseley, Camp Crook , S.D. with personalized belt buckles bearing their brands.  Jim Peterson, Mobridge , S.D. , was unable to attend but will be honored at a future Stockgrowers meeting. In addition to the Brand Inspectors, the Stockgrowers recognized the four former members of the S.D. Brand Board who were un-seated earlier this year.  Pete Longbrake, Dupree, S.D., Ken Halligan, Pierre, S.D., Dean Strong, Spearfish, S.D,. and Dick Meyer, Sturgis S.D. , stood as Knuppe thanked them for their integrity and devotion to the state’s producers, and were met with a standing ovation from the dinner crowd.

R-CALF USA Trade Committee Chairman Dennis McDonald, Melville , Mont. , and Picket v. IBP Plaintiff Mike Callicrate, St. Frances Kansas, spoke to the Friday evening crowd, urging all cattle producers to get involved in the issues that affect them – namely competition and international trade. McDonald warned that new Free Trade Agreements currently in negotiation, if passed, will likely cause a seriously heavy strain on the U.S. cattle industry unless safeguards are put into place to protect our domestic industry. 

The Stockgrowers Board of Directors met Saturday morning and welcomed new directors Christian Harvey, Valentine, Neb., Mike Maher, Isabel, S.D. and Lester Longwood, Lemmon, S.D. Secretary of the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks, John Cooper answered questions from the Board about the new prairie dog plan, land acquisition and other issues regarding his agency. During their business meeting, the board chose Bob Fortune, Belvidere , S.D. , to represent the group on the S.D. Beef Industry Council. Fortune joins Tom Connelley, Belle Fourche, S.D., and Ernie Mertz, Bowdle, S.D., and replaces Bob Johnson, Porcupine, S.D., who served the Stockgrowers for two three-year terms.

A golf tournament Saturday afternoon wrapped up the convention and proved to be a challenge as well as a good time for all who participated.  Joe Norman, Rapid City , S.D. , organized the event and pointed the golfers in the right direction.  OCM and Anipro-XF Feeds sponsored the golf tournament, along with several Rapid City businesses.

Knuppe said he thinks one reason for the good turnout during the convention is the open and welcoming attitude of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.  “None of our meetings are closed to anyone – it is our belief that two heads are better than one, and there is always an open invitation to all of our meetings.”

OCM Project Coordinator for CCMP, John Lockie, agrees, but thinks people also turned out for the meetings because the Stockgrowers are sincerely dedicated to pursuing the issues most seriously affecting the cattle producers in South Dakota . “SDSGA is the most active and effective state association in the nation, I am proud to be a member,” said Lockie.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is excited to announce that today's number one, best-selling singer of American Cowboy Music, the Texas-born Country and Western music legend Michael Martin Murphey will perform a benefit concert sponsored by the Paragon Foundation during their annual convention in Rapid City on September 9, 2004. Murphey is the first recording artist to receive an RIAA- certified Gold Album for American Cowboy Music since the late Marty Robbins. Murphey's Rocking 3M Ranching Company is known for it cattle and horse operations in New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Wisconsin.

Judge Roy Moore will precede Murphey's concert as a speaker, with both events to be held back-to-back at the Civic Center Theater. Judge Moore, who refused to remove the Ten Commandments from the courthouse where he served as an Alabama Supreme Court Justice, is world-famous for his outspoken advocacy of keeping "Under God" as the chief cornerstone of All-American institutions.

"We are thrilled that the Paragon Foundation has asked the Stockgrowers to host The Michael Martin Murphey/Judge Roy Moore event right here in our home town during our convention," said Stockgrowers President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D.

Knuppe urges everyone to get tickets for the Thursday night event to be held at the Rapid City Civic Center with Judge Moore beginning at 7:00 pm, and the concert scheduled for 8:30 pm. Tickets are available now and may be purchased through the Civic Center box office at 605-394-4111, 1-800-GOT MINE, gotmine.com, Albertsons in Rapid City or the Silverado in Deadwood and will be good for both events. For all other convention events and meals, register through the Stockgrowers.

Paragon Foundation Executive Director, G.B. Oliver, Alamogordo, N.M., says Michael Martin Murphey, the 2004 inductee into the Western Music Hall of Fame, is an outspoken advocate for the cattle industry, the agricultural people of the world, individual freedoms, the free exercise of religion, and property rights. The legendary cowboy singer and rancher is putting on concerts and special events across the country to increase awareness of property rights and grazing issues affecting the cattle industry in a big way. "The Paragon Foundation is working with Murphey to get these issues in front of the public," Oliver said. "Murphey recently performed a benefit concert for the legal defense of New Mexico rancher Kit Laney, whose cattle and grazing lands were confiscated by the Federal Government."

"A Paragon-sponsored Murphey album is now in the works titled 'Storm over the Rangeland' in recognition of Wayne and Helen Chenoweth Hage, Nevada cattle ranchers who have battled the federal government for over a decade in a property rights and grazing dispute," says Oliver. "We are excited that Murphey will be performing some of the new songs from the upcoming album at the Rapid City concert."

Knuppe says the Stockgrowers, the Paragon Foundation and Michael Martin Murphey agree that education is needed regarding property rights and natural resource use across the Western United States. "We are honored to team up with the Paragon and with Murphey in making this event available to the public." Knuppe says that the Stockgrowers strongly support the Paragon Foundation for their persistent representation of the cattle industry on property rights issues including federal land grazing and private land ownership.

Knuppe goes on to say that the Stockgrowers are equally excited to host Judge Roy Moore during their annual meeting. "Judge Moore is well known across the country for taking a stand and refusing to allow the 10 Commandments to be removed from his courthouse. The Stockgrowers certainly appreciate the Judge's strong convictions and the powerful message that his actions sent across the country."

"The Judge will speak about the foundation of this great nation and the intent of our forefathers who authored the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Judge Moore understands that without a set of standards, neither the people nor the government of this great country will function properly."

Sponsors of Chief Justice Moore include Gerald and Altha Vanderwey, Crookston, NE, Open Box Rafter Ranch, Faith, S.D., Rainbow Bible Camp and Lonetree Ranch, Sturgis, S.D.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages members to contact their local churches and communities to inform them of the upcoming events and urge them to attend.

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Carrie Longwood at 605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

For more information or to register, contact Carrie Longwood at 605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 13, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood

at 605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

For years the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association has used real science to demonstrate that prairie dogs are far from endangered. Yesterday the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) took heed and removed the rodent from the "warranted but precluded" federal list.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Wildlife Management Committee Chairman Mark Devries, Belvidere, S.D., says that in fact the prolific prairie dog is overtaking parts of Southwestern South Dakota. "A couple of years ago, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks figured that about 160,000 acres of South Dakota were inhabited by prairie dogs. The Stockgrowers believed that estimate was extremely low," Devries says. "When the state agreed to perform a new acreage count, they discovered that about 400,000 acres within South Dakota are covered with prairie dogs." Devries says the new, more accurate data from South Dakota and other states helped the USFWS realize that prairie dogs are in no danger of extinction.

Additionally, Devries says that prairie dogs in such large quantities are harmful to the environment. "Prairie dogs in massive numbers, like we’ve got here in Western South Dakota are terribly destructive to the land they inhabit, both federal and private land. They kill forage, leaving desolate, dry land that erodes easily."

Devries said that the Stockgrowers are hopeful that range conditions will improve on federal lands now that the management agencies will have the authority to control prairie dogs. "As long as the prairie dog was considered warranted for listing, all control measures on federal land were banned. As a result, forage was wiped out, eliminating grazing opportunities for both wildlife and livestock. Not only were federal lands destroyed by prairie dogs but also adjoining private lands. We look forward to management by federal agencies that will address the range conditions needed to sustain multiple uses on federal land inhabited by prairie dogs and protect the forage resources of the private individuals it neighbors."

In 2000, the USFWS determined that the prairie dog deserved protection under the Endangered Species Act resulting from inaccurate data they received. Because there were other species that the agency believed needed more attention, the prairie dog was deemed warranted but precluded from listing and waited in limbo to be either listed as endangered or removed from the list altogether.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is grateful to South Dakota’s congressional delegation as well as state authorities for petitioning the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for prairie dog de-listing.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 2, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association opposes attempts to make Country of Origin Labeling, a vital marketing tool for U.S. cattle producers, voluntary rather than mandatory.

"Voluntary Country of Origin Labeling has been available for years," says South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D. "The packers and retailers have much to gain by forgoing labels that identify ‘product of Mexico’ or ‘product of Brazil.’ Their refusal to provide that information to consumers is proof to me that they believe it would cut into their profits."

According to South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Marketing Committee Chairman Bob Fortune, Belvidere, S.D., HR 4576, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 15, 2004, is designed to kill Country of Origin Labeling. "Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) along with Charlie Stenholm (D-TX) have been against Country of Origin Labeling all along. This effort to attain voluntary Country of Origin Labeling is simply a tactic to delay, or worse yet, abolish a meaningful and enforceable mandatory Country of Origin Labeling law."

Fortune says that the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association believes mandatory Country of Origin Labeling is needed, especially with the Free Trade Agreements in negotiation. "We’re competing on a global level today, and in order to market our superior product to those consumers searching for ‘the best,’ we must be able to label our product." Additionally, Fortune says, the foreign product must be labeled in order to accurately inform consumers.

Fox agrees, saying, "It’s clear that the meat industry, including packers, processors and grocery stores benefits financially by keeping consumers uninformed. If they truly wanted the public to have the opportunity to make sound purchasing decisions, they would embrace Country of Origin Labeling."

Processors and retailers take advantage of the public misperception that "USDA inspected" means product of the U.S., says Fox. "The reason that a voluntary program won’t benefit producers or consumers is that the retailer will never voluntarily put a Mexican or Canadian stamp on a package of hamburger. They know it would cause concern among consumers. They’re protecting their interests by opposing Country of Origin Labeling. We’re protecting our interests by supporting it. It’s just good business sense."

R-CALF USA Country of Origin Labeling Chairperson Danni Beer, Keldron, S.D., says the tactics used in Congress to circumvent a mandatory labeling law are inexcusable, especially after the BSE infected cow from Canada was discovered in Washington state. "It is irresponsible for our elected officials to hide Country of Origin Labeling information by pretending to create a ‘new’ voluntary system. The supporters of Goodlatte’s voluntary Country of Origin Labeling bill, HR 4576, simply want to deceive the beef-buying public into believing they will have access to Country of Origin Labeling information, which simply isn’t going to happen."

Beer goes on to say that the American public was "stabbed in the back" when the mandatory Country of Origin Labeling law included in the 2002 Farm Bill was delayed in the appropriations process.

Fox says that the Stockgrowers appreciate Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth’s support for mandatory Country of Origin Labeling. "With a seat on the House Ag Committee, Stephanie will have ample opportunity to express South Dakota’s support for a mandatory, not voluntary law."

According to Fox, Herseth is co-sponsoring HR 3993 with Congresswomen Bono (R-CA) and Hooley (D-OR) to re-instate the original mandatory Country of Origin Labeling implementation date, which is September of this year.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.com

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association found discrepancies and problems within the state’s proposed prairie dog management plan substantial enough to warrant withdrawal of the plan, according to President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D.

"The Stockgrowers biggest concern is that the plan offers no enforceable protection for landowners in high impact areas - those areas bordering state and federal lands that are encroached upon by prairie dogs," said Knuppe.

Knuppe goes on to pinpoint another major concern. "Although the Game, Fish and Parks has identified a need to improve communication between the agency and landowners, they unfortunately have not taken into consideration the communication they have received on this issue. Through working groups, meetings and one-on-one discussions, the Stockgrowers have expressed the need for sensible prairie dog management of public and private lands. At least three of South Dakota’s largest ag groups were represented on a prairie dog working group along with the Game, Fish and Parks and wildlife organizations, and the ag producers’ input was virtually ignored," Knuppe said.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Wildlife Management Committee Chairman Mark Devries, Belvidere, S.D., represented the organization on the state working group, but said that his suggestions, as well as those from other producers, were not taken into account in the final draft of the plan. "I hope the Game, Fish and Parks will withdraw this plan, and implement the meaningful, common sense input they have received from landowners across the state in order to develop a truly workable prairie dog management plan that benefits South Dakota."

DeVries adds that while the Game, Fish and Parks or the Department of Agriculture are jointly responsible for management of prairie dogs, neither agency’s duties are clearly outlined in the plan. It is not clear, according to DeVries, who, if anyone, takes responsibility for the success or failure of the plan. The Stockgrowers’ comments included concern for that issue.

In their comments, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association reminded the Game, Fish and Parks of the huge financial loss the state incurs from prairie dogs competing with cattle for forage. "It is not just the individual rancher who is affected when he’s forced to reduce his herd size to accommodate prairie dogs. Our entire state suffers from loss of taxes, as well as businesses that rely on the cattle industry. Even more ironic is the idea that our tax dollars should be used to support the destruction of range land, and the reduction of cattle numbers," said Knuppe and Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice President, in the Stockgrowers’ official comments.

The Stockgrowers went on to discuss the concerns of the state’s dry condition, enhanced by prairie dogs. "Especially in this time of drought, South Dakota’s ranchers are conscientious of every management decision they make, and how their grass and water will be affected," Knuppe and Fox commented. "When grass is dry and sparse, ranchers must move or sell cattle in order to keep the range land in good condition. They must plan for the future by protecting their most valuable asset - grass. Unfortunately, even during dry years, prairie dogs are left unmanaged on federal lands, creating a situation of overgrazing, and elimination of forage."

The Stockgrowers point out that the state of South Dakota already bears "a disproportionate portion of the burden of prairie dogs across the country." According to the state-sponsored census, South Dakota’s prairie dog numbers account for 25% of the total "goal" of the 11 state working group for the year 2011.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association urged the S.D. Game, Fish to withdraw the plan, and start fresh using input from South Dakota’s producers, their organizations and local governments to develop a plan that truly benefits South Dakota. As an alternative, the Stockgrowers urge that the Game, Fish and Parks implement the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association suggestions into the plan.

For a copy of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association comments, contact Carrie Longwood at 605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com.

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605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.com

For a copy of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association testimony, contact Carrie Longwood at 605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 10, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association addressed several key issues affecting South Dakota cattle producers during their second quarterly meeting for the year in Hot Springs, June 7-8, 2004.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., said the group discussed the new prairie dog plan, brand inspection, the Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project and the drought throughout their two-day meeting. "As always, our committees and our board meaningfully dealt with those issues seriously affecting our industry."

Monday evening, John Lockie, Program Coordinator for the Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP) spoke to the Stockgrowers about CCMP, spearheaded by the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM), and encouraged the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association to become South Dakota’s stakeholder group in the project. "The purpose of CCMP is to support research and education projects focused on restoring competitiveness to the U.S. cattle market," said Lockie.

The project is a unique program that involves producers, auction markets and producer organizations, said Lockie. "Auction markets have the opportunity to sign on with CCMP to collect a voluntary contribution from their consignors. The funds given by producers who choose to do so are divided equally between OCM, R-CALF and the state stakeholder group."

According to Knuppe, organizations like OCM and R-CALF benefit producers by concentrating on marketing and competition issues, but it takes a tremendous amount of funding to keep them going strong. "Across the state of South Dakota, we’ve put on numerous calf sales to benefit R-CALF and to put a full time lobbyist in Washington to work on market issues for the U.S. live cattle industry. While those fund-raisers have been outstanding, they probably cannot provide the consistent war chest of funding necessary for issues needing immediate attention. CCMP will provide long term funding for pro-competition issues and our producer organizations. "Producers can see first-hand the benefits of such organizations, and want to support them to ensure the groups’ longevity," Knuppe said. He adds that that the Stockgrowers board likes the idea because it is voluntary, so no producer will contribute against his or her will, and it is directed strictly toward issues affecting producer profitability.

As a membership-driven organization, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association will rely on their members to make the final decision regarding the Stockgrowers position as South Dakota’s stakeholder, said Knuppe. "The Board likes CCMP and recommends to our membership that the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association become South Dakota’s stakeholders in the project. But as with all policy, we will leave the final decision up to our members."

Knuppe encourages producers and auction markets to contact the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association at 605-342-0429 or John Lockie, CCMP Program Director at 406-628-9850 for more information on CCMP.

The Board also approved policy to reaffirm the Stockgrowers’ commitment to consumer safety and confidence in U.S. beef. South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., says the policy recognizes consumers as U.S. cattle producers’ most important asset and expresses a desire to enhance the Stockgrowers’ working relationship with U.S. consumer groups.

"We wanted to make it clear that the Stockgrowers continue to view U.S. consumers as our allies, and that honesty and openness with them is the best policy. Additionally, the policy supported by our board clarifies a separation from the NCBA and specifies the fact that the NCBA does not represent or speak for the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association," said Fox.

Knuppe said the Stockgrowers also discussed the new proposed prairie dog plan at length. "The state recently released their new prairie dog plan which, unfortunately looks nearly identical to the plan they showed us three years ago." Knuppe encourages ranchers to call the state Game, Fish and Parks office at 773-4192 to request a copy of the plan, and to prepare comments quickly to beat the June 25 deadline. "I hope every landowner sends comments to the Game, Fish and Parks to let them know that we need prairie dog control on state and federal lands. Federal land management agencies are poor neighbors when it comes to prairie dogs. When they don’t control the pests, they inevitably destroy private land along with federal land. At a minimum, we need a buffer zone between those who want prairie dogs, and those of us who don’t."

According to Knuppe, the Stockgrowers Brand and Theft Committee met two of South Dakota’s new Brand Board members - Lyndell Petersen from Hermosa and Tom Conger from Buffalo Gap. "We let them know that we are ready to sit down and negotiate a new contract anytime, we’ve been ready since March."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 27, 2004

For more information contact:

Carrie Longwood at 605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association agrees with R-CALF USA and the nation’s three biggest consumer groups that sound science must prevail in discussions regarding BSE risk associated with Canadian meat and livestock.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe has serious concerns about USDA’s attitude toward the Canadian border. "USDA broke their own rules by allowing several types of forbidden beef into the United States from Canada. It is time for USDA to put the health and safety of U.S. consumers and producers before the financial interests of foreign countries and multi-national corporations."

Knuppe said the Stockgrowers back R-CALF’s position that the USDA should follow the same scientific approach with Canada as they have done with every other beef exporting nation who has discovered BSE in their native herds. "According to OIE standards, the U.S. does not accept ruminant products from a country with a native case of BSE until 7 years have passed since the disease discovery and eradication. It is my understanding that the USDA has always adhered to these standards in the past, and to abandon them now is unscientific and reckless. We are talking the health of the American consumer here."

According to Knuppe, the Stockgrowers also support R-CALF’s position that the USDA needs to identify, track and test at the point of slaughter, all Canadian cattle currently within the United States’ borders. In addition, a scientific risk analysis should be completed to determine the prevalence of BSE in Canada and the likelihood the disease crossing the border. "USDA keeps talking about sound science, but it appears that their decisions are based more on political pressure than science. The health of the American public as well as the U.S. cattle herd are at risk, and USDA needs to recognize that," Knuppe said.

Knuppe said that the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association commented to USDA during the formal comment period, asking that the border remain closed to imports of live cattle and ruminant products from Canada until more information could be gathered to determine the level of risk associated with importing those products.

Just days after the comment period ended for those products, USDA issued a memo to certain importers of Canadian beef products that they could immediately begin shipment of processed beef, totally disregarding the rulemaking process. Knuppe said it was then quickly discovered that USDA had actually approved shipment of many of those products, going against the very rule they promulgated in August of 2003 which prohibited all beef products except boneless beef derived from cattle under 30 months of age.

"The Stockgrowers hope USDA will take immediate steps to incorporate the scientific standards followed by the rest of the world in their future decisions," Knuppe said. "It is time they listened to the people of the U.S., rather than foreign leaders and corporate giants."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 14, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association invites everyone to Hot Springs, S.D., on June 7, 2004, to visit with friends and hear speakers on several aspects of the cattle industry.

The Stockgrowers Quarterly Meeting will officially convene with registration at 8:00 am Monday morning, June 7, at the Mueller Civic Center, with free rolls and coffee sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank.

"We encourage ranchers from the Hot Springs area as well as those from further away to join us for the issues-oriented meeting we’ve lined up," said South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D.

"Many producers face a critical juncture in their operations as they decide how they will handle the drought, what to expect regarding animal identification and many other issues," Knuppe said. "The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is truly committed to representing the independent cattle producer on each and every issue and we certainly welcome new members as well as long-standing members to Hot Springs to help us make decisions that will influence local, state and national policy. The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages producers to hear the speakers we’ve got coming, and take part in our meetings in order to provide input on these current issues."

Stockgrowers Region 3 Vice President Kenny Fox, Belvidere, S.D., will report to the Animal ID Committee regarding a 2-day seminar he attended in Virginia earlier this month. "The Stockgrowers have serious concerns about USDA’s proposed animal identification plan," says Fox. "I’ve read their plan several times and just can’t see how the costs are justified. The purpose of the proposal is trace back, which is already being done through our brand inspection program. Adding another level of bureaucracy in the ag department, and mandating an additional expense on cattle producers is not economically feasible to producers or taxpayers. But most of all, it’s unnecessary because the proposed benefits are available through existing systems."

Knuppe says that in addition to animal identification, there will be speakers on subjects including conservation, prairie dogs and state and national ag policy.

Knuppe invites ranchers to morning and afternoon committee meetings as well as lunch at the Mueller Civic Center. Then, everyone is welcome to join the Stockgrowers for a 6:00 pm supper to hear speaker John Lockie, Organization for Competitive Markets, followed by a dance with a live band. All evening events will be held at the American Legion.

Event sponsors include Wells Fargo Bank of Hot Springs, Dakota Hills Realty of Hot Springs, Wyatt’s Real Estate of Hot Springs, Midtown Motors of Hot Springs, Community First Bank of Hot Springs, Fall River Veterinary Clinic of Hot Springs, Stanley Nase, CPA of Hot Springs, Ranchers Feed and Seed of Buffalo Gap, First Western Bank of Edgemont, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network of Rapid City, Hubbard Feeds of Rapid City, Farm Credit Services of Rapid City.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 3, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetowork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

Cattle producers and feeders from the states of South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska are invited to attend an evening of good food and good conversation focused on current cattle industry issues.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages anyone with ties to the cattle industry to join them for a complimentary meal followed by speakers from two national organizations - Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) and the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM). The meal and meeting will be held at Joe Dean’s in Yankton, S.D., on May 21, at 5:00 pm CDT.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Executive Director Carrie Longwood, Rapid City, S.D., says that following a complimentary meal, R-CALF USA’s Bill Bullard, Billings, Mont., and OCM’s Steve Cady, Omaha, Neb., will talk about the focus of their respective organizations. Both groups seek to establish fair and equitable markets for cattle producers and feeders.

The audience will learn about the Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project and the latest news on the Pickett v. IBP case from Cady. Afterward, the audience will be encouraged to ask questions of both national organizations, as well as the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

Bullard will discuss the Temporary Restraining Order that a circuit court judge placed on USDA to halt any additional Canadian meat products from crossing the border.

"The judge has set a May 11, 2004, date to hear our case, so we hope to have updated information to share with the folks in Yankton on May 21," Bullard said.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages cattle producers to make an investment in the future of the industry: help fund R-CALF’s litigation against USDA, which will come with a predicted pricetag of about $650,000. "Contributing to the injunction is a smart business move," said Longwood. "Clearly, health issues are affecting economics, and it is imperative that US cattle producers work to keep a healthy US cattle herd as well as a strong market. We can’t expect anyone else to do that for us."

Longwood said that the Stockgrowers will auction a brand new Made in the USA Henry .22 rifle, donated by a local R-CALF USA member to raise funds for R-CALF USA’s litigation fund.

"We look forward to meeting with cattle folks from in and around the Yankton area, to hear their concerns and ideas regarding the cattle industry, and visit with them about the issues we face on a day-to-day basis," said South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D.

"We cattle producers are dealing with issues every day that have an impact on our business - from international trade to animal health, and it is important that we work together to achieve the best possible solution for the industry on each and every issue," Fox said. "The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association hopes that we will have the chance to make new acquaintances from the region who are sure to have questions as well as ideas about the future of our industry."

The Stockgrowers welcome individuals from all groups, as well as those who do not belong to an agricultural organization.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 23, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports R-CALF USA who, with the backing of cattle organizations and consumer groups across the country, filed an injunction today to prohibit USDA from further opening the Canadian border to beef and live cattle.

"We found out just this weekend that USDA is forging ahead with their plans to further loosen restrictions on Canadian imports of meat," said Kenny Fox, Belvidere, S.D., South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Animal Health Committee Chairman. "Despite an outpouring of opposition from producers, feeders and consumers across the country to USDA Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) proposal to allow live cattle and more processed beef from Canada, USDA confirmed on Monday that bone-in beef and hamburger will now be allowed across the border. This is in addition to massive quantities of boneless beef that have crossed the border since last summer, and continue to be consumed by Americans."

In their recent comments to the USDA APHIS, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association clearly opposed USDA’s proposal to allow more Canadian meat, as well as live cattle, to enter the United States.

"Canada has produced two cows found to be infected with BSE in the last 12 months," said Fox. "The U.S. has never had BSE in our domestic herd and we do not want to invite BSE from Canada or any other country. In the interest of both human and animal welfare, we must protect the health of our domestic cattle herd. Allowing beef and live cattle from Canada at this point goes against the standards set by our world health organization, as well as the protocol that the U.S. has followed with all other BSE infected countries. To open our border further could set a precedent to allow the U.S. to become a dumping ground for beef from countries with BSE in their herds."

Fox is concerned that additional Canadian beef and/or live cattle in the U.S. marketplace will not only jeopardize the health of the U.S. cattle herd, but will also create marketing difficulties for American producers.

"Our export market is practically nonexistent at this point, because of the BSE infected cow found in Washington state, born in Alberta, Canada," Fox said. "Japan, one of our major beef customers, has asked for Country of Origin Labeling to ensure that they receive beef from cattle strictly born, raised and slaughtered right here in the U.S. Without mandatory Country of Origin Labeling to give the Japanese and our other export customers assurances that we can differentiate U.S. beef from foreign beef, it is illogical to add more foreign meat to our production lines."

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., agrees, adding that additional cattle and beef from Canada will strain an already fragile and volatile U.S. cattle market. "Without our export markets, it is irresponsible to think that additional beef and cattle can be dropped into our market without harming our domestic price. U.S. producers will suffer many consequences of Canadian live cattle and additional Canadian beef - just one of those being an oversupply and resulting drop in price of our untainted domestic product."

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages all consumers and producers to send their financial support to R-CALF USA at P.O. Box 30715, Billings, MT 59107, to help fund the injunction.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 19, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

Ten members of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association met over breakfast with Congressman Richard Pombo (R-CA) April 19, 2004, to visit about current issues affecting the cattle industry in South Dakota.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., says that Congressman Pombo, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Resources Committee, seemed to agree with the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association on policies relating to property rights and grazing issues.

"Congressmen Pombo told us that he’s the fifth generation on his cattle ranch in California, and that he ran for Congress about 12 years ago mainly to address the concerns he has with the Endangered Species Act (ESA)," Knuppe said. "The Stockgrowers have long believed that the ESA is being used as a tool to remove ranchers from the land, and Congressman Pombo agrees wholeheartedly. Congressman Pombo said his main concerns are that sound science is not being used to list species, and that ‘critical habitat’ designations are detrimental to private property owners, because they take away private property rights. The Stockgrowers look forward to working with Congressman Pombo to amend the ESA, to create a more workable and effective document."

Knuppe says that in recent years, "endangered" has been a dirty word to most ranchers because all too often, livestock producers bear the brunt of recovery efforts that have shown a very poor rate of success. "It seems that so-called "environmental" groups are just searching for species to designate endangered, often inaccurately, just so they can take away our land rights or our water rights. Congressman Pombo recognizes this epidemic, because he deals with it on his home ranch in California."

According to Knuppe, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association also visited with Congressman Pombo about Country of Origin Labeling, an issue that the California rancher has not supported in the past. "We explained to him why labeling is essential for South Dakota producers, and all American producers, competing in today’s global economy," Knuppe said.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Region 1 Vice President, Larry Nelson, Buffalo, S.D., says that the group also talked about the BSE situation in Canada. "We also expressed our concern with the public comments that Ag Secretary Ann Veneman has made in regard to the ‘North American beef industry.’" Nelson said that the Stockgrowers believe that it is the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to look after the U.S. cattle and beef industries first and foremost.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 7, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

In a letter to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association today expressed its opposition to the proposal to allow Canadian live cattle into the United States.

APHIS is the agency responsible for "protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health," according to the USDA Website.

"The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association opposes the proposal to open the Canadian border to live cattle. In addition, we urge USDA to ban the importation of any beef from Canada at this time, including the boxed beef that is currently allowed into this country," said Stockgrowers President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., in the letter.

The Stockgrowers stressed to USDA that Canada is not considered "minimal risk" for BSE, as the feed ban on ruminant by-products has not been in place for the required length of time.

"Currently, the United States is classified as a BSE Provisionally Free Country or Zone, under OIE standards, and for the USDA to facilitate the movement of Canadian live cattle into the United States will put the United States cattle herd at high risk of losing that status," Knuppe stated in the letter.

He went on to remind USDA of South Dakota’s, and the country’s, reliance on the cattle industry as an economic factor. Knuppe said, "The cattle industry is vital to the economic well-being of South Dakota, and the United States. When the cattle industry struggles, so do many other segments of the economy. We’ve witnessed firsthand the taxpayer burden that BSE caused in Canada. Do we want the same for U.S. taxpayers?"

Knuppe reminded USDA officials that, with the U.S. beef export market effectively stalled, re-opening the Canadian border to live cattle will create an oversupply situation in the U.S., forcing U.S. cattle prices down.

Regarding the letter and his comments, Knuppe said, "It is our responsibility, as producers, to let USDA know what we think, and what’s best for us. We in the cattle industry will control our own destiny. We can’t expect anyone else to work in our favor; we have to do it for ourselves. Ranchers know what it takes to make a profit in this business - we have to stand up for that."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

In a late night meeting that ran into the early morning of March 15, 2004, the last legislative day, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association came to terms with Governor Rounds and other Republican leaders on a deal that will renew the Stockgrowers/Brand Board ownership inspection contract at least until April 1, 2005.

Both the Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly supported legislation to implement the changes agreed upon. Secretary of Agriculture Larry Gabriel and South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., testified before each legislative body in favor of the proposed legislation.

The Stockgrowers had been asked previously to sponsor legislation to change the brand board makeup, but had not been given any assurances that they would subsequently be offered a contract.

"Our contract had been canceled, effective August of this year, and our concern was that we would have no chance of negotiating another one," Knuppe. "Our goal has always been and remains: effective, consistent brand inspection that benefits producers and works for the auction markets. The agreement made late Sunday night addresses those concerns because it gives us another year to manage the brand inspection program, and assures us the opportunity to negotiate a new contract with the new brand board that the Governor appoints."

Knuppe said that the Stockgrowers feel comfortable negotiating a new contract now, because if they hit a roadblock with the new brand board, they will have the opportunity to go before the 2005 legislative body and work on legislative changes if necessary. The April 1 extension gives them that flexibility.

According to Knuppe, the legislature approved a couple changes to the current law that dictates the Brand Board selection process. "The Brand Board members will now serve for three years instead of five. Previously, the Governor had been required to choose people who own registered brands, and who make a living in the livestock business. Now only three of the five members need to meet that criteria. He also isn’t required to utilize nominations made by ag organizations."

"The Stockgrowers are pleased that we will continue to have the opportunity to provide quality, consistent and efficient brand inspection to the producers in this state," Knuppe said. "Our loyalty lies with cattle producers. We weigh each and every decision we make as an organization to determine the best way to represent and benefit the cattle industry. South Dakota producers were telling the Governor and the Stockgrowers that we provide the best brand inspection possible. We are happy to see that it will continue that way. We applaud our brand inspectors for their conscientious work and their attitudes of service. They are the backbone of this system, and they deserve a thank you."

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., says he appreciates the producers, legislators and auction market owners statewide who stood up for the Stockgrowers and the current inspection program. "I personally would like to thank each and every producer and salebarn operator who called, e-mailed and wrote our state leaders and legislators - showing overwhelming support for an inspection program in the hands of cattle people. I also want to extend my thanks to the legislators for their support. Several testified that they would not be comfortable with a government-run inspection program that is currently managed well by an industry whose livelihood depends on effective theft prevention. We are fortunate that our legislators truly understand and represent the people of this state. Their commitment to a viable cattle industry is evident, and does not go unnoticed."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association will not support Governor Rounds’ request to strip the Brand Board of its long-standing ties to the livestock industry.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Brand and Theft Committee Chairman Bill Hutchinson, White River, S.D., says that currently the Governor must select Brand Board members who own brands recorded in S.D., and who derive the major portion of their income from the livestock industry. "A Brand Board made up of people why rely on the livestock industry and who possess a working knowledge of hot brands is vital," Hutchinson said. "The Brand Inspection Program is paid for only by producers, and therefore should be governed by producers. A lawyer or a banker, while well intentioned, wouldn’t have the hands-on experience with brands to make informed decisions. They could accidentally issue conflicting brands or allow a brand to be recorded that might look good on paper but wouldn’t work in a real-life situation."

Hutchinson, a brand inspector himself, says that maybe the Governor hasn’t attended enough Brand Board meetings to know exactly what the Board members do. "They are responsible for dealing with the public on all brand-related matters, like making judgment calls on brands that are issued or not issued. They also have to understand brand inspection in order to carry out the contract."

"It is illogical to expect the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, a producer-run organization, to support a proposal to potentially eliminate producer input into the brand inspection and brand recording programs," Hutchinson said. "I don’t understand where the Governor was coming from when he asked us to carry legislation to give him the authority to choose Brand Board members with no ties to the livestock industry. The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association has a responsibility to the cattle producers in this state. Without representation, even though we fund the program, we would have no say in the way the brand laws are administered. We as producers would be cutting our own throats."

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Executive Director Carrie Longwood says that the Governor’s staff told her that the Governor will not consider allowing a brand inspection contract with the Stockgrowers unless the Stockgrowers support the amendment to the brand laws.

Longwood told Rob Skjonsberg, Governor Rounds’ Chief of Staff that the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association does not support the elimination of livestock people from the Brand Board.

Even though the Governor had originally told the Stockgrowers Board of Directors that he would meet with them to discuss negotiating a new contract, yesterday Skjonsberg told Longwood that, "Given your decision, we will continue to plan and make preparations to administer the livestock inspection program through the brand board."

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., says he is curious how much time and taxpayer money the state has spent in battle with the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association. "The Brand Inspection Program has always been funded completely by brand inspection fees - paid by producers. But the state’s continual confrontation of the Stockgrowers has burdened taxpayers. The accusations about our finances and the follow-up by the legislative auditors office that proved that our books are in order; the DCI investigation and report that showed very few instances of concern, no criminal intent, and no activities punishable in the court system; and now the plan to run the brand inspection program under state control - how much taxpayer money has the state used in the last 8 months just to prove that the Stockgrowers are doing a good job?"

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 26, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

Brand inspection was on the minds of at least 50 Stockgrowers who participated in their recent Quarterly Meeting February 19-20, 2004 in Pierre, S.D. at the Iron Horse Inn.

Although many thoughts were focused on brand inspection, the Stockgrowers remain committed to dealing with all issues of concern to producers. Through their committees, they worked on a number of topics ranging from property rights to animal identification.

The Animal Health and Animal ID Committees were the first to convene and members discussed national identification with state veterinarian Dr. Sam Holland at length before approving a resolution.

Next, the Brand and Theft Committee met with a full house of concerned folks determined to establish a positive strategy in dealing with the last week’s occurrences and communicating with the administration about the need for an effective, producer-governed brand inspection program.

Brand Committee Chairman Bill Hutchinson, White River, S.D., shared the history of the past week with the people in the room. Stockgrowers

Lobbyist Mark Hollenbeck, Edgemont, S.D., told the group that the administration is willing to work with the Stockgrowers to write a new contract and told the group of a few items the state is interested in including in the contract. Hollenbeck also said that the Governor may be interested in changing the makeup of the Brand Board. It was the general consensus that the current Brand Board selection process doesn’t need to be changed. The group didn’t show opposition to a banker or a lender holding a seat on the board, as long as that person fulfills the requirements set forth in statute.

The committee discussed what action, if any, needed to be taken at that time. The committee decided that President Ken Knuppe would appoint a negotiating team of three members to work with the administration on a new contract.

The following morning during the Board of Directors meeting, Knuppe appointed Stockgrowers Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., Stockgrowers Brand Committee Chairman and Immediate Past President Bill Hutchinson, White River, S.D., and Stockgrowers member Dan Holloway, Rapid City, S.D., to the negotiating committee. According to Knuppe, the Governor asked the negotiating committee to meet with Secretary Larry Gabriel, Attorney General Larry Long, representatives from the livestock auction markets, and maybe legislators to work on a new contract.

The Stockgrowers broke for lunch, then began more committee meetings. The Wildlife Management Committee and the Education/ Taxation/Legislation Committees heard from several guest speakers. First, Dennis Fischer, a rancher from Northeastern S.D., spoke about the negative experience his family has had with permanent conservation easements. Chris Hesla, S.D. Wildlife Federation; Doug Hanson, S.D. Game, Fish and Parks; and Scott Larson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service each spoke regarding property rights issues. The topics ranged from the Open Fields Doctrine to Conservation Easements. When asked why his members didn’t support the Open Fields Doctrine bill, Hesla told the group that it is an "East River, West River thing." He said that if the law were only to apply West of the Missouri River, they would support the concept, but they don’t believe that permission to enter property East of the River is necessary.

After Committee Meetings, the Stockgrowers moved to the VFW where they hosted a Legislative Mixer. Many legislators stopped to visit and offer encouragement on the brand inspection issue. Senate Candidate John Thune and Senator Tom Daschle both made appearances as well.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Board of Directors met Friday morning. The board approved two resolutions, one that states they don’t support a mandatory national identification system, as no information indicates that an additional system would track livestock more quickly or efficiently than current identification systems.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 24, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

Governor Rounds said in a press report last week that he hopes to change the method by which the S.D. Brand Board is selected, so he can choose people who are "independent" of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., says that it is imperative that the Brand Board members are involved in the livestock industry. "Of course the Brand Board shouldn’t consist of five prominent Stockgrower members - we’ve never even suggested that, but they should have first-hand knowledge and experience in the cattle business."

Knuppe says that of the previous five Brand Board members, only two were members of the Stockgrowers - Dean Strong and Ken Halligan. Since Strong just joined the Stockgrowers in the fall of 2002, he was not a member of the Stockgrowers for the vast majority of the time he spent on the Brand Board. Strong was nominated by the auction markets and represented their views on the board.

"Ken Halligan is the only member of that previous board that the Stockgrowers nominated," Knuppe says. "To say that the Stockgrowers controlled that Brand Board is simply not true. Sure, Ken Halligan was a liaison between the Stockgrowers and that Brand Board, and that’s key for good communication, but he was one of five members."

Knuppe says the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association doesn’t believe changes need to be made in the selection process. "Currently, any statewide non-profit ag organization can make nominations. The nominees must derive the major portion of their income from livestock, must own a S.D. brand, at least three must live in the inspection area, and there may be no more than three from one political party." Knuppe said the Stockgrowers believe these criteria are useful in choosing individuals who will make sound decisions regarding brand laws in S.D.

"The system requires people who depend on the livestock industry to sit on the Brand Board. That’s important, and it’s necessary that those individuals have experience with hot brands, because only those producers truly understand the need for a viable, effective brand inspection program. Ranchers are the people with the most to gain from a good program and the most to lose from a poor one. And by utilizing ag organizations to narrow down the field, the governor should have a list of informed, active individuals to choose from," Knuppe said.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 23, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association met Tuesday with Governor Rounds to talk about South Dakota brand inspection.

Rounds told the Board of Directors and several West River Legislators in the meeting that the Brand Board had voted to terminate the brand inspection contract with the Stockgrowers six days prior. Rounds also told the group that the reason he had dismissed four of the five brand board members the evening before was that he had concerns about harassment and intimidation regarding the Brand Board’s earlier meeting.

"The Governor’s comment seemed ironic given the fact that three of the four members he had fired last night were at today’s meeting at Ft. Pierre Livestock," said South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Brand Committee Chairman Bill Hutchinson, White River, S.D. "The former Brand Board members were thanked time and again yesterday by producers for their devotion to the cattle industry and the integrity they showed throughout their terms on the board."

A crowd of at least 300 expressed their concern about the fate of the brand inspection program by showing up at the capitol that afternoon. Ranchers and livestock market operators from across the state had met earlier at Ft. Pierre Livestock in order to gain the newest information and attempt to understand the last few days’ proceedings. The group was in agreement that the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association manages the brand inspection program effectively and efficiently. Concern about a state-run program was evident. A representative from the S.D. Livestock Auction Markets Association reported, in a meeting two days prior, they had voted unanimously to support the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association managing the brand inspection program.

The Governor told the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Board of Directors that he may now be interested in negotiating another contract with the Stockgrowers.

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., says the Governor told the group that he believes the state can run brand inspection more efficiently. "He asked Secretary of Agriculture Larry Gabriel to share a few of his numbers with us, and when we asked Secretary Gabriel about certain expenses that are incurred by the program, it sounded like there were budget items they hadn’t included," said Knuppe.

"The Governor said although he is prepared to implement a state-run program if necessary, he is also willing to talk with us about maintaining a brand inspection contract," said Knuppe.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 22, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

According a recent news release the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recently commissioned a survey of South Dakotans regarding Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).

In an effort to determine who had been surveyed, the SDSGA contacted approximately 450 SDSGA members, asking if they had been involved in the NCBA poll. Only one SDSGA member thought he had been surveyed, but wasn’t sure. The remaining responses were unmistakable "no’s."

SDSGA member Danni Beer, Keldron, S.D., said, "NCBA admits that ‘in this state, more than any other, support from cattle producers for the mandatory law is widespread’ but then they attempt to discredit South Dakota producers saying that ‘a great deal of confusion still exists about the scope of the law.’"

Beer says that as the COOL Committee Chairperson of R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) and a member of the SDSGA, she has remained informed on the details of COOL. "I don’t agree that South Dakotan’s are uninformed," she said. "We understand mandatory Country of Origin Labeling and we want it, plain and simple."

According to Beer, NCBA reportedly asked whether or not cattlemen knew "what they need to do" to comply with the mandatory COOL law. "SDSGA and R-CALF USA have submitted several comments on USDA’s proposed rules for COOL and are now waiting for the final rule. There isn’t much more that we can know regarding compliance at this point. We’ve held two industry COOL summits for the purpose of developing an industry-wide recommendation to USDA on how producers can verify origins of cattle at no cost."

SDSGA Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D., spent January 20, 2004, meeting personally with Senators in Washington, DC, to convince them to eliminate a two-year delay for COOL that’s currently included in the omnibus appropriations package. Fox says, "Just ask South Dakota’s senators - the people in South Dakota understand COOL, and they want COOL. That’s the message our senators say they’ve heard from South Dakota."

"The NCBA President says that ‘this is not the time or the place’ to enforce mandatory Country of Origin Labeling," Fox says. "I disagree 100% - there was never a more urgent time to implement Country of Origin Labeling for meat than in light of the recent discovery of BSE. Our export customers are demanding labeling. Our industry understands that the most fundamental principle of business is that to be successful, we must be responsive to our customers’ requests. We need to guarantee Japan, Korea and other export customers a U.S. born, raised and slaughtered product."

Fox mentions another quote by NCBA President, Eric Davis, "Davis said that ‘mandating an American label seems very un-American to me.’ I couldn’t disagree more," said Fox. "In fact, I consider the tactics of the organizations like NCBA, who are working to defeat COOL, un-American. COOL was passed in America’s open, democratic process."

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605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

SDSGA Chief Brand Inspector Jim Reed, Belle Fourche, S.D., explained to the group that the SDSGA employs brand inspectors, who determine ownership on cattle and horses at the time of a sale or when the livestock leaves the ownership inspection area. "People are often confused about the differences between inspectors and investigators. Our inspectors work at salebarns and out in the country, looking at cattle and horses. Any time a producer sells cattle or horses, or moves them outside of the inspection area, the livestock must be inspected for ownership."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 21, 2004

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association invites everyone to the Black Hills Stock Show in Rapid City, S.D., Monday, February 2, 2004 to hear ag columnist Alan Guebert and South Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Sam Holland free of charge. Guebert’s column appears weekly in the Western Livestock Reporter and the Tri-State Livestock News, among numerous other ag publications.

Guebert’s presentation will begin at 6:00 pm in the Civic Center Theater, Rapid City, S.D. Topics of discussion will include Country of Origin Labeling and other livestock marketing issues.

Following Guebert, Dr. Holland will discuss the latest news surrounding BSE as well as other animal health issues.

Both speakers will be open to questions.

Following the speakers, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association invites everyone to the Stockmen’s Lounge for a cash bar as well as hors d’ oeuvres sponsored by Ft. Dodge Animal Health.

Additional sponsors for the evening speakers include Cammack Ranch Supply, Union Center, S.D.; Chad & Rhonda Hammerstrom, Hammerstrom Fencing and Stockade Livestock Feed Supplements, Sturgis, S.D.; Faith Livestock Commission, Faith, S.D.; First Western Bank, Sturgis, S.D.; RBC Dain Rauscher, Rapid City, S.D.; plus the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation who provided the use of the Civic Center Theater.