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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.”


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


 

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.


 

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.


 

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.


 

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.