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July 23, 2010
For
more information contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429
or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
South
Dakota
Stockgrowers Association
Supports USDA/GIPSA
South Dakota Stockgrowers
agree with 64 other organizations, in a sign-on letter to the
U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, that the recently written
rule regarding the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&SA) is
necessary and according to directives in the 2008 Farm Bill.
Tuesday a group of lawmakers
seated on the U.S. House Ag subcommittee proceeded to rebuke
United States Department of Agriculture/ Grain Inspection,
Packers and Stockyards Act (USDA/GIPSA) officials, Administrator
J.
Dudley Butler
and Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Edward
Avalos for what the lawmakers said was outside the authority of
USDA/GIPSA.
The
letter, in part, said “Contrary to statements made during the
hearing, USDA-GIPSA is well within its authority to issue these
regulations. In fact, USDA-GIPSA is primarily responding to the
directive of Congress in Title XI of the 2008 Farm Bill to
promulgate regulations to establish criteria the Agency will use
in determining which poultry and livestock industry practices it
considers to be in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act
of 1921 (P&S Act).
The
P&S Act makes it unlawful for packers, swine contractors,
and live poultry dealers to engage in any “unfair, unjustly
discriminatory, or deceptive practice or device,” or to
“make or give any undue or unreasonable preference or
advantage to any particular person or locality in any respect,
or subject any particular person or locality to any undue or
unreasonable prejudice or disadvantage in any respect.”
Unfortunately, USDA-GIPSA has
never issued the regulations necessary to define these broad
prohibitions in order to adequately enforce the protections for
livestock and poultry producers. As a result, the agency has
been widely criticized by the Government Accountability Office,
USDA’s own Inspector General, and outside stakeholder groups
for its lack of enforcement of the P&S Act.”
On June 18, 2010 new rules
were written which will provide enforcement of the almost 90
year old P&SA for the first time.
South Dakota Stockgrowers
strongly support USDA/GIPSA and the recently proposed rule. For
the first time in history cow/calf producers may be able to
receive their fair share of the cattle market.
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For more information contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429 or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South
Dakota
Stockgrowers
Join 55 in Letter to GIPSA
South Dakota Stockgrowers
Association is part of a group of 56 organizations who recently
sent a letter to J.
Dudley Butler
, Administrator, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Grain
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)
The purpose of the letter is
to urge
Butler
to deny requests to extend a 60 day comment period by 120 days.
The comment period in question has been established for public
comments on a proposed rule which would address unfair and
deceptive practices in the livestock markets.
Stockgrowers’ President
Kenny Fox,
Belvidere
said “The proposed rule would enable enforcement of the
Packers and Stockyards Act which was implemented in 1921 and has
not yet been fully enforced”.
The letter states that the
56 organizations “firmly believe the 60-day public comment
period established in the 17-page Proposed Rule provides ample
time to fully assess and evaluate the succinct provisions
contained therein. We further believe the provisions contained
in the Proposed Rule are tremendously important to the goal of
reestablishing equity between disaggregated
U.S.
livestock and poultry producer and the highly concentrated
meatpacking industries.” The letter further stated “We
respectfully request that GIPSA hold firm its original 60-day
pubic comment period for the Proposed Rule.”
Fox also stated “Any
extension beyond the present August 23, 2010 date would pose one
more hardship for cow/calf producers in that it would virtually
guarantee a decision well past this year’s calf delivery dates
and next year’s yearling delivery dates. One more year
could be the deciding factor for the survival of some
operations.”
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For
more information contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429
or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South
Dakota
Stockgrowers Association Thanks Senator Thune
South Dakota Stockgrowers
Association appreciates Senator Thune’s continued support for
South Dakota
’s farmers and ranchers as he spoke at the Senate Energy
Committee Public Lands & Forests Subcommittee hearing on
June 16th.
Senator Thune spoke in opposition to the
Tony Dean Cheyenne River Valley Conservation Act of 2010, a
proposed wilderness area which would include 48,000 acres of Red
Shirt, Indian Creek and Chalk Hills areas of the Buffalo Gap
National Grasslands in South Western South Dakota.
Senator Thune stated that he
shares the concerns of farmers and ranchers who fear that the
wilderness designation would ultimately impact their operations.
He said “This land has
ample restrictions already in place that have successfully kept
this area in a pristine condition. I would caution this
committee against imposing additional restrictions against the
will of the local stakeholders.”
The Senator introduced Scott
Edoff, a 4th generation rancher who has a grazing
permit in this area and who gave testimony in opposition to the
wilderness designation. He said
“Scott’s testimony
before the committee reflects not only his family’s views, but
also the concerns of 30 government, trade, recreation, tourism,
and agriculture associations that have weighed in against the
proposed wilderness designation in
South Dakota
”
Documents show that
South Dakota
’s Governor Rounds and SD Legislature also oppose the
wilderness designation.
The Stockgrowers thank
Senator Thune for speaking on behalf of
South Dakota
’s ranching community.
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June
21, 2010
Contact:
Silvia Christen, Development Director
605-342-0429
or silvia.sdsga@midconetwork.com
Stockgrowers
Plan Trip to
South America
South
Dakota Stockgrowers Association is taking reservations for an
exciting trip to travel across
Chile
and
Argentina
this fall, from October 12 to October 22. Reservations for
the tour can be made no later than July 15 by calling Leslie at
605-341-0744.
“This
trip was built specifically for us to see what farming and
ranching is really like in another part of the world and it’s
a very unique opportunity,” said Silvia Christen of the SD
Stockgrowers. “We’ll be traveling with other ranchers
from
South Dakota
, and we have a Spanish speaking tour guide to help us get
around the country and the language.”
The
tour starts off in
Santiago
,
Chile
with three days of tours to wineries, cattle feeding operations,
ranches, the shipping docks at the
Port
of
Valparaiso
, and some time to explore the city of
Santiago
. From there, the tour crosses over the
Andes
Mountains
into
Argentina
.
We’ll
spend 4 days enjoying tours of grass fed and conventional beef
operations, local wineries, grain elevators, a farming
operation, and tour the Cactus Feeders feedlot. The tour
ends with a few days around historic
Buenos Aires
,
Argentina
with a Tango dance show, tours of this enormous city, and a trip
to the Liniers Cattle Auction which boasts some of the largest
cattle auctions in the world, 5-days a week.
“The
trip is open to anyone, and there’s only a few weeks left to
make your reservations,” said Christen. “Our travel
agent can make arrangements for anyone from anywhere in the
US
.
For
more information about this trip visit www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
or call Silvia Christen at 605342-049.
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June 21, 2010
605-342-0429
or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South
Dakota
Stockgrowers Association
Thanks Local Rancher
Rancher Scott Edoff, Hermosa
testified before the United States Senate Committee on Energy
and Natural Resources in
Washinton
,
D.C.
June 16, 2010. Scott testified on behalf of several
organizations including South Dakota Stockgrowers in opposition
to the Tony Dean Cheyenne River Valley Conservation Act of 2010,
a proposed Wilderness designation for the Red Shirt, Indian
Creek, and Chalk Hills areas of the Buffalo Gap National
Grasslands.
Edoff is a 4th
generation rancher whose ancestors began ranching in that area
in 1887. He and his family still ranch there and have a grazing
permit on the proposed Indian Creek Wilderness.
Edoff said “I find it
tremendously ironic that multiple use management has been so
successful that Wilderness advocates now believe that Wilderness
designation is necessary to protect these areas from the very
management that has resulted in the current conditions.”
He further stated, “if
these areas are not designated as Wilderness, they will still be
rugged, remote, and inaccessible many years from now.
That’s just the character of the land. I believe in
multiple use management, and in sharing these special places
with other users. A lot of people and groups have an
interest in this Wilderness proposal, but for me and the other
permittees, it’s not just about recreation, it’s about the
future of our family business.
Documents indicate the
proposed Wilderness designation is opposed by Governor Rounds,
County
Commissioners
in four counties, the Black Hills Badlands and Lakes
Association, most of the permittees, the local rockhound
organization, and motorized recreation organizations.
According to Stockgrowers
Executive Director,
Margaret Nachtigall
many of the concerns of ranchers is the fact that too many
wilderness areas are overrun by prairie dogs, Canada Thistle,
and other pests to the extent that grazing has to be reduced due
to lack of forage.
Nachtigall said “out hats
are off to Scott for taking the time and resources to make the
trip to
Washington
,
DC
and for providing such excellent testimony.”
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June 18, 2010
For
more information contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429
or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
South
Dakota Stockgrowers Pleased with USDA’s Proposed Rule
Stockgrowers
were extremely pleased when they saw United States Department of
Agriculture’s proposed rules for the Packers & Stockyards
Act of 1921 (P&SA).
USDA
today released newly written rules and regulations on the
Packers & Stockyards Act as required in the 2008 Farm Bill.
As Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards (GIPSA)
Administrator, J
Dudley Butler
told Stockgrower members at last years convention “The Packers
& Stockyards Act will be enforced”. According to
Stockgrowers’ Vice President,
Shane Kolb
, Meadow, SD “we are now seeing this come to fruition and we
are excited.” He added, “I believe this is just a prelude of
what’s to come.”
The
new rules, which will can be commented on between now and August
23rd, when implemented will go a long way towards
helping producers who are fighting for survival in a market
controlled by meatpackers. The proposed rule will prohibit
packers from unreasonable preferences or advantages for one
producer over another. It also provides that a producer
when challenging unlawful treatment does not have to prove
damage to the industry, as they do now; he/she will only have to
prove injury to his/her own business.
Kolb
also stated: “This is absolutely necessary for the survival of
our
United States
farmers and ranchers and rural
America
as we know it. We needed a provision to allow for
enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act - without it the
large conglomerates will control not only the meat industry, but
the cattle industry as well.”
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June 2, 2010
For
more information contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429
or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
SD
Stockgrowers Invite All Interested to June Meeting
The
South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA) invites local
cattle producers, feeders and anyone interested in rural
economics to join them in
Highmore
,
S.D.
, June 10 2010, for their upcoming Quarterly Meeting. All
meetings will be held at the Grand Lodge in Highmore.
According
to information from the Stockgrowers’ office in Rapid City
committee meetings will be held throughout the day addressing
issues in Trade, Animal Health and ID, Property Rights,
Taxation, Ag & Natural Resources, and others.
Registration
begins at 8:00 a.m. CDT with the Trade Committee leading off at
8:30. Other committee meetings will follow with Linda Gilbert,
Buffalo
winding up the morning session with a Cattlemens’ Beef Board (CBB)
update at 11:30.
Ernie Mertz
, Bowdle will address the noon time crowd with an update on the
Beef CheckOff.
The
afternoon will see more committee meetings with the Brand and
Theft committee leading off at 1:00 p.m. under the direction of
District 14 Director,
Jim Murphy
, Reliance, SD. Other committee meeting in the afternoon
are the Wildlife Committee, Education/Taxation/&Legislation,
Ag and Natural Resources and the Finance Committee.
Joan
Wollschlager, District 17 Director from
Lake
Preston
said emphasized that everyone is welcome to attend all events
– including committee meetings. “We encourage non-members as
well as members to join us – we’d love to meet some local
producers with an interest in the future of our rural economy
and the viability of our industry.
Wollschlager
added “This is truly a grass roots organization, allowing
members and prospective members to ask questions, make comments
and then address those issues in a straightforward manner.
The members I have worked with for the past decade take precious
time from their own ranches and feed yards to help our
cattle industry - the stuff on their boots is for real. I
invite everyone to take the day to join us for some up front
conversation on improving the cattle producer’s chance of
passing that family operation down to another member.”
President
Kenny Fox
stated that SD Stockgrowers wish to thank the Highmore Booster
Club for providing supper at the Hyde
County Memorial Auditorium at 7:00 pm.
Tentatively
a tour of
Watertown
area farms and ranches has been scheduled for Friday, June 11
with a Barbeque to follow for the evening meal. More
information will be available at the Thursday afternoon meeting.
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May 26, 2010
For
More Information Contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429 or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South
Dakota Stockgrowers Support US Secretary of Agriculture Tom
Vilsack
South Dakota Stockgrowers
Association is very appreciative of US Secretary of Agriculture
Tom Vilsack's stand on the National Cattlemen's Beef
Association's (NCBA) Governance Task Force (GTF) recommendation
for the restructuring part of their organization that would
affect the Beef Check Off Program.
According to a letter to
NCBA's president, Steve Foglesong,
Secretary Vilsack states he has," serious concerns
with the approach" of the GTF recommendations. SD
Stockgrowers share those concerns due to the extent of the
control the GTF is apparently recommending over the Federation
of State Beef Councils and the extension of the policy side of
the organization into the checkoff program.
Stockgrowers' Marketing
Chairman Vaughn Meyer, Reva, S.D. stated that "the
reduction of the firewall between the checkoff program and the
policy side of NCBA could sever relations with individual
producers and those in other organizations to the extent that
the program would be inoperative."
Secretary Vilsack warns
that the future existence of the Beef Check Off Program relative
to the proposed GTF recommendations which impact the State Beef
Councils (Federation) must include the following fire walls:
1.
The federation must be an independent organization. This
requirement does not prohibit the federation from contracting
for its administrative or other services with other
organizations. This
requirement is consistent with the structure and administration
of other check off programs where there is a clear distinction
between policy organizations and check off programs.
2.
All funding decisions relating to check off activities
must be made by the Federation and the Cattlemen's Beef Board
and not by policy organizations.
3.
The Federation's members who serve on the Beef Promotion
Operating Committee are to be nominated and elected only by the
Federation.
4.
Federation members must not vote on policy matters, nor
be required to purchase a seat in any policy organization.
5.
Regardless of structure, policy organizations should not
be permitted to influence, determine outcomes, or vote on check
off decisions.
6.
Animal Marketing Service (AMS) has statutory and
regulatory oversight of the Federation and the Board.
7.
Failure to implement all of these firewalls would raise
serious legal concerns as to whether the restructuring complies
with the provisions of the Act and Order.
Secretary Vilsack's stern
warning against GTF reorganization is a positive step for the
preservation of the Beef Promotion Act and Order and our
producer driven check off program.
Secretary Vilsack reiterated similar producer concerns
for further transparency between the
Federation and its
contracting policy organizations.
The Beef Check Off
Program was conceived through a 1984 producer referendum and
became a concept by which beef producers could collectively
promote their products. The
Beef Check Off program is producer funded and driven with over
97% of the producers represented through their established State
Beef Councils and the Federation.
The South Dakota Stock
Growers support and applaud the Secretary's decision to uphold
our beef promotion program.
His stand on this issue demonstrates his approval for the
endeavors of our state beef councils and Federation to promote,
educate and support future research for our beef products.
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March 26,
2010
For
More Information Contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429 or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South
Dakota
Stockgrowers Applaud State
Attorney General on Anti-Trust Efforts
South Dakota Stockgrowers
are pleased to learn that South Dakota Attorney General Marty
Jackley is one of 16 attorneys general who signed on to a letter
of recommendations recently submitted to the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States
Department of Justice (DOJ).
Recommendations included a
study of concentration and property rights in the seed industry,
enforcement of the Packers & Stockyards Act (P&SA) which
was implemented in 1921 but not enforced.
Livestock producers in
South Dakota
as well as other states have, for many years, asked for strong
enforcement of the P&SA as they deal with more and more
price manipulation, unfair trade practices and other harmful
anti-competitive actions.
Stockgrowers and others have
additionally requested assistance from DOJ in merger issues
which ultimately move power to large multinational corporations
at the expense of family farms and ranches.
USDA and DOJ have set series
of meetings throughout the country to address these issues and
to gather input from the grassroots members of agriculture.
The first meeting of the
series was held in
Ankeny
,
Iowa
on March 12, 2010 and has been acclaimed a success by most in
attendance. Other meetings are scheduled for May 21,
Normal
,
Alabama
, June 7,
Madison
,
Wisconsin
, August 26,
Fort Collins
,
Colorado
and December 8,
Washington
,
D.C.
Stockgrowers are excited
that USDA, the DOJ and these Attorneys General are coming
together with farmers and ranchers and consumers in an effort to
address the problems in our ag industry.
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March 19, 2010
For more information contact Margaret Nachtigall at:
605-342-0429 or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South
Dakota Stockgrowers ask for Disease Protection
South Dakota Stockgrowers
Association was dismayed at the recent notification of the 18th
case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) discovered in
Canada.
Stockgrowers’ president
Kenny Fox, Belvidere, SD hand delivered a letter to US Secretary
of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s staff members on March 15, 2010
once more urging the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) to restrict imports of potentially diseased cattle.
The letter delivered to
Secretary Vilsack, and copied to SD Sec of Agriculture, Bill
Even, SD State Veterinarian, Dr Oedekoven, SD Department of
Agriculture Executive Policy Analyst, Blair Dunn, Senator
Johnson, Senator Thune and Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth
Sandlin again asked USDA to close the borders to cattle from
countries that not only endanger the health of the Unite States
cattle herd, but the health of the United States citizens.
President Fox’s letter
said in part “Mr. Secretary, you stated on February 5, 2010
when you put the NAIS to rest and I quote: “Although USDA has
a robust system in place to protect U.S. agriculture, with
today’s announcement, the Department will also be taking
additional actions to further strengthen protections against the
entry and spread of disease. These steps will include actions to
lessen the risk from disease introduction, initiating and
updating analyses on how animal diseases travel into the
country, improving response capabilities, and focusing on
greater collaboration and analyses with States and industry on
potential disease risk overall”.
President Fox further stated “I applaud and commend you for
this decision and because of this decision I respectfully urge
you to close the borders not only to the BSE threats from
Canada, but also Bovine Tuberculosis threats from Mexico.”
In October 2007 South
Dakota Stockgrowers joined R-CALF USA and 9 other plaintiffs in
a complaint filed against (USDA) in opposition to a proposed
rule which would allow the importation of live cattle born after
March 1, 1999. Cattle
of this age are extremely prone to (BSE).
On July 3 of the
following year Judge Lawrence L. Piersol in United States
District Court remanded the rule back to USDA at which time he
also ordered them to file quarterly status reports to the Court.
However, the Judge’s
ruling did not prevent the implementation of the rule and these
older cattle are now routinely imported into the United States.
South Dakota Stockgrowers
Association signed a letter, along with 39 other organizations
November 17, 2009 requesting USDA to restore our disease
protection to the levels they were
prior to relaxing the BSE restriction. A paragraph from
that letter says “The proper policy is to bring United
States’ BSE regulations in line with past standards, which
were more closely aligned to the current standards of our
trading partners. Animal
health as well as food and product safety, should be held in
higher regard than trade facilitation.
Public support for such a change is clear.
The industry need is clear.
Consumer confidence would increase.
The United States’ current trade imbalances would
become more balanced. Risks
to animal and human health would be drastically reduced.”
- # # # -
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March 11, 2010
For more information contact Margaret Nachtigall at:
605-342-0429 or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South
Dakotans Appointed to National Board
South
Dakota Stockgrowers Association was pleased to receive
notification from the USDA Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack
confirming the appointment of Linda Gilbert,
Buffalo
,
SD
to the Cattlemens Beef Promotion and Research Board (CBB).
The
CBB is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of
1985. It oversees the collection of the $1-per-head beef
checkoff which is assessed against the sale of all cattle sold
in the
United States
and a per-head equivalent for imported beef and beef products.
The
CBB also shares with the Operating Committee, the responsibility
of contracting with certain non-profit organizations who choose
to provide consumer education, promotion, research, foreign
marketing and other beef related programs.
South
Dakota Stockgrowers’ Marketing Committee Chairman,
Vaughn Meyer
,
Reva
,
SD
said “we applaud Secretary Vilsack’s appointment of Linda
Gilbert to the CBB. Linda’s dedication of service to
numerous state and local organization along with her steadfast
commitment to our beef industry makes her an excellent
spokesperson for
South Dakota
and our beef promotion activities.”
Linda
and her husband Ray are 4th generation ranchers on
the Gilbert Angus Ranch,
Buffalo
,
SD.
They operate a commercial cow/calf family owned business that
focuses on the use and conservation of natural resources.
Partners in the operation include daughter Andrea, son and wife
Lloyd and Patty and grandchildren Sawyer and Grey.
Linda
is a long time member of the Stockgrowers Association, a 5 year
member of the Board of Directors and currently is Chairperson of
the Ag and Natural Resources Committee.
She
is an active member of
R-CALF
USA
, Dakota Rural Action, the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation,
and various other local organizations.
Linda
is a graduate of
Black Hills
State
University
with a BA in Education and a minor in psychology.
Linda
is one of two new appointees from
South Dakota
–
Danni Beer
s,
Keldron
,
SD
was also appointed to the board. South Dakota Stockgrowers are
excited about these appointments and very appreciative of
Secretary Vilsack’s interest and support of the Checkoff
program.
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March
9, 2010
CONTACT:
Silvia Christen - (605) 342-0429
ATTACHED:
Class photograph
SD Stockgrowers Agritourism Business Course Graduates
Thirty
Thirty individuals from across western
South Dakota
celebrated the completion of a five week Agritourism
business planning course at South Dakota Stockgrowers
Association office on Monday evening. Graduates of
the course, Agritourism: Your next cash crop?, received
certificates, and announced the creation and expansion of twelve
agritourism businesses.
Jan Jantzen who facilitated the course said, “Each of the
graduates have spent twenty hours in class, thinking about the
type of experiences they can provide, how they want to package,
price and market that experience, and how to do it in a way that
makes sense for their ranching operations. They are as
ready as they’ll ever be to start their businesses and I’m
confident that we’ll see great things from this group.”
Bill
and Cecilia Steen of Scenic attended the course to explore how
they could expand their existing hunting business into a
working-ranch vacation destination. “We know what we had
on our ranch, and we knew what we needed for a business, but
just didn’t know how to start. This course put us over
the first hill.” Bill said, “Taking the class gave us the
confidence to know that we can do this, and helped us to develop
our ideas into a business plan.”
Twelve
of the families attending the course announced new or expanding
businesses ranging from trail rides and corporate retreats to
chuck-wagon tours, dutch-oven cooking, working ranch vacations,
and hunting excursions.
“Stockgrowers
is proud to have been able to offer this course to ranchers in
South Dakota
,” said
Margaret Nachtigall
, Executive Director for Stockgrowers. “We wish all of
our graduates the best of luck in their businesses and look
forward to seeing them succeed.”
This
course was supported by the South Dakota Community Foundation,
the Clarkson Family Foundation, and the South Dakota
Stockgrowers Association. Additional Agritourism courses
will be offered in the fall of 2010 and throughout 2011.
Please contact Silvia Christen at the SD Stockgrowers Assoc.,
605-342-0429, for more information about enrolling.
Graduates
of “Agritourism: Your next cash crop?” announced the
expansion or creation of twelve businesses on Monday, March 8 at
the Stockgrowers office in
Rapid City
.
Standing
Left to Right: Jacob and Richard Rausch, Hermosa, Bill and
Cecilia Steen, Scenic, Jan Jantzen, Emporia, KS, Carol and Bob
Rahja of Whitewood, Kendra Paulton of Edgemont, Dave Vinson of
Martin, Mark Hollenbeck, Edgemont, Joanne Harmon and Helen
Reidlinger of Sturgis,
Bill Kluck
, Mud Butte, Margaret Maloney, Hot Springs, Luke Lopez of
Mobridge, Ned Westphal, Julie and Casey Brazell all of Custer,
Margaret Nachtigal, Stockgrowers Exec. Dir., and Scott Walters
of Faith.
Seated
Left to Right: Kathryn Stewart,
Ft.
Pierre
, Susan Paulton of Edgemont, Vicki Walters, Faith, Silvia
Christen, Stockgrowers Staff, David Hauck of Martin and Travis
Mickelson of Mud
Butte
.
Not
Pictured: Jessica Deering from Hereford, Susan Ricci, Wasta,
Linda Tidball, Edgemont, Dan O’Brien of Hermosa, Jill Maguire,
Rapid City, Linda Gilbert of Buffalo,
Mark DeVries
, Belvidere, Larry Reinhold of Sturgis, and Jim Rothstein of
Custer.
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|
March 8, 2010
For more information contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429 or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South
Dakota
Stockgrowers Association Honored
The
family of the late Doug Pederson, presented“
Silent Crossing”, a Jon Crane numbered print, to the South
Dakota Stockgrowers Association as a memoriam to Doug on
Saturday March 6, 2010
On
hand to receive the gift was former Chief Brand Inspector,
Jim Reed
,
Belle Fourche
along with staff and former staff of the Stockgrowers as well as
some of Doug’s friends and coworkers.
Doug’s family from
Colorado
to
Sioux Falls
gathered at the Stockgrower office to make the presentation.
Doug
was a loyal and highly respected brand inspector for the
Stockgrowers for many years continuing until the State of
South Dakota
’s acquirement of the brand inspection program. He began his
work as a brand inspector in 1988 at Winner Livestock Auction
after having previously worked at both
Belle Fourche
and St Onge Livestock auctions while attending college.
In
earlier conversation with Doug regarding his years as brand
inspector he said his only regret was that he didn’t start
sooner.
Former
Chief Brand Inspector
Jim Reed
said “Doug was a good brand inspector, a good friend and a
real asset to the Stockgrowers Brand Inspection Program.”
The
South Dakota Stockgrowers are deeply honored to have received
such a gift and to have had the chance to work with a man of
Doug’s caliber.
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February 25, 2010
For more information contact Margaret Nachtigall at:
605-342-0429 or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South Dakota Stockgrowers Association
Enjoys Successful Stock Show
South Dakota Stockgrowers Association would like to express their appreciation to the many individuals who made this year’s Black Hills StockShow a success for their organization.
According to the Stockgrower’s president, Kenny Fox, Belvidere “Scores of folks stopped by the booth to “talk shop” and to pay their annual dues. In addition we gained many new members as people become aware of the work R-CALF and SDSGA are doing. Also many, many individuals bought one or more chances on the R-CALF saddle.”
Fox explained that the saddle is built by Baxter Badure, Belvidere and sponsored by the following South Dakota businesses; Badure Ranch, Belvidere, First Interstate Bank, Belle Fourche, Sturgis, New Underwood, and Wall; Fort Pierre Livestock, Fort Pierre, Herber Ranch, Kadoka, March Trucking, Hot Springs, Premier Equipment, Mobridge, and South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.
He said “the proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets for the R-CALF saddle goes to benefit R-CALF USA and the work they do for the benefit of all ranchers and rural communities. The raffle tickets are for sale from the beginning of the Black Hills StockShow until the drawing for the winner which takes place the first week-end in June at the matched bronc ride in Fort Pierre.”
From the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association – “our hats are off to all who helped make this a great
StockShow.”
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February 5, 2010
For
More Information Contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429 or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
SD
Stockgrowers Rejoice at NAIS News
Responding to U.S. Secretary
of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s announcement this morning that
USDA will put to rest the present National Animal Identification
System (NAIS), South Dakota Stockgrowers president
Kenny Fox
stated “This is a banner day for producers in
South Dakota
and across the country. We applaud the Secretary of Agriculture
for listening to the voice of the people. At last summer's
listening session in
Rapid City
395 of the 400 present stood in opposition to the NAIS program.
Many of those 395 people were SD Stockgrower members who have
worked for years against NAIS and in support of sensible animal
health programs."
Stockgrower Regional Vice
President
Bill Kluck
, Mud Butte, SD stated “We thank the members of South Dakota
Stockgrowers Association and R-CALF USA for their participation
in the listening sessions throughout the country and for bearing
with us when we were told we could not win.”
According to Stockgrowers
member Nick Trask, Wasta, “Those individuals who thought NAIS
was unreasonable have been vindicated.
To those of us in the livestock business NAIS didn’t
make sense from the beginning, but many said we couldn’t stop
this program – just had to go along. This shows what you can
accomplish when you stand your ground.”
Stockgrower member Rick
VanderWey, Valentine, NE said “It’s gratifying to see the
Federal Government listen to the people who spoke throughout the
country at the listening sessions this past year.
They are hearing the will of the people and this brings
back confidence. This
is the beginning of restoring faith in our government.”
Chris Harvey, Stockgrower
Director from district 12 commented “We know that a fully
implemented voluntary NAIS was not much different than a
mandatory one. Today
the news from the USDA is very encouraging. It is gratifying to
know that our efforts are paying off.
It goes to show that if you engage the opposition with
honesty and integrity you never lose.
Now is not the time to relax.
We still need to be involved to make sure that
independent producers’ interests are protected in this new
approach from the USDA.”
Fox further stated that we
could not have succeeded without the joint efforts of grassroots
producers and organizations throughout this country.
To many livestock producers who so passionately fought
this battle, at times it seemed like David facing Goliath.”
This is an opportunity for all producers to work together with
the State Vet to build on the effective and efficient animal
health programs already in place in
South Dakota
. The SD Stockgrowers Association looks forward to cooperating
in this effort."
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February 1, 2010
For
more information contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429
or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
Stockgrowers
Send Request to SD Secretary of Agriculture
On January 21, 2010,At the
request of South Dakota Stockgrowers Association President
Kenny Fox
,
Belvidere
, the following letter was delivered to SD Secretary of
Agriculture,
Bill Even
, SD State Veterinarian Dr Dustin Oedekoven and chairmen of the
Senate and House Ag Committees. Fox stated “South Dakota
Stockgrowers request support of a 12 point plan to update the
nation’s system for the traceability of bovine disease
in the
United States
. This plan included a previously presented 8 point plan
from
R-CALF
USA
.” He stated the organizations who came together with the 12
point plan were American Angus Association, American Farm Bureau
Federation, Dairy Farmers of America, Livestock Marketing
Association, National Cattlemens Beef Association,
R-CALF
USA
, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and the US Cattlemens
Association.”
Dear
Secretary Even,
The
South Dakota Stockgrowers Association opposes a mandatory
national animal identification system (NAIS) for livestock. Such
a program is unnecessary, expensive, and duplicative of existing
state-run programs. The SD Stockgrowers Association is one of
100 signatories to the
November 18, 2009
letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack regarding NAIS funding and
withdrawal of federal NAIS regulations. That letter notes that
"NAIS is an ill-conceived, burdensome and badly implemented
solution for achieving the national objective of improving
animal disease prevention and control in the
United States
."
While
we are opposed to a mandatory NAIS, we do recognize the need for
improved animal health systems. Thus, the SD Stockgrowers
support
R-CALF
USA
's 8-point alternative course to NAIS.
The
SD Stockgrowers also agree with the findings of the "Report
on Cattle Identification Roundtable Discussion,
Kansas City
,
Missouri
,
November 4-5, 2009
". We particularly agree with that report's finding that
"The first step in improving cattle identification
is the individual identification of adult cattle (breeding age
cattle 18 months or older, excluding those going into terminal
feeding channels) by using the historically established federal
and state cattle disease programs as models, such as the
Brucellosis and Tuberculosis programs as they existed prior to
any NAIS modifications."
In
a
June 12, 2009
letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack, SD State Veterinarian
Oedekoven urged USDA-APHIS to "Keep animal health data at
the state level." Dr. Oedekoven also identified the cattle
breeding herd as the industry sector most in need of improved ID
and traceability.
We
note that USDA's Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service declined to forecast publication of a
final rule on National Animal Identification System; Use of 840
Animal Identification Numbers for U.S.-Born Animals Only, in the
agency's semi-annual regulatory agenda published Dec. 7. An
APHIS spokesperson has publicly stated that the rules related to
the NAIS have been placed on hold.
Our
opposition to a mandatory NAIS is absolute.
South Dakota
producers must not be saddled with an unnecessary, expensive,
and duplicative national animal ID system. But, in light of the
above, we believe the best course at this time against a
mandatory NAIS is to focus our efforts on improvements to
existing state-level animal health programs. This will result in
better animal health in
South Dakota
and will help preclude implementation of a mandatory NAIS.
Consequently,
we look forward to working with Dr.
Oedekoven and with
South Dakota
government officials to make certain that
South Dakota
’s existing animal health programs are working in the best
interests of
South Dakota
family ranchers and farmers and to
thereby make a mandatory NAIS completely unnecessary.
Regards,
/s/
Kenny
Fox
, President
SD
Stockgrowers Association
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January
27, 2010
For more information contact Margaret Nachtigall at:
605-342-0429 or margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
www.southdakotastockgrowers.org
South Dakota
Stockgrowers to Host John Munsell
South Dakota Stockgrowers
Association will host John Munsell, Miles City, Montana at their annual
Speaker in the Theater event at the Black Hills Stock Show in
Rapid City
on Monday, February 1.
The event begins at 5:30pm with a
reception in the theater lobby sponsored by Heather Kime Territory
Manager for Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health. Munsell will
speak at 6:30 in the Civic Center Theater.
Munsell’s family-owned slaughter
and processing facility was involved in a recall of 270 lbs of E.coli-contaminated
meat in 2002. He said “USDA’s current method of
non-inspection, called Hazard
Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP),
is based in political science and science fiction, guaranteeing ongoing
outbreaks and recurring recalls.”
Munsells
eventually sold the plant in 2005 and John became founder and now
manager of the Foundation for Accountability in Regulatory Enforcement
(FARE).
The
foundation provides support for small meat plants, and provides ideas to
the USDA for common sense changes in meat inspection policies.
Stockgrowers
are proud to be able to bring someone with John Munsell’s expertise
and common sense in the meat industry at a time when meat safety is
front and center.
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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Date: January
25, 2010
Contact: Silvia Christen,
Development Director 605-342-0429
Agritourism
Business Course Offered to SD Ranchers
South Dakota Stockgrowers
Association is inviting ranchers to register for an exciting educational
course entitled, “Agritourism: Your next cash crop?”.
“Agritourism: Your next cash crop?” is a five day course designed to
provide farmers and ranchers with the tools needed to successfully start
their own agritourism operations.
“The goal is for participants to
be ready to start their agritourism businesses at the end of the fifth
class period,” facilitator Jan Jantzen of Emporia, KS said. “We want to help you think through what you have available on your
farm or ranch, and how you can turn that into a successful tourism
destination.”
“This is a result-oriented
workshop, not an academic exercise,” said Jantzen.
The course was developed in Emporia,
KS by the Flint Hills Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)
Area, Inc. To date, participants in the course have successfully
started over 26 new agritourism businesses. Mr. Jan Jantzen, of
the Flint Hills RC&D facilitates the entire course which will be
taught by South Dakota experts on state regulations and licensing,
insurance and risk management, marketing, and financial planning.
“Stockgrowers is very excited to
be offering this course,” said Silvia Christen, Development Director
for the association. “This course is a great way to help
ranchers in South Dakota explore new economic opportunities, and also a
great way to get some of our urban neighbors out to a ranch and help
them to experience and learn about the realities of agriculture
production and our rural culture.”
The course is set to begin on
Monday, February 8, and will meet every Monday for five consecutive
weeks, ending on March 8. Each class meeting will be hosted at the
South Dakota Stockgrowers office in Rapid City, and costs ninety-five
dollars to enroll. Each additional person from the same family or
business may enroll for only fifty dollars
According to Jantzen, graduates of
the course will have named and described their businesses in detail.
They will have identified specific groups of customers they what to
serve, and they will have created marketing plans designed to reach
them. Graduates will learn how to use layers of liability
protection for their assets; they will know how to price their products
and services, and how to manage their income and expenses.
To learn more about the course, or
to register by February 1, visit www.southdakotastockgrowers.org,
or contact Silvia Christen at 605-342-0429.
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January 14, 2010
For
more information contact
Margaret Nachtigall
at:
605-342-0429 or
margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com
South Dakota
Stockgrowers Thank Senators
South Dakota Stockgrowers Association is
pleased with work done by South Dakota Senators in support of Country of
Origin Labeling (COOL) which was included in the 2008 Farm Bill.
We thank Senator Johnson who is an original sponsor of COOL and has
championed it from the beginning and we thank Senator Thune for his
ongoing support.
Led by South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson and Wyoming Senator Mike
Enzi, 26 senators including South Dakota Senator John Thune submitted a
letter to United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack and United
States Trade Representative Ron Kirk. The letter made it clear that the
United States
should be granted the same rights to country of origin labeling as 45
other countries that use the country of origin labeling on certain foods
including meats.
Both
Canada
and
Mexico
, who have country of origin labeling laws of their own, have requested
a hearing with the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement
Body (DSB) charging the
United States
with unfair trade due to the implementation of (COOL).
The letter stated, in part, “We believe that, in a manner
consistent with General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
obligations, the COOL program as signed into law in the 2008 Farm Bill
is nondiscriminatory in its treatment of imported goods, mandating that
both domestic and imported goods covered under the law be labeled with
country of origin”
Again, our hats are off to our South
Dakota Senators.
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January 11, 2010
From: R-CALF USA
Chief
Enforcer of the Packers and Stockyards Act to Keynote 11th
Annual Convention
R-CALF
USA will hold its 11th annual convention here Jan. 22-23,
2010, at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, located at I-90 and Lacrosse
St., Exit 59. Keynoting the convention will be J. Dudley Butler,
Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Grain
Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), the agency
charged with the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 (PSA),
which was established to protect independent cattle producers from the
unfair and deceptive practices of the concentrated meatpacking industry.
“Mr.
Butler’s presentation is particularly timely, as USDA and the U.S.
Department of Justice – for the first time in history – will soon
conduct joint workshops on the state of competition in U.S. agricultural
markets,” said R-CALF USA President/Region
VI Director Max Thornsberry. “In preparation for the workshops,
R-CALF USA submitted comprehensive comments and has called on both
agencies to take immediate, decisive action to enforce the PSA by
prohibiting the meatpackers’ ongoing use of price-depressing, captive
supply cattle.
“As
everyone knows, today’s cattle prices do not reflect the severe
shortage of cattle we have in this country or the price of beef at the
grocery store, and it’s clear that R-CALF is the lead organization in
the fight to solve these inequities,” continued Thornsberry.
“We
only have a few booths left in the trade show area, so any vendors
interested in having the opportunity to speak directly with our members
who make the day-to-day decisions about their operations should contact
me as soon as possible,” said R-CALF USA Membership Services
Coordinator Laurel Masterson. She can be reached at 406-252-2516.
“We
are also offering the opportunity to sponsor events, a great advantage
to those businesses unable to attend the convention, but still wanting
to show their support for R-CALF,” she pointed out. “We’re
expecting a good turnout from members as well. This is one of the few
opportunities they have to devote two full days working with others to
protect the future of the U.S. live cattle industry.”
The
convention opens at 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 22, and at
10:30 a.m., the R-CALF USA Private Property Rights Committee will get
things underway with its fourth annual seminar on issues that affect
landowners and/or individuals who graze cattle on public lands.
The
luncheon speaker for the day will be Brian O’Shaughnessy, chairman of
Revere Copper Products, as
well as a representative of the Coalition for a Prosperous
America (CPA), a group dedicated to reforming harmful U.S. trade
policies for agriculture and manufacturing. The
afternoon wraps up with reports from the group’s Animal
Identification, Checkoff, HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control
points) and Animal Health Committees. The highlight for the evening’s
dinner will be chief PSA enforcer J. Dudley Butler.
On
Saturday, Jan. 23, the day kicks off with a prayer breakfast. The
speaker during the breakfast will be Steven Pratt. The morning continues
with reports from the Marketing and COOL (country-of-origin labeling)
committees. A presentation by R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard is next,
followed by the Membership Committee report.
The
business session, where proposed policy resolutions are brought forward,
will flesh out the rest of the afternoon.
The
convention wraps up with an evening banquet, featuring GB Oliver, III,
and Bill Reynolds, both with the Paragon Foundation. The Paragon
Foundation was created in 1996 to support the advancement of the
fundamental principals articulated by the United States’ founding
fathers in both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S.
Constitution. Following the banquet is an exclusive Membership Showcase
where participants are encouraged to share any talents they have with
the group.
“We’ve
added this new Showcase to provide a relaxing and light-hearted end to
what will be a very serious two-day effort to improve the economic and
political environment for independent cattle producers,” Masterson
said. “It doesn’t matter if the talent is singing, playing an
instrument, ventriloquism, dancing or comedy, we’re looking to show
our members that even organizations as serious as R-CALF USA still have
time for fun and relaxation.”
Room
rates for the event are $89 plus tax per night. Please call 605-343-8550
to make reservations.
In
order for credentialed media to secure complimentary registration and
meals, they should contact R-CALF USA
Communications Coordinator Shae Dodson-Chambers at the phone number or
e-mail address listed above no later than Jan. 14, 2010.
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