News Releases 2005

 

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December 12, 2005

For more information contact Carrie Stadheim at:

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

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

 

SD Stockgrowers Clarify Affect of Japanese Border Opening

 

Members of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) are encouraged by Japan ’s announcement that the country will likely accept U.S. beef in the next seven to 10 days, dependent upon certification of U.S. processing plants by Japanese officials. But SDSGA President Rick Fox, Hermosa , S.D. reminds producers and consumers to keep the situation in perspective with related industry events.

 

“While I appreciate the reopening of the Japanese border, I have my reservations about whether this will actually improve the market for U.S. producers. We experienced the highest prices in history the past two years, with virtually no export market. To me, this indicates that there had been no “trickle down” of profits with previous Japanese exports.” Fox says he believes the packers and processors profit from beef sales to Japan , but questions whether or not the additional dollars are shared with U.S. producers who supply the high quality beef demanded by Japanese consumers.

 

“It’s pretty simple, really - through international trade agreements, the packers and processors are able to source much cheaper cattle and beef from other countries, sell it with a USDA grade stamp to U.S. consumers for huge mark-ups. Then, they use the highest quality beef, born and raised right here in the USA , and send it to Japan for huge markups yet again. The problem is that we as producers don’t get to share in the profit margins.”

 

Fox also encourages USDA to work as diligently on issues that will benefit U.S. cattle producers as they have on the reopening of the Japanese border. “I appreciate USDA’s persistence and dedication to the Japanese beef market, now it’s time for them to use that same creative and devoted work ethic to create profit opportunities for U.S. cattle producers. We don’t even have Country of Origin Labeling yet for American consumers, but USDA is providing it for Japanese consumers.”

 

Fox says USDA needs to write fair trade rules between the U.S. and all trading partners, including Canada and Japan . “USDA already opened the Canadian border to beef and cattle under 30 months of age, and is working at loosening those restrictions to allow any age of cattle from Canada . Their proposed rule for Japanese beef looks very similar – even though Japan will only take U.S. beef  from cattle 20 months of age or younger, USDA proposes that the U.S. take Japanese beef from cattle of any age. It makes no sense. In every situation, the U.S. producer’s opportunities and animal health are compromised.

 

“In addition, the USDA wants to require an expensive and burdensome mandatory animal identification program, to track foreign animal disease. If they would prevent the entrance of such diseases by protecting our borders, our cattle herds would enjoy far greater safety than any type of identification system can offer.”

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2005

For more information contact Carrie Stadheim at
605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

SD Stockgrowers Participate in Cattlemen’s Day, Encourage Check Off Reform

Rapid City ~ The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) took part in industry meetings and discussions during Cattlemen’s Day in Billing, Mont., November 11-12, 2005, sponsored by the Montana Cattlemen’s Association and R-CALF USA.

 

SDSGA Past President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., spoke, along with other panelists regarding the current beef check-off, and the changes supported by SDSGA members.

 

“The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association would like to see a vote of the producers every five years. This ensures that the program is governed by those who pay – the producers,” said Knuppe.

 

According to Knuppe, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association policy simply states that the members do not support the checkoff program in its current form, and that a vote should be held every five years. “There are changes that need to be made, and our members recognize that,” said Knuppe. “I’m not opposed to promoting beef and I’m certainly not opposed to fundraising in order to better our cause. What I do have a problem with is the current system, which promotes foreign beef as though it were equal to USA raised beef. As a U.S. cattle producer, I would be insane to voluntarily contribute to a promotional program that helps my competitor. Yet with the checkoff, I am being forced to do just that.”

“Personally, I hope to see the checkoff be held accountable to producers, I’d like to see the checkoff promote USA beef instead of advertising for our competitors in foreign countries and I’d like to see checkoff funds being used for research that benefits U.S. cattle producers, as well as for lobbying efforts,” said Knuppe. “Times have changed, but the checkoff hasn’t. When the checkoff was implemented 20 some years ago, the United States imported far less beef and cattle than we do today. Yet, the checkoff continues to promote beef in a generic way, just as though all the beef in the U.S. is of U.S. origin, and that’s simply not the case. The U.S. cattle industry is involved in a global marketplace, and in order to be successful, we must differentiate and promote our superior product. We’ll never have the cheapest product, but we’ve got the highest quality product in the world. We just need a program to promote it. The checkoff doesn’t do that right now, but with a few improvements, it could.”

 

Knuppe says that representatives from Montana , Colorado , Washington and Nebraska , who joined him on the panel discussion regarding the checkoff, all agreed that change is needed. “We were in agreement that the checkoff is not serving U.S. cattle producers like it was set up to do. We just want to be sure that we’re getting the best bang for our buck, which is good business.”

 

SDSGA District 7 Director Mike Maher, Isabel , S.D. , also participated in Cattlemen’s Day, attending a meeting of the Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP). Maher represents SDSGA on the CCMP Council, which directs the use and promotion of the USA Raised Beef logo, along with other projects to improve competition in the U.S. cattle industry. CCMP donations are used strictly for the betterment of U.S. cattle market conditions.

 

According to Maher, the meeting was held to discuss producer communication as well as public promotion of the USA Raised Beef logo. Representatives from the Organization for Competitive Markets, R-CALF, Cattle Producers of Washington, Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska took part in the meeting as well.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2005

For more information contact Carrie Stadheim at:
605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

SD Stockgrowers Disappointed in Backdoor Delay of COOL

Rapid City ~ The members of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) who have long supported mandatory country of origin labeling are troubled by the obscenely underhanded method used by a few Congressional representatives to once again delay implementation of the producer and consumer-supported law for another two years.

“First of all, the purpose of the conference committee on the appropriations bill is to come to terms on a good spending bill that benefits agriculture. Both the House and Senate conferees should sit down, hold a healthy discussion and agree on an appropriations bill,” said SDSGA President Rick Fox, Hermosa, S.D. “Instead, the group held a short meeting where they avoided all ‘controversial’ issues. Then the leadership got together late in the night and decided to include a provision for another delay of mandatory country of origin labeling. The House clearly supports mandatory country of origin labeling, the Senate clearly supports mandatory country of origin labeling. It was shamefully undemocratic for Congressman Bonilla (R-TX) Chairman of the House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee, and a couple of others to slip in another delay, without any discussion or debate of the committee members.”

Fox goes on to talk about the importance of mandatory country of origin labeling and the overwhelming support for the issue. “Over 140 organizations representing millions of people across the country recently sent a letter to the conferees urging them not to disrupt implementation of mandatory country of origin labeling. The support is overwhelming.”

The opponents of mandatory country of origin labeling, the retailers and the packers, complain that it would be a recordkeeping nightmare, says Fox. “It’s ironic to me that the very same entities who are telling USDA that we need a uniform national mandatory animal identification system are worried about a simple country of origin label sticker. It appears that they want to force the producers to fund and maintain an animal id system but they themselves refuse to even label their own products.”

According to Fox, mandatory country of origin labeling could be implemented with very little cost or effort to any entity in the cattle or beef industry. “It’s so simple – keep track of the imported cattle and you will know by default which is USA raised, and which is raised in other countries. The beef that enters the U.S. is already required to be marked with a country of origin label because of import regulations, so the retailers simply need to keep the mark on the meat package.”

Fox says the reasons packers and retailers oppose mandatory country of origin labeling is simple: they don’t want to admit to consumers that they may be selling beef originating from as many as 30 countries outside of the U.S.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2005

For more information contact Carrie Stadheim at:
605-342-0429 or carrie.sdsga@midconetwork.com

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

SD Stockgrowers Show Prairie Dog Devastation to USDA Undersecretary

A director and a committee chairman of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) joined several other cattle producers to lead Dave Tenny, USDA Undersecretary on a tour of Conata Basin to highlight the damage caused by the overpopulation of prairie dogs.

SDSGA District 3 Director Marvin Jobgen, Scenic, S.D., and SDSGA Federal Lands Committee Chairman Mark Tubbs , Edgemont, S.D., met with Tenny Tuesday evening, October 25, 2005 and discussed the problems caused by prairie dogs to both federal land and adjacent private property.

“We talked about the need for control on the boundaries of the federal land, to slow the spread of prairie dogs from federal to private land. We also explained that the interior of some of the prairie dog towns on the National Grasslands are absolutely void of vegetation. Control needs to be done on the interior of the towns, especially in Conata Basin to try and restore some grass cover and root base,” said Jobgen.

“Anybody with any understanding of range management knows that any particular acreage can only sustain a certain amount of grazing, whether it is inhabited by wildlife, livestock or prairie dogs. To leave prairie dogs totally uncontrolled, so that they double and triple in numbers every year, without providing them additional forage will obviously force them to spread out and inhabit neighboring property,” Tubbs added. “As a rancher, I have to keep a close eye on my forage, and match the available acreage to the number of cattle it can handle. This isn’t happening on federal lands. Prairie dog numbers keep increasing exponentially, and they have overgrazed parts of the National Grasslands so bad that there isn’t even any cactus left. It is just dirt.”

Wednesday morning, October 26, 2005, Jobgen led the group on a tour of Conata Basin , to demonstrate to Tenny the effect that prairie dogs have had on the fragile grassland. Jobgen said the tour gave Tenny a first hand look at the destruction that unmanaged prairie dogs cause. “We showed him some areas in the Basin that are capable of growing good grass, but instead the topsoil is drifting and even weeds and cactus are scarce because the prairie dogs have killed out all grass.”

Both Jobgen and Tubbs urged Tenny to get involved in the situation, to help facilitate land management practices that will return the land to a more stable, balanced state that will support both wildlife and livestock.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 12, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Stadheim at:

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

www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

 

SD Stockgrowers Testify on USDA Animal ID Plan

 

South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) District 8 Director Bill Kluck, Mud Butte, S.D., testified today, Wednesday, October 12, 2005, in Kansas City , Missouri , in regard to USDA’s animal identification proposal.

 

“Ranchers across South Dakota are concerned by the USDA’s desire to implement a national identification program without support from producers and without proof that such a program is necessary or even possible. South Dakota ’s brand inspection program has a proven history of animal tracking through the use of the hot iron brand. Producers in South Dakota find brand inspection to be a necessary tool in carrying out business, and through legislation ranchers have achieved a uniform standard for ownership verification across the brand area. While applying brands to livestock is not required, the brand inspection procedure is mandatory. This allows producers to maintain freedom of choice in whether or not to brand their cattle, and still provides accurate and accessible records of livestock movement,” testified Kluck.

 

Kluck urged USDA APHIS’s Neil Hammerschmidt, U.S. Animal Identification Plan coordinator, that if the system “isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” He said South Dakota ’s brand program provides traceback capabilities at a minimal cost. Because the system is in place and working effectively, no additional costs would be required of producers.

 

SDSGA is frustrated with USDA for apparently lowering their animal health protection standards by allowing diseased animals to enter the United States , which in the past had been prohibited, said Kluck. “Unfortunately, it seems now the emphasis has changed from disease prevention to disease management. By going this route, one can only assume that with an ID system in place the next step is to allow our high animal health standards to be lowered for the importation of live cattle and beef from countries with health problems including BSE. The industry adamantly opposes importation of infected or potentially infected cattle, regardless of the claimed traceback abilities of a national identification system,” he said.

 

Kluck’s comments on behalf of SDSGA will be submitted in written form to USDA APHIS.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

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

            www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

 

 

SD Stockgrowers Host SDSU President, Dean for USA Beef Luncheon

Groups agree on check off and other issues

 

The office of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association may have never before been a meeting place for the president of South Dakota ’s land grand university and grassroots producers, but last Tuesday it was.

 

On September 20, 2005, SDSGA President Rick Fox , Hermosa, S.D., and immediate past president Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., hosted South Dakota State University President Peggy Miller; her husband Bob Miller; SDSU Dean of the College of Ag and Bio, Gary Lemme; President of the SDSU Alumni Foundation Terry Nelson and SDSU graduate student Cheryl Chapman for a lunch of USA raised beef in the Stockgrowers’ office.

 

According to Fox, the group discussed cattle issues affecting the state, including wildlife and range management, the National Beef Check off and animal id.

 

“I genuinely enjoyed meeting with SDSU’s leaders, and talking in depth about some of the issues we both face. We agreed on nearly everything we talked about, which was really encouraging,” Fox said.

 

According to Fox, the two groups talked about the National Beef Check off, and agreed that funds should remain in the state in order to benefit South Dakotans .  “We talked about our frustration with the huge amounts of check off dollars that are collected in state, but then sent on to NCBA each year. President Miller and Dean Lemme agreed with us.”

 

Fox said the groups also discussed the pros and cons of the proposed animal identification program. “When we explained that any suggested benefits to such a program do not appear to be able to cover the costs to the producer, they were very interested in our opinions. President Miller immediately understood what we meant, and added that it is a poor business decision on the part of the cattle industry to burden ourselves with a program that isn’t cost effective. We wholeheartedly agreed.”

 

“We were proud to serve beef that was verified born, raised and processed in the USA , and reminded the folks from SDSU that it was done without a national id system,” said Fox. “They were interested in the traceback capabilities of the brand inspection program and other programs already in place.”

 

Fox said that the Stockgrowers and SDSU Administrators hope to continue communication and to work together on issues that will better the cattle industry.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

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

            www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

 

 

SD Stockgrowers Host Large Numbers, Good Speakers for ’05 Convention

Awards given, new president chosen, new policy set

 

The 2005 South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Convention impressed newcomers and oldtimers, and offered a little something for everyone.

 

During their membership meeting on Saturday, September 17^th, SDSGA members elected Rick Fox , Hermosa as their new president, and chose Buffalo , S.D. , rancher Larry Nelson as vice president. Randy Schroth, Buffalo Gap, S.D., and Linda Gilbert , Buffalo , S.D. , were selected as new directors.

 

New policy was approved, including a resolution calling for a referendum on the National Beef Check off. According to SDSGA Executive Director Carrie Longwood Stadheim, Rapid City , S.D. , other new policies direct SDSGA staff and leadership to gain approval of Rozol pocket gopher bait as a state-accepted method of prairie dog control, address Trichomoniasis and to require a hot brand on all imported cattle.

 

Besides the membership meeting, meeting-goers enjoyed a variety of events and presenters.

 

“Each of our speakers addressed a unique topic, and every one of them was unusually well-received by the audience,” said Stadheim.

 

 “I thoroughly enjoyed the evening with the Club for Boys, the membership meeting, the awards banquet and the golf tournament. But, like usual, my favorite part of the convention was probably visiting with old friends and making new ones,” she said.

 

According to Stadheim, several members commented on the evening spent with the Rapid City Club for Boys. “We spent the afternoon giving them rides with two teams and wagons, playing games with them and showing them some cattle. Then we ate supper together and hosted a fundraising auction that brought in over $7,000 for the Club.”

 

Newly elected SDSGA President Fox, was impressed with the quality of the speakers. “C.J. Hadley, Jim Beers , G.B. Oliver and Qusi Al Haj all connected with our members, and shared meaningful messages that provoked discussion and ideas among listeners. It’s especially beneficial for us when our speakers take the time to get to know our members on an individual basis, and they all did so willingly.”

 

Stockgrower members Marvin Jobgen , Scenic; Mark Tubbs , Edgemont and Randy Schroth hosted C.J Hadley, Range magazine editor, on visits to Conata Basin and the Southern Hills. They appreciated the chance to show Hadley their home territories, and the feeling was mutual.

 

“The tours were excellent. Western South Dakota is beautiful,” Hadley said. She complimented the Stockgrowers on the information she obtained through the tour guides, and told of the fun they had.

 

The final evening of the convention, SDSGA Chief Brand Inspector Jim Reed , Belle Fourche , S.D. , presented personalized belt buckles to brand inspectors Paul Thomas, Wanblee , S.D. , and Denver Enright, Timber Lake , S.D. , for their years of service to the brand inspection program, and the cattle industry in general. Richard Reuer, Reliance and Herb Kolb, Bison were unable to be there to accept their awards.

 

Outgoing president Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap., S.D., was honored with a slide presentation, a handmade bit and spurs set engraved with his term of service and a standing ovation from the audience to say “thank you” for two years of unselfish dedication to the cattle industry.

 

Fox expects next year’s convention in Spearfish, S.D., will be as enjoyable. “It’s always a little bit of a challenge to put together another worthwhile convention, but we plan to do it again next year!”

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 22, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

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

            www.southdakotastockgrowers.org

 

 

SD Stockgrowers Raise over $7,000 for Club for Boys

 

An evening playing and eating with Rapid City ’s youth was a highlight of the just-finished 2005 South Dakota Stockgrowers Association convention.

Two teams of horses pulled wagon loads of boys throughout the afternoon of September 16, 2005, while members of the Stockgrowers played foosball, carpet ball and pool inside the Club. Later, the group auctioned a donated calf, raising over $7,000 to support the education efforts of the Club, and then heard renowned property rights advocate and editor of Range magazine, C.J. Hadley, Sparks, NV speak.

“The boys were excited to see cowboys and horses, and I think our members were just as excited about getting to know the boys,” said SDSGA President Rick Fox, Hermosa , S.D.   “The Stockgrowers are happy to continue giving to the Club, just as we have since the 1960’s.”

According to SDSGA Past President Bob Johnson, Porcupine, S.D., the Stockgrowers raised over $40,000 for the Club 40 years ago, and have donated interest from the trust fund ever since, with contributions totaling nearly $80,000 to date. Johnson has served on the Boys Club Committee for several years, and he, along with his wife Bette, happily donated the calf for a “rollover” auction on Friday. Each “buyer” of the calf immediately donated the calf back, until everyone had had a chance to contribute. Johnsons then donated the value of the calf, which will be sold at an auction market this fall.

“We’re proud to report that 31 people donated that night, almost all of them members of the South Dakota Stockgrowers,” said Johnson. In addition to the calf, two coffee table books and a Buckaroo Calendar of C.J. Hadley’s were auctioned.

Johnson said the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association teamed up with the Club for Boys to provide a dinner of USA prime rib for all of the boys, staff and volunteers that evening. “We provided the beef, and they took care of the rest of the meal. It worked out great. Several of the boys headed back to the serving line for seconds and thirds, and were thrilled with how tasty the meat was.”

Johnson said the Stockgrowers would like to continue working with the Club to provide meaningful education and supervision for Rapid City ’s youth.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 24, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

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

 

Stockgrowers to Spend Convention Evening with Rapid City Club for Boys

Boys will get wagon rides, Stockgrowers will get to know local youth

 

For decades, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association has proudly supported the Rapid City Club for Boys through a trust fund established with donations from members and local businesses. This year, the Rapid City Club for Boys wanted to say “Thank You” to the members of South Dakota Stockgrowers Association by hosting a meal on September 16, 2005, the first evening of the Annual Convention.

 

Likewise, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association enthusiastically supports the community youth center, and looks forward to an evening of fun and fellowship.

 

“We are excited to spend some time with the kids at the Club for Boys. We’ve lined up a team and wagon to give them rides in the afternoon, and will provide verified USA prime rib for all of the boys who want to join us that evening. We think it will be a fun time for all of us,” says South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Past President Bob Johnson , Porcupine, S.D. Following the prime rib dinner, CJ Hadley, editor, Range Magazine will speak to Stockgrowers and the boys.

 

For several years, Johnson has served on the Board of Directors to oversee the Stockgrowers trust fund for the Club for Boys. Dick Taylor, Rapid City , S.D. , has served as Chairman of the Board for over 25 years. “It has always been an honor for me to be a part of such an important community service, and I hope that the Club for Boys will continue to be friends with the Stockgrowers for years to come,” said Taylor .

 

According to Johnson and Taylor, the original trust fund was set up through calf donations, and auctions where ranchers and businesses could “purchase” the calf, then donate it back to be sold again. “We held the sales right in front of the Hotel Alex Johnson. One year a calf got loose and jumped through a plate glass window into the lobby of the hotel,” said Johnson. “The Stockgrowers wanted to be a part of helping influence youth in a positive way. The attitude of today’s Stockgrower members is no different.”

 

Johnson says that the Stockgrowers plan to hold another fundraising event following Hadley’s speech Friday night.

Dave Oyler, Director, Rapid City Club for Boys anticipates an evening filled with excitement for the boys. “I look for the Stockgrowers night to be one of the highlights of the fall, as many of our boys have likely never even petted a horse, not to mention ridden in a horse-drawn wagon. We will enjoy the time spent with these ranchers who have a genuine interest in the well-being of today’s youth.”

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 23, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

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

 

Range Magazine Editor to Entertain and Educate Stockgrowers

CJ Hadley will speak on property rights, natural resource use

 

The Stockgrowers are proud to introduce a highlight of their 2005 convention; a respected writer and authority on property rights, as well as a multitude of land use issues.

 

CJ Hadley, editor of Range magazine will address the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association the evening of September 16^th at the Rapid City Club for Boys. “CJ is one of today’s most influential advocates for property rights,” said South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D. “She’s a feisty gal who will really amaze folks with her genuine commitment to preserving the American West. Her life is dedicated to keeping independent producers profitable while maintaining the ranching way of life. She recognizes the real value of keeping generations on the land, and has made it her life’s work to ensure that that happens.”

 

Knuppe says that the Stockgrowers have gotten to know Hadley on more than one occasion and have truly enjoyed her speaking to a group, as well as chatting one-on-one.  “She’s not only a fun person to visit with; she’s a powerful and moving speaker. Probably because you can see the fire in her eyes and feel the strength in her voice.”

 

According to Knuppe, everyone is welcome to attend all events during the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Annual Convention, September 16-18^th. “If you’d like to hear CJ speak, or attend any other parts of our convention, just contact us at 605-342-0429. Or you can even stop in the day of the event and we’ll fix you up with a ticket.” Knuppe says that membership in the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is not required to participate in the convention.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 3, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

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

 

SD Stockgrowers Announce R-CALF Benefit, Bullard to Speak

Mike Maher to donate a yearling at Faith Livestock Commission Company

 

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA), along with Scott and Gary Vance, Faith Livestock Commission Company, invites everyone to attend the special yearling sale at the auction barn on August 22, 2005 in Faith, S.D. Those who attend can participate in an R-CALF fundraiser and hear R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard speak immediately following the sale.

 

SDSGA District 7 Director, Mike Maher , Isabel , S.D. , will donate a yearling for a rollover auction with proceeds to benefit R-CALF and SDSGA. Maher donated the very first calf to benefit R-CALF in the fall of 2002, kicking off a phenomenal chain of donations, generating more than $1 million for R-CALF as of July, 2005.

 

“We’re looking forward to another chance to hear Bill Bullard speak, and to raise additional funds for R-CALF,” said Scott Vance, owner, Faith Livestock Commission Company.  “Since its inception, R-CALF has worked to improve cattle prices for U.S. cattle producers, and the overwhelming support of ranchers in this area has been a sure sign that R-CALF is doing the right thing. We hope everyone will take the time to join us for the evening’s events.”

 

Maher looks forward to a chance to listen to Bullard, and to do his part to keep R-CALF going strong. “It’s important to me that I contribute to R-CALF, and try to give back what it’s given me. Without R-CALF and SDSGA I’d hate to think what kind of shape this industry would be in. As ranchers, we need organizations like R-CALF and SDSGA that look out for our unique interests, because often times what’s good for the ‘beef’ industry isn’t necessarily good for the U.S. cattle industry.”

 

Maher says R-CALF is the only national cattle organization devoted to improving domestic cattle prices. “In the end, what is important is that we maintain a healthy, viable cattle industry in the United States . It’s not only important for our family structures and our culture, but also for the economic stability of this nation. And the ability of this country to feed our own is an absolute must.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 28, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

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

 

SD Stockgrowers Appreciate Herseth “No” vote on CAFTA

SDSGA is disappointed in overall outcome, but encouraged by strength of opposition

 

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) hopes to impact future trade discussions to provide for fair, rather than free trade pacts. After the extremely thin margins that allowed CAFTA to pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives, the SDSGA is optimistic that the NAFTA model of trade will never be supported in Congress again.

 

“We’re severely disappointed with the passage of CAFTA through the House of Representatives last night, but there’s a silver lining to every cloud,” says SDSGA President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D. “ South Dakota ’s Congresswoman Herseth has worked tirelessly to educate her fellow Congressmen about CAFTA’s pitfalls, and for that the cattle industry is grateful. Additionally, the entire body of the House of Representatives showed severe apprehension for the agreement with their 217-215 vote last night. I don’t think either the House or Senate has ever been so close to voting a free trade agreement down.”

 

Knuppe says the significance of the narrow margin on yesterday’s vote should not be overlooked. “Often, the House majority tends to take the administration’s lead on trade issues, but the vote on CAFTA sent a clear message that they are not blind followers. This is good news for Americans.” Knuppe goes on to say that voters from other states who are dissatisfied with the votes their representatives cast should not only express their disappointment, but also keep those issues in mind during the next election.

 

“There is a remedy to the flawed mentality some congressional delegates seem to possess - that big business deserves preference over America ’s consumers and producers. We simply need to vote in the right people for the job - the congressional candidates who listen to their constituents, instead of the executive branch of government. The administration twisted a lot of arms to achieve enough votes to pass CAFTA. It is the responsibility of Congress to represent us, the people, not the executive branch of government.”

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 15, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

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

 

SD Stockgrowers Severely Disappointed in Border Ruling

Disagree with USDA Secretary

 

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is frustrated about yesterday’s decision by the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the temporary injunction against live cattle from Canada .

 

“It’s disheartening to think that packer profits have taken priority over animal health and consumer safety,” said South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice President Rick Fox, Hermosa , S.D.

 

Fox said that even more upsetting than the case’s outcome was the statement issued by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, immediately following the announcement of the ruling.

 

In a USDA news release regarding the ruling, Secretary Johanns said, “This is great news for the future of the U.S. beef industry, specifically the many ranchers, feeders, and processing plants that have been struggling to make ends meet due to the closed border.”

 

“Secretary Johanns called yesterday’s ruling good news for ranchers. He certainly isn’t referring to me,” Fox said. “It’s terrible news that my cattle herd will now be exposed to cattle from a country that has produced at least four BSE cows.”

 

Fox said he doesn’t know what “struggling” ranchers Secretary Johanns is referring to. “I’ve enjoyed fair profits for the last two years, something that hasn’t happened for quite some time,” said Fox. “With the reopening of the border, it’s tough to say how the market will react, but obviously an influx of cattle isn’t good news to U.S. producers. Plus, most of our export markets remain closed, so the U.S. market will be forced to absorb that supply increase.” Fox said he expects export customers such as Japan and Korea to be even more concerned about the safety of U.S. beef now that Canadian cattle will be crossing the border freely.

 

Fox points out discrepancies in two of Secretary Johanns’ recent statements. “Earlier this month, at a meeting in Minnesota , Secretary Johanns announced that beef prices had risen too high, and that it had become necessary to open the border to deflate the price of beef. Now he says that ranchers have been struggling to make ends meet with the Canadian border closed to live cattle, indicating that cattle prices were at a low. That just doesn’t jive.”

 

“Apparently he’s not hearing the whole story. I hope he will make the effort to reach out to some independent ranchers who live with the realities of the cattle industry.” Fox encourages Secretary Johanns to visit with ranchers from South Dakota , or his home state of Nebraska , to hear the truth about the cattle market.

 

According to Fox, the hearing for the permanent injunction, brought forth by R-CALF USA , the nation’s only organization representing strictly cattle ranchers, will begin on July 27, 2005. “We anticipate a favorable ruling on the permanent injunction,” Fox said. “I hope sound science will take precedence over political science this time.”  

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2005

 

For more information contact Carrie Longwood at:

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

 

SD Stockgrowers Thank SD Senators for “No” Vote on CAFTA

Overall outcome disappointing, however

 

Although the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is concerned by the passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) through the U.S. Senate yesterday, they applaud South Dakota Senators Johnson and Thune for representing South Dakota well with votes against the destructive trade agreement.

 

“South Dakotans should be proud of the bipartisan effort of our Senators to defeat a trade deal that is destined to undercut South Dakota’s largest industry: agriculture,” said South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Marketing Committee Chairman and District 12 Director Bob Fortune, Belvidere, S.D.

 

Although South Dakota ’s Senators voted against it, CAFTA advanced in a 54-45 vote of approval by the Senate. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the deal in the next few weeks.

 

Fortune said CAFTA is predicted to increase imports of cheap beef as well as ethanol. “The tariff concessions our U.S. trade representative provided on beef products will allow multinational corporations to import beef from Central American countries for pennies on the dollar. And without mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, the beef products from those countries will be labeled with just a USDA stamp of approval, with no indication to the consumer that they are of foreign origin.”

 

Trade between the United States and Central American countries is unbalanced, says Fortune, because labor laws, environmental regulations and even tax requirements differ so greatly. “They don’t have to adhere to the same production standards we do, and as a result they can sell cattle way below our cost of production. They might use fertilizers, pesticides and other chemicals that are outlawed in this country, to lower their cost of production. Not only does this put American producers at a competitive disadvantage, it eliminates the ability of our government inspectors to guarantee that the imported product is safe and wholesome for American producers.”