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1. BEEF INDUSTRY REFORM (‘96)

WHEREAS: Perpetual problems facing the beef cattle industry need to be addressed to keep a viable trade balance inside and outside our United States borders.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association recommend the following changes:

1. Make enforceable provisions per hundred weight quotes for live cattle and per pound quotes for beef entering this country to determine dollar values. Pricing will be reported to the National Agricultural Statistics Service upon entry.

2. Source identification will be required of all imported beef and live cattle.

3. In keeping with the spirit of "Free Trade", with all economic costs being equal,

1. Canadian feeder cattle entering this nation shall be assessed a fee equaling health requirement cost of United States feeders going north.

2. Cattle moving both directions shall be subject to the same health requirements. These same regulations would apply to slaughter and breeding cattle with equal economic charges applied.

3. The "USDA Grade Stamp" will only be used on United States raised, fed and processed cattle and no longer will Canadian, Mexican, or other origin, (live or carcass) imports be allowed to receive an "USDA Quality Grade". Criminal and civil penalties would apply under United States trademark and Copyright laws for the protection of the United States consumer against false advertising and labeling practices.

4. We also request immediate pre-empowered actions by the USDA and Packers and Stockyards Administration to halt packer concentration and captive supplies. We call for a review of all acts and orders pertaining to anti-trust legislation.

5. We ask and encourage immediate legislation to freeze the acquisition of additional slaughter facilities by the "Big Three" d.b.a.: "IBP", "ConAgra" and "Cargill", pending review of United States laws.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: Upon passage of any or all of the aforementioned parts let it be known that the western state’s stockgrowers enter into this "Contract of Action" to be presented and signed by their Leadership, Governors, Senators, Congressmen, Congresswomen and individual producers and to push for the immediate resolution of these issues.

2. CATTLE PRICING STRUCTURE (‘96)

WHEREAS: Recent increases in the amount of fed cattle sold on a captive supply basis have effectively given packers known live inventories to meet their slaughter needs for given time periods; and

WHEREAS: Packers who hold a substantial amount of their live inventories for a given time frame through captive supplies have a psychological advantage in the bargaining arena, therefore providing a downward bias in price; and

WHEREAS: Depressed fed cattle prices and negative feeding margins will ultimately be passed on to the cow calf sector in the form of lower prices paid for feeder cattle and calves, therefore bringing into question the financial viability of many ranchers; and

WHEREAS: For the beef industry to profitably advance into the future, a price discovery system must be developed that rewards above average quality cattle with premium prices and discounts undesirable types to the point that their production is discouraged; and
WHEREAS: Price discovery may be impeded by any type of non-negotiated selling, including basis contracting, grade and yield selling, current "formula" marketing agreements and any other arrangements or any other arrangement in which price is not competitively negotiated.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Complete reporting of non reported cattle prices be required to facilitate true price discovery.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The futures markets on cattle and feeders must have major revisions for the number of contract held by individuals (and groups representing individual interests) and a change of futures trading to remove the downward bias of short selling.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association strongly support the resolution on packer concentration in the livestock industry as proposed by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture in their 1995 meetings.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture urge the Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission, or an independently appointed council conduct an in-depth investigation of the livestock industry in the United States to ensure that agriculture producers are free of unfair or monopolistic practices. The investigation must look at all separate aspects of the market simultaneously in order to get a true picture of the transactions regarding the livestock and meat industry.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The livestock industry is of the utmost importance to agriculture. Primary emphasis should be placed on the 1995 Farm Bill to identify and resolve problems facing the livestock producers and businesses that depend on the well being of the producer. The financial and physical well being of the United States is at stake.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: As a possible alternative to current "formula" marketing agreements the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association support further study of a negotiated "grid" pricing structure, with the base price and spreads determined by competitive bidding between buying interests no more than seven days prior to shipment.

BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is opposed to any increase in contract limits.

WHEREAS: South Dakota inspected meat equals or exceeds federal inspection standards; and

WHEREAS: Present laws restrict sales of interstate beef products.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association recommends these laws be amended and/or changed to allow for free movement of state inspected beef products across state lines.

WHEREAS: The meat inspection program has great disparities between red meat and poultry; and

WHEREAS: This disparity results in an annual loss of three billion dollars to the red meat industry.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association demand the poultry industry be required to meet the same standards as the red meat industry standards for processing, inspection, alteration, labeling packaging.

6. MEAT INSPECTION (‘94)

WHEREAS: There is a concern among consumers about food safety; and

WHEREAS: The Beef Industry is committed to supplying a safe, healthy, nutrition food product; and
WHEREAS: Studies by Colorado State University shows high-pressure hot-water washing of beef carcasses, followed by a bactericide rinse effectively removes physical contamination; and

WHEREAS: 1906 regulations still dominate meat inspection and new technology is now available.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports sound science technology to modernize meat inspection and preservation through procedures such as washing carcasses and irradiation of beef products at such time as procedures have proven scientifically sound.

7. MARKET DEFAULT

WHEREAS: Livestock Markets, Order Buyers, and Livestock Dealers financial failures have a very adverse effect on livestock producers and local communities; and

WHEREAS: Most problems stem from violations of custodial accounts and improper business practices.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association support substantial penalties for custodial account violations.

WHEREAS: The livestock industry is of primary importance to the economy of all South Dakota and an indispensable source of food for the people of our state and nation; and

WHEREAS: The Meat Group of the basic food groups provides more nutrients per calorie than any other food groups; and

WHEREAS: The United States Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, and other federal agencies continue to move toward issuance of dietary guidelines which indirectly, if not directly, discourage the consumption of animal products, including beef.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association request the Governor to cooperate with the governors of other states represented on the Western Governors’ Conference in demanding that the federal government disseminate only nutrition information based on scientifically-proven facts, and that the United States Department of Agriculture abandon any plan to develop a national agriculture policy based on a national food policy.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association request the members of the South Dakota Congressional Delegation, immediately take all possible steps to ensure that federal monies spent on nutrition research and information as allocated so that all sides of any issue are properly investigated and publicized.

9. PACKER INTEGRATION

WHEREAS: The Packers and Stockyards Act does not prohibit a packer from owning or feeding cattle.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association seeks regulations so packers can not hedge or forward contract cattle or own cattle more than seven working days.

10. PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ACT (‘96) (Revised ‘01)

WHEREAS: S.1758 and H.R.3424 establish livestock dealer trust, require inclusion of formula priced cattle, the reporting of imports and exports and will determine anti-competitive practices.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association support the changes proposed to the 1921 Packers and Stockyard Act.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports amendments that will protect producers as well as consumers.

11. RESTRICTING CAPITAL LOSSES

WHEREAS: The IRS is trying to limit legitimate hedging of commodities to a $3,000 capitol loss rather than ordinary profit and loss.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association oppose any change by IRS on any legitimate hedge on the futures and options as ordinary income or loss rather than capital losses over $3,000.

12. USDA MARKET NEWS

WHEREAS: The price discovery process for cattlemen in all sectors of the industry is becoming increasingly difficult to determine; and

WHEREAS: Marketing is playing a more significant role in the variability in profits from the various cattle enterprises; and

WHEREAS: The increased importance that all phases of the cattle industry have equal access to market information to insure all are on an equal bargaining basis.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports the USDA Federal-State Market News Program and the South Dakota Direct Feedlot Report.

13. COMPETITIVE MARKETING (‘95) (Revised ‘03)

WHEREAS: The South Dakota cattle producers produce 4% of the nation’s calf supply and the cattle industry is the single largest economic factor in South Dakota; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports all marketing systems that promote and encourage open and fair competition.

14. PACKER OWNERSHIP OF LIVESTOCK (‘99)

WHEREAS: Eighty percent (80%) of United States livestock slaughter is done by three (3) packers; and

WHEREAS: Packers are the only source for selling and slaughtering of fed cattle, and livestock market is determined by the packer demand; and

WHEREAS: The rancher’s economic future depends on the price of fed cattle.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association opposes ownership of cattle by packers before cattle are ready for slaughter.

15. CATTLE CHAPTER (‘01)

WHEREAS: The United States Department of Agriculture and Federal Government actions directly or indirectly influence the cattle industry.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports the cattle chapter and the competition title as proposed by R-Calf USA.

16. MANDATORY PRICE REPORTING ACT (‘01)

WHEREAS: The SDSGA supports the Mandatory Price Reporting Act; and

WHEREAS: As long as details are not divulged on individual transactions, all prices should be reported in compliance with the act; and

WHEREAS: Any change to MPRA should move it toward real-time reporting of prices similar to the stock market and Boards of Trade.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Confidentiality restrictions inserted by the Office of Management and Budget in the MPRA of 1999 should be removed.

17. BEEF CHECK-OFF VOTE (‘01)

WHEREAS: We live in a Democracy.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The SDSGA supports a vote on the beef check-off program, no less than once every five years.

18. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING (‘01)

WHEREAS: Origin is defined as a country where the product was born, raised and processed.

Therefore Be it Resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports country of origin labeling which would require that cattle be born, fed and processed in the U.S. in order to receive the U.S. grade stamp.

Be it Further Resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association also supports country of origin labeling for all products to the end consumer.

Be it Further Resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association urges the USDA and elected officials to work toward implementing COOL in the most efficient, most accurate, least expensive, and least burdensome way for the benefit of the U.S. producers and consumers. All live cattle imported to USA must be branded and/or ID as to country of origin. As all imports are thus identified, the balance of all cattle slaughtered in the USA will be assumed to be USA product.

19. FAST TRACK TRADE AUTHORITY (TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY) (‘01)

WHEREAS: Past trade agreements have been detrimental to the cattle producers income; and
WHEREAS: Congress can only vote for or against trade agreements, without the power to change the terms within the trade agreement.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association opposes granting Fast Track Trade Authority (also known as Trade Promotion Authority) to the President of the United States of America.

20. Imports/Domestic Food Supply (‘01)

WHEREAS: On September 11, 2001, this nation was attacked by terrorists, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Americans and the destruction of property in untold proportions; and

WHEREAS: America is prepared to engage in a protracted effort to eradicate terrorism on the level of a state of war; and

WHEREAS: This great nation’s strength lies in the character of its people, its ability to unify in times of crises and the richness of its natural resources; and

WHEREAS: One of the greatest threats to America’s security is the safety of its food supply; and

WHEREAS: The United States Congress has the power to immediately close our borders to the importation of food products to ensure Americans of a safe, domestically grown food supply.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association will immediately begin work to direct both Congress and President George W. Bush to concentrate all of their present power and authority toward achieving American independence of other countries, in respect to the supply of all food products, through the reduction or elimination of all food imports including but not limited to meat and live animals.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association will also work to direct both Congress and President Bush to support immediate legislation to direct the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency and the National Park Service to concentrate their present authority toward achieving full and complete access to, and utilization of this nation’s renewable natural resources.

21. Voluntary Live Cattle Check-Off (‘02)

Whereas: The constitutionality of the current mandatory beef check-off is being challenged.

Therefore Be It Resolved: The SDSGA form a committee to study and then propose a nationwide voluntary producer directed check-off for the benefit of the U.S. live cattle industry. The committee shall be comprised of state representatives. Each state with 500,000 or more head of live cattle shall have a representative. States with fewer cattle may combine their numbers and may have a representative for 500,000 or more head of live cattle.

Be It Further Resolved: Proceeds from the said check-off will be utilized for the purposes of:

1. Promoting the U.S. live cattle and the U.S. live cattle industry.

2. Promoting the policy matters set forth by the U.S. live cattle industry.

3. Protecting the U.S. live cattle industry from unfair trade practices, anti-trust violations, violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act, and other rules and laws as they may apply to the industry.

4. Promoting family ranching operations and specifically educating the public as to the environmental practices and ranching activities and the resulting beneficial effects of those practices on wildlife, water, open space, a safe and healthy food supply and the quality of life in rural America.

Be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports the Farm Import Inspection and Funding Security Act of 2002.

23. Full Implementation of Mandatory (‘02)
Country of Origin Labeling

Whereas: Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), defined as born, raised and slaughtered in the U.S.A., has enjoyed strong support from agricultural organizations; and

Whereas: COOL is necessary to offer consumers in America and throughout the world a full choice to purchase the quality and value of American meat, and;

Whereas: USDA, AMI and packer and retailer corporations have exhibited opposition to the authentic definition (born, raised and slaughtered in the USA) that was promoted and passed in the Farm Bill.

Therefore Be It Resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association requests full and immediate implementation and enforcement of COOL (Born, raised and slaughtered in the USA.)

24. Opposition to FTAA (‘02)

Whereas: The Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) is soon to be considered by the U.S. Congress; and

Whereas: The supremacy of the dollar versus the peso and all other currencies is a critical mass for international dumping decisions; and

Whereas: Most of the prospective third world countries implicated by FTAA are in recession, needing to export ag and raw materials and planning to export to U.S. markets; and

Whereas: American laws and inspection standards of domestically produced ag products are an incentive for imports to the U.S. and not exports out of the U.S. of ag an food products to these prospective FTAA trading partners.

Therefore be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association opposes the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) and regards FTAA as an extension of serious harm already wrought by NAFTA on the American agricultural industries, as well as other industries.

25. Withdrawal from WTO (‘02)

Be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports immediate withdrawal by the U.S.A. from the WTO.

26. Captive Supplies (‘02)

Be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association believes that captive supplies of livestock are the largest marketing problem in the livestock industry and should be ended. Captive supplies include packer owned livestock and other sales where the livestock are not negotiated and priced prior to delivery.

27. Senate Market Investigation (‘02)

Be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association calls upon the United States Senate to hold a comprehensive investigation into competition in the wholesale and retail red meat markets. The investigatory body should have subpoena power, possess full funding to hire legal counsel, and pursue any legal action recommended.

28. Concentration in the Meatpacking Industry (‘02)

Whereas: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association believes that competitive problems in the livestock industry are caused, in large part, by the concentration of the large meat packers and retailers.

therefore Be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports a break up of the dominant firms in meat packing and retail food sales to remedy the concentration issue.

29. Farm Bill Conference Committee (‘02)

Be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association hereby expresses its extreme disappointment in the Farm Bill Conference Committee because it did not include the Competition Title in the Farm Bill.

Be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association hereby expresses its strong support of the plaintiffs and attorneys in the Pickett v. IBP class action case, as well as to the plaintiffs and attorneys in the newly filed civil court actions entitled Murdoch v. Excel and Lueking v. ConAgra.

Be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association advocates that the USDA grade stamp should be denied to red meat products that are not born, raised and slaughtered in the United States.

32. Moratorium on Imported Beef and Cattle (‘02)

Be it resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association encourages the United States to impose a two-year moratorium on all imports of beef and cattle due to hazards of Bo-security and food safety.

Whereas: The U.S. Cattle Industry produces a supply sensitive, perishable product; and

Whereas: Increases of supply through imports greatly depress domestic prices.

Therefore Be it Resolved: The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association supports a quota and tariff system that will limit the volume of imports into the U.S.