Margaret's Weekly Tallybook

The weekly Stockgrowers Tallybook can be heard every Monday on KWYR -Winner at 1260AM and on KBJM - Lemmon at 1400AM

Thank you to these stations for hosting the South Dakota Stockgrowers!

July 19, 2010

Good Morning this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

For your information – if you are still thinking that the Stockgrower trip to Chile and Argentina would be a fun thing, please, just give us a call here at the office 342-0429.  You can still book the trip, the only question after the July 15 deadline is that the airline ticket may not be the same.  However, you are free to book your own flight as long as you end up at the right place at the right time to join the tour.  We do have enough confirmations to go ahead and book the tour, but can still take 2 or 3 more.

This past week’s busyness seemed to be centered on the new rules proposed by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act (GIPSA) which would in fact put some teeth in the P&SA. If you remember last September when J Dudley Butler , new administrator of GIPSA spoke at the Stockgrowers annual convention, he said when these rules are brought forth there would be strong opposition and probably law suits from the packing industry.

We know he was absolutely right since the National Pork Producers Council NPPC and the National Cattlemens Beef Association both have requested an extension of 120 days for the comment period which is due to close on August 23^rd.  This of course would move everything to the end of the year and a possible change in the seats in congress following the election in November.

If you have a chance read Alan Guebert’s column this week. In part of the column he quotes the NPPC and NCBA thus “the rules will result in significant changes in how livestock are marketed and procured by meat packers.” Alan’s comment was “well duh.”

We are seeing some positive moves in this industry and it is up to us to keep them moving forward.  When Mr Butler spoke to us in September he said his orders were to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act and he very emphatically stated that that is what he will do.  He also said “but..I need the support of every one of you who has an interest in this business because the big boys are not going to like it and they will fight back.”

Another move to the positive is the first time ever for a joint meeting of the Department of Justice and the United States Department of Agriculture.  These meetings are being held around the country somewhat like the hearing sessions that we saw regarding NAIS – and they worked!

We have a chance to attend one of these meetings in Ft Collins, Colorado on August 27, 2010.  Nearly every livestock organization I know of is planning to take a bus to Ft Collins.  South Dakota Stockgrowers will charter a bus to go from here on the 26^th.  There will be a rally on the evening of the 26^th and then the meetings on the 27^th.  We will return home following the meetings on the 27^th.  I think it is imperative that we show our support by filling this bus (and more if we can).  You don’t have to speak, but just being there shows the support.  There is no way we can compete with the kind of money that the packers, NCBA, NPPC and that type have, but if we have a government that is ready to fight for us and we can support them with our attendance at this meeting, then by all means let’s do it.  Please call us to reserve a seat on the bus – it’ll be a fun work day.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and let’s keep the momentum going our way.

July 12, 2010

Good Monday Morning this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

And a busy Monday it is – I don’t know what there is about Monday mornings, after all it’s only one day after Sunday – shouldn’t be any busier than another.

I can’t believe the winter wheat is almost ready for harvest and it’s only been a few short weeks since you could first row those little green shoots peeking through!

Haying is winding up in some areas and the pressure is on in other areas – please remember to take extra care – and especially remember to set an example for our young folks in the hay field who already believe they are invincible.

I hope everyone is looking forward to an October vacation and especially one in South America .  Sounds exciting doesn’t it!  South Dakota Stockgrowers Association along with KBHB is putting together a trip to Chile and Argentina , South Americ

The deadline is nearing for confirmation of the trip, so if you would like to be included please call this office @ 342-0429 or Leslie at Dakota Travel @ 605-341-0744.  Your refundable deposit is due this week.

This is going to be an exciting and interesting trip for ranchers, and anyone who is interested in agriculture, especially in other countries.

You will fly in to Santiago , Chile on October 12, 2010; spend 3 nights there with day trips to the surrounding areas of vineyards, cattle ranches and crop farms.  From there you will take a bus trip over the Andes Mountain range for some breath taking picture opportunities; some visits with small mountain villages; and marvel at the way people farm the steep slopes of these mountains.

You will arrive in Mendoza Argentina on Saturday evening and have Sunday to attend and Argentine church service, taste some local wine and just generally relax before you enjoy an afternoon drive through the Pampas region of Argentina .

The Pampas Region is agriculture and you will spend 3 days here touring one of the largest cattle feeding operations in the world; you will see a grass-fed Angus beef operation; a grain farm and elevator  and you will enjoy a traditional “Asado” steak BBQ with local ranchers – what a way to meet the grassroots folks from a different country!

As you move on to Buenos Aires , Argentina you will have a chance to visit one of the largest Cattle Markets in the world, the Liniers Cattle Market.

Since Buenos Aires is the birth place of the tango no trip would be complete without a visit to a tango show.  You will leave this city of 14 million people to land on home soil October 22, 2010.

Silvia tells me the trip is almost full as of this morning, but still have room for more, so make that call asap to get your name on the trip and begin looking forward to a fun and informative trip.

That’s all for now – this is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening – and don’t miss this chance of a lifetime – don’t wait too long.

June 21, 2010

Good Morning this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

What a beautiful day we have this morning – sunshine and blue sky.  But, lots of hay getting washed these last few days.  It’s a little frustrating to see such beautiful alfalfa fields and then in a matter of days the fields take on a pale sickly look as the weevils do their dirty work – there’s no waiting for the weather to settle, it’s “knock it down and hope the rains will bring a second cutting for a change.

Right now there’s a bit of sunshine and blue skies in Washington DC as they roll out the rules that should put some teeth in the Packers and Stockyards Act.  The rules being issued will give producers a better shot at some fair prices in a meatpacker controlled market.

The rule which is called the “undue preferences” rule is designed to prohibit meat packers from providing unreasonable and unfair advantages for certain sellers such as sweetheart deals to certain feedlots in order to

artificially establish a price lower than that of a fair market. It would also require them to provide written records to justify those price differences.

The rule establishes that a producer filing a claim against an unfair practice does not need to prove injury to the industry – only injury to his own operation.  At the present time if a producer files a claim stating an unfair practice he has to prove that that practice is harmful to the entire industry in which he participates.

It also more clearly defines marketing agreements, contracts and other terms used in the business which will present a stronger arena for producers’ claims in a court of law.

The rule prohibits meatpackers from buying and selling live cattle with each other.

As expected the reaction from the three major packers who control over 80% of the slaughter market are reacting to this rule somewhat like a stirred up hornets nest.  They, of course, have had control of the market since prior to the implementation of the Packers and Stockyards Act in 1921.  They were given special privileges at that time and the Packers and Stockyards has never really been enforced.

J. Dudley Butler, Administrator of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act (GIPSA) told us last September when he spoke at the Stockgrowers Convention that when these rules come out he will need the support of every producer in the country because as he said “ there will be lawsuits filed by those who will oppose it”.

To my knowledge at this time the only livestock organization opposing this is NCBA.  They are calling it government intrusion and etc. 

I’d like to quote Mike Callicrate who said “The big packers and retailers have been robbing the bank.  Over $400 per head is currently being stolen from cow-calf producers. Meanwhile, NCBA is happily driving the getaway car. Thankfully, the current administration is working to stop the crooks”. Mike said – I welcome this new sheriff in town!” (unquote)

Folks this is great news for livestock producers and is just the beginning.  If USDA gets our support at this time we will continue to see good things come to our industry – but it cannot and will not be done without our support. We have 60 days to comment on this rule. We have a job to do – let’s do it!

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and don’t forget the Trip to Chile & Argentina call the office here at 342-0429 to reserve a seat.

June 14, 2010

Good Morning folks and a rainy one it is - this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

We sat in the rain at the Regional High School Rodeo in Sturgis Saturday and some rain on Sunday.  Most folks in their rain-gear and some 5 buckle overshoes in the area.  The problem is – when the monsoons follow an 8 or 9 year drought no one can find the slickers or overshoes – but what a nice problem – I don’t think anyone is complaining too much yet.

Last Thursday, June 10^th the Stockgrowers held their Summer Quarterly meeting at the beautiful Grand Lodge in Highmore , SD.

We had a great time – the town of Highmore welcomed us with open arms, made posters for us and provided a wonderful banquet for us on Thursday evening thanks to the Highmore Booster Club.

We had good meetings with committee meetings running from 8:30 am ‘til approximately 3:30 pm and was followed by the Board of Directors Meeting winding up at 6:30 – just in time to get to our supper.

One of the highlights of the meetings was Lobbyist Jeremiah Murphy’s report on upcoming issues that may impact our members.  Jeremiah listed 7 areas of interest for the coming year:

1.)    Animal ID which supposed to be a new Animal Disease Traceability Program that concentrates on animal disease traceability with the states taking the lead and no National Premises Registration involved.

2.)    One of the subjects that have come up in the Wildlife part of the Stockgrowers program is predator control which we need to stay on top of.

3.)    Animal Care vs Animal Cruelty is on the front page of almost every state legislature as HSUS attempts to take control of that area.

4.)    We have policy on Genetic Engineering of alfalfa, but this is something that we need to watch in other areas as well.  For instance we have received word that Monsanto has applied for a patent on hog genetics.

5.)    Eminent Domain will again be on the front burner as we look at its use in railroad and pipeline situations.

6.)    Although we are no longer involved in brand inspection, we are still interested in brand laws and regulations that impact our members and nonmembers alike.  We will still watch for changes in these laws.

7.)    Property Tax Assessments – apparently there needs to be some adjustments in the new property tax laws.  There was a bill introduced last year regarding pasture situations, but was killed. 

Jeremiah stated that there will be a big turnover in legislators this year as well as a turnover in legislative leadership that we need to stay in touch with.  Stockgrowers consider themselves lucky to have Jeremiah’s lobbyist knowledge and instincts to keep us informed on these issues and be there to fight for us when the time comes in Pierre .

On thing that was missing and is missing in many of our Quarterly Meetings is producer participation other than our directors.  We want you to know that your input is what we act on and we sincerely want to hear from you and need your criticisms and/or critiques.

Mark your calendar for August 27^th Ft Collins, Colorado – let’s load a bus to make ourselves heard in the Dept of Justice – USDA listening session

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying – Thanks for listening.

June 7, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

I don’t know about the rest of you but I don’t remember this country ever looking so good – it’s a beautiful sight!  Now, I know this is not a major problem, but I can’t seem to get my yard mowed – No, I’m really not complaining.

This week Stockgrower Directors and members travel to Highmore for the 2010 Summer Quarterly which will be held on June 10^th at the Grand Lodge in Highmore. 

We’ll start the day off at 8:00 Central Time when Shane Kolb chairs the Trade Committee as he sits in for Mike Maher (who used the excuse of having back surgery that day for not attending the meeting) followed by the Bill Kluck Animal Health & ID Chairman; Shane again as Membership Chairman; followed by Craig Shaver with Property Rights and Mark Tubbs bringing us up to date on Federal Lands issues.

Next up is the Marketing Committee where Linda Gilbert will be updating us on the happenings with the Cattlemens’ Beef Board (CBB) part of the Beef Checkoff.  Following that committee we will take a lunch break and hear Ernie Mertz speak, and answer questions, regarding the changes that may affect our Beef Checkoff Program following the Organizational Restructuring of the National Cattlemens’ Beef Association (NCBA).

After lunch we continue committee meetings with Jim Murphy , chairing the Brand & Theft Committee; Mark DeVries with the Wildlife Committee; Chance Davis heads up the Education/Taxation/Legislation Committee and Linda Gilbert will take us to break time with the Ag & Natural Resources Committee.

At 3:30pm we wind up the committee meetings with the Finance Committee led by Immediate Past President Larry Nelson .

At 5:00 p.m. or immediately following the Finance Committee meeting President Kenny Fox will call the Board of Directors Meeting to order.

The plan is to complete the business meeting before 7:00 pm since the Highmore Boosters Club has been generous enough to plan a supper for us at the East Wing of the Hyde County Memorial Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.– Thank You Highmore Booster Club!!

Also, for those of you who were planning to attend the farm/ranch/feedlot tour, we did have to postpone that to a later date.  Bob Mack who is our tour organizer will be driving his Dad to the Mayo Clinic and as you probably know a person doesn’t have a whole lot of say-so when it comes to setting those appointments.

I also want to remind everyone that our meetings are all open – we invite and urge everyone who has an interest in agriculture and/or the profitability and viability of our farmers and ranchers to meet with us. Help us determine the road to take for the benefit of our rural economy.  We need your help!

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and remember… just one more person can make all the difference in the world.

May 25, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

Well, it sounds like our friends in Walworth County had a bit of a rough ride over the week-end.

I talked to Ernie Metz this morning – he said some of his neighbors lost basically everything and that the tornado was about 3 miles from his place.  He said he and all the rest of the neighbors were helping with the cleanups and he said the storm-chasers were still there also.  I commented that it was really nice of them to stay and help with the cleanup. His response was that that was not the reason they’re still there.

He said they are all thankful that there were no injuries and that they are watching the weather today.

As many of you know the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is restructuring their organization and that the restructuring also involves part of the Beef Checkoff Program in that it will impact the State Beef Councils, or Federation as it is also called.

Several grassroots organizations including South Dakota Stockgrowers have had a chance to examine the basics of this restructuring and see it as a NCBA takeover.  We here at the Stockgrowers and several other organizations sent a letters to the Animal Marketing Service (AMS) and to Secretary Vilsack to point out the objections we as check-off  payers have to that restructuring.

I think our attention to this paid off as we have received word that Secretary Vilsack advised NCBA that they must include the following fire walls:

1) There must be 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 Cattlement’s Beef Board and not by policy organizations.

3) Federation membes who serve on the Beef Promotion Operating Committee are to be nominated and elected only by the Federation.

4) Federation members do not vote on policy nor are the required to pay for seats in a policy organization.

5) A policy organization should not be permitted to influence or vote on check-off decisions. 

6) Secretary Vilsack stated that the Animal Marketing Service has statutory and regulatory oversight of the Federation and the Board.

7) And finally failure to meet these requirements would raise serious legal concerns regarding the restructuring plans and whether they comply to the Act and Order.

We are supportive and very appreciative of Secretary Vilsack’s stand on this – it has long been a thorn in the side of the grassroots producers who pay the lion’s share of the checkoff.

On other issues, we are working with the Black Hills Multiple Use Organization and others regarding the Wilderness Area Designation in the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands.  If you have comments or concerns please drop a line here to the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association at 342-0429.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and remember… just one more person can make all the difference in the world

May 17, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

I seem to have lost some of my memory since selling our cows 3 or 4 years ago – that is I forgot that when you go to a branding you don’t just sit on the fence and take pictures as was my intention!  I am definitely stiff and sore today, but had a great week-end.

Why are numbers so hard to get your head around – or is it because the numbers I’m trying to make sense of have a dollar figure in front of them?  Maybe it’s because the computer keeps putting parentheses around so many numbers and coloring them red? Anyway I remember why I’m not an accountant.  And I know this is not a problem specific to this office – I guess it’s comforting to have company.  But these negative dollar figures are indicative of our industry and the Stockgrowers association is doing everything in our power to keep these present cattle prices on the upward trend and to help give South Dakota a strong economic rural economy.

Well, this past week has been a bit slower than the last ones – Kenny did make the trip to Kansas City regarding the new animal disease traceability information.  He said there are still some of the old NAIS proponents who don’t want to turn loose of it, but for the most part they are looking at something very similar to the 8 point program suggested by R-CALF which would basically put the program in the hands of the states and tribal nations with federal oversight.  It would also look at sources of disease such as wildlife, imports from countries with known disease; use of a small metal tag instead of the rfid; and would also look at tracebacks to the original slaughter facility, not just the final small distributor.

I’m sure most of you have received the post card that Silvia sent out regarding the trip to Chile and Argentine.  The requests for information are starting to come in but if you did not receive a card and have questions please give us a call here at the office.  In the meantime the dates for the trip are: arrive in Santiago , Chile on October 12 and arrive back in the US from Buenos Aires , Argentina on October 22.  The trip looks to be an exciting one with the main emphasis on agriculture.  Included in the tour are trips to cattle ranches, crop farms, vineyards, one of the largest cattle feeding operations in the world,  a grass-fed Angus ranch, and an Argentina Cattle Market, just to name a few.  Of course, the tour would not be complete without a trip to a Tango Show.

As I said last week, Congresswoman Herseth-Sandlin is hosting a 2012 Farm Bill Hearing in Sioux Falls tomorrow, May 18^th.  Someone from Stockgrowers will be attending, but not sure yet who or how many.

I will say I am quite disappointed in that I sent a request to that office 2 weeks ago requesting information on the structure of the meeting, who could speak and etc.  I finally received a reply late Friday showing 2 panels – the first made up of East River crop producers and the second biofuel interests from East River, Omaha and a forest products producer from Wyoming .  I asked if a later meeting was planned for West River livestock interests and was told that meetings had be held in Wyoming and Idaho addressing interests similar to the Stockgrowers.  Once again folks I think our wok is cut out for us.

Like I said, this is a pretty quiet week and I apologize for the short report today.  So I guess all what’s left for me is to go back to that exciting finance report.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and remember… just one more person can make all the difference in the world.

May 10, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

What a rainy day this is – I had about a half inch at 6:30 this morning and it was raining hard when I left. 

I hope all you mothers out there had a great Mother’s Day week-end. My Mother’s Day was spread out over several days since my kids were hauling my grandkids to a rodeo at Kyle, a horse show at Gillette, or a State Soccer Meet at Sheridan , Wyo. I am so thankful my kids are involved with their kids’ activities.  And..I received a phone call from a step-son in Surinam , South America .

In 2002 the US Forest Service recommended an area of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands to be designated as Wilderness, and last Wednesday Senator Johnson introduced legislature making that possible.  We here at the Stockgrowers along with several other SD Ag organizations are strongly opposed to this designation.  Yes, the bill is written to allow grazing and many recreational activities that exist there today.  We are told that it will be managed as it is today and our question then is why not leave it as is?  The grazing is allowed to continue subject to reasonable regulations as deemed necessary by the Secretary of Agriculture.  However, the federal government doesn’t have a real good track record on managing prairie dogs.  If we see the same management of prairie dogs in this wilderness as we see in Wind Cave National Park for instance, we know the forage will be decreased and I’m sure the Secretary will deem it necessary to reduce the domestic livestock since wildlife is considered a priority in wilderness areas.

Many news articles state that a majority of the people wants the wilderness designation, however, we have seen just the opposite.  Many of you over the weekend received a card to be filled out and mailed back to Senator Johnson with your thoughts on this designation.  I would urge you to do this whether you are for or against.  If you have never called or written to a senator, or written a letter to the editor, please take 5 minutes and fill out this card and send it back.  There is no special protocol, writing technique, or anything other than be polite – just do it.

In other news Mark DeVries and Dave Fuoss will be representing South Dakota Stockgrowers in an ad hoc committee to review South Dakota Statutes regarding animal cruelty.  Nearly every state in the union has been the target of  the Humane Society of the United States  (HSUS).  The basic desire of this organization, (which is not that same as your local Humane Society) is to eliminate domestic livestock.

Several SD ag organizations have formed this committee to come together with a plan and legislation to prevent HSUS from doing harm to our number one industry and our rural economy.

President Kenny Fox leaves for Kansas City today for a meeting of interested parties regarding the new animal disease traceability system.  We are all hoping the outcome of this and future meetings will indeed be a new system, not the old NAIS with a different name, as some are saying.

Next week some Stockgrowers will be traveling to Sioux Falls to take part in one of the first meetings on the 2012 Farm Bill – plan on hearing more on this for the next 2 – 3 years!

Please mark you calendars for June 10 and 11 for the SD Stockgrowers June Quarterly in Highmore , SD which we will be holding in conjunction with the Cattlewomens’ meeting, so call the neighbor or get the hired man lined up so you can both get away to this meeting.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and remember… just one more person can make all the difference in the world.

May 3, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

Well, as I promised last Monday the week was a rather busy one – not sure what we accomplished, but hope we did do some good.

I and some of the other Stockgrower members attended the Drive-In, Fly-In meeting that we were invited to at Ellsworth Air Force Base.  The purpose of which, of course, was the proposed expansion of the Power River Training area which is the training area for Ellsworth.  It was an interesting day in that we were given a tour of some of the facilities, had the chance to sit in a B51, and later sit in a flight simulation of the B51.  We were served a wonderful lunch and then the expanded training area was explained to us.  Several of the 30 some attendees at the meeting were pilots including Stockgrower members from the training area who use planes in the day-to-day operation of their ranches.  Colonel Taliaferro and his crew were most gracious, very hospitable, answered our questions, and appeared anxious to be able to work with the surrounding countryside. However, in the end the Air Force still believes they need to expand their training area and the ranchers still have to be able to operate their ranches.  I do believe there is a desire on both sides to get this worked out and I am very appreciative of the fact that Colonel Taliaferro and his crew are making an effort to work with us.  Their job is to protect our country – our job is to feed our country.  Somehow there must be a way for both to succeed.

On Friday Silva and I drove to Sioux Falls to set up the booth and attend the South Dakota Livestock Marketing Association’s annual convention.  We met some great folks down there, had a chance to talk about the Stockgrowers Association and to see the auction barn owners side of livestock marketing. We had a chance to tour the new (2005) Sioux Falls Regional Livestock Auction Barn near Canton . What a beautiful up-to-date facility.  Sometimes when we only know of something from one side we tend to have a slightly skewed idea of the whole picture.  I am well aware of the auction barn picture, but only from the seller and sometimes the buyer side of it.  One thing I do know for sure is that we could not survive without the auction barns and we here at the Stockgrowers Association are forever appreciative of the support we receive from them.

On our upcoming schedule is the beginning of work on the 2012 Farm Bill – didn’t we just get done with the 2008 one??  Yep, it was finally finished last year.  The good part of that is the fact that we finally got a Livestock Title in the Farm Bill which includes COOL, Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement, mandatory price reporting and interstate sales of state inspected meat.  We will be working to improve upon these issues, but also working with Trade, Animal Health and ID, Concentration and Consolidation, Food Safety, and Private Property issues, all of which will have areas of interest in the upcoming Farm Bill.

The US House Ag Committee is holding Farm Bill information gathering meetings around the country.  One of them is scheduled for May 18^th at Augustana College in Sioux Falls and one will be held at the Laramie County community College in Cheyenne , Wyoming tomorrow, May 4^th.  Anyone interested is welcome to accompany those of us who will be attending.

We also received word that the Department of Justice/ US Department of Agriculture joint meeting that is scheduled for Colorado has been changed to by one day to August 27^th 2010.  Again, we will be attending and would encourage anyone and everyone to join in.  If you doubt whether we have been heard, consider the fact that Secretary Vilsack cancelled the NAIS program after hearing from producers who attended the hearing sessions around the country.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and remember… if no one makes a move nothing will happen.

April 26, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

What a great rain we had over the weekend – hope yours was the same – up to 3 inches of welcome rain in many places.

Again we start the day with condolences, this time to Larry Schuelke and family.  They have really been hit hard.  Larry’s Dad Robert, passed away last Tuesday the 20^th and then his wife Jo Ellen died unexpectedly at the ranch at Mud Butte on Wednesday.  I’m not sure how many of you know Clade, Larry and Jo Ellen’s son, but he was the one who video’d the speakers at the Stockgrowers Annual meeting the past 2 years.  He did it for experience – didn’t want any pay.  The Schuelke’s have been big supporters of the Stockgrowers such as providing headstalls and rocking chairs and other items for the live auction at the annual meeting.  Jo Ellen usually stopped at the office when she was in town.

Some of you may have already heard the news, but if not get ready for a trip to South America !

That’s right the Stockgrowers have teamed up with KBHB and are sponsoring a trip to Chile and Argentina .  You will fly in to Santiago , Chile on October 12, take a bus trip to Argentina on the 15^th and fly out of Buenos Aires on the 22^nd. Most areas of interest are agricultural, such as visit to a farm, tour a large feedlot, a large cattle market selling 11000 head 4 days a week. And of course, you can’t leave Buenos Aires , the birthplace of the Tango without attending a Tango Show.  I believe trip confirmation has to be made by July 15.  For more information call the Stockgrowers Office.

In other news things were pretty quiet here in the office last week, but this week will probably make up for it.  Tomorrow some of the Stockgrowers have been invited to a Fly-In/Drive-In day at Ellsworth.  This is in conjunction with concerns raised regarding the proposed Powder River Training Complex.  As far as I know the attendees will be mostly those in the Northwest part of the state who will be impacted by this new training expansion.  This is a very serious matter especially for those who depend on their own airplanes for checking pastures as many of them do in that area.

On Friday Silvia and I will be traveling to Sioux Falls to set up the Stockgrower Booth at the South Dakota Livestock Marketing Association Annual Convention.  We’ll be there through Saturday, so if you’re in that part of the country and are out and about be sure to stop by and visit a bit. The livestock markets are an extremely necessary part of our industry and we believe in thanking and supporting them every chance we get.  Stop for just a minute and think what our industry would be like without them.

One of the things that is always on our not too distant horizon is Free Trade Agreements with foreign countries.  One of our congressional delegates offices called us last week to ask our opinion on the South Korea , Columbia and Panama Trade Agreements.  I haven’t been able to get together with Mike Maher who is our Trade Committee Chairman, but I’m quite sure we are still where we were last year, which is that most of the Free Trade Agreements are certainly not Fair Trade Agreements as far as the United States is concerned.

For one thing I haven’t heard that there have been any changes in the fact that we have not required those trading partners to have rules of origin.  In other words if rules of origin are not included the other country may procure beef from a 3^rd country, slaughter it and export to the US as their own.  Also, as far as I know, there has not been a requirement for special rules for perishable and cyclical products as was stated in the Trade Act of 2002.  These concerns along with the sanitary, phyto-sanitary concerns have not been met and until they are the Stockgrowers Association is opposed to these Free Trade Agreements.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying – please write to your Senators and Congresswoman to keep diseased livestock out of this country and keep our herd safe.  Thank you.

April 19, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

What a beautiful day we have today – with a promise of rain this week-end which is probably received differently according to when the branding is scheduled, whether the spring wheat is in and many other busy situations.  Last week I said the snow was about all gone, but the remainder of a few drifts can still be seen.

Our condolences go out today to the family of Stuart Bieber who was killed this week-end in a tragic water-skiing accident in Georgia .

Our work here at the Stockgrowers kind of centered around the old OTM/beef import area this past week in a couple different instances.

First we have received word that Brazil has requested regionalization of the state of Santa Catarina , Brazil for the purpose of exporting ruminants, ruminant products and swine and swine products although the surrounding states are not free of many diseases including Foot and Mouth Disease.

We have argued in the past against selecting one small area of a country that is purported to be free of disease while disease such as FMD is prevalent in the rest of the country.  In 2000 a regionalized area of Argentina was proposed, however within 1 year Argentina saw many outbreaks of FMD and USDA had to withdraw their proposal.  Some time later the same proposal was made for an area of Uruguay – within 4 months Uruguay had an outbreak of FMD.  The latest was in December of 2009 when South Korea requested a regionalized area and USDA agreed.  On January 6, 2010 just 4 days prior to the effective date South Korea experienced a large outbreak of FMD.  They are now in the process of destroying 30,000 head of cattle.

As if history wasn’t enough to put a stop to this idiotic type of trade, we have discovered that the rules that USDA has written are inaccurate.  The rules state that neighboring states to Santa Catarina are free of outbreaks since 2005, however, according to the World Organization of Animal Health Website one of the states bordering Santa Catarina experienced several outbreaks in 2006.

R-CALF USA and South Dakota Stockgrowers, and probably several others, have requested (prior to publication in the Federal Register) that the proposed rule be withdrawn until such time as they have correct information – and an explanation from USDA for falsified information.

However, as I checked the Federal Register this morning the false information is still in the proposed rule and it has been published.

We will be watching this very closely – Foot and Mouth Disease is one of the most devastating diseases that a country can have.

In other news we are pleased to see that North Dakota has been able to stop a proposed feedlot for the purpose of holding Canadian cull cows and bulls for scheduled slaughter in Minnesota .  We are still advocating an immediate overturn to the Over Thirty Month Rule that allows that age cattle to be imported into this country from a country that continues to have BSE problems. If we could accomplish that we probably would have no problem with Japan importing from us.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying – please write to your Senators and Congresswoman to keep diseased livestock out of this country and keep our herd safe.  Thank you.

April 12, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

The snow has almost all melted, ran down the draws and filled some dams, or almost filled some dams and some of the brandings have started – I think we’re in Spring and Summer is not far away!

Saturday night Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin was in town and invited the Stockgrowers to dinner and a meeting with her at the Holiday Inn.

She was interested in hearing our concerns on several issues such as Trade, the Anti-Trust hearings, and any other concerns we may have.

One of the first things mentioned was Brazil ’s intention of shipping beef out of one particular region in that area that is, at this time, free of foot and mouth disease.  We, of course told her we are totally opposed to any type of regionalization for the purpose of importing meat to the Unite States from a country that is not clear of Foot and Mouth disease or any of the other diseases mentioned.

We opposed that same attempt to ship meat from the Patagonia Region of Argentina and another region in Uruguay .  In 2000 an attempt was made to ship fresh beef from a particular region of Uruguay although the rest of the country was still seeing outbreaks of FMD.  A year later there was FMD reported in 18 Uruguayan states, including the one that was supposedly free of the disease.

Other areas of interest at the meeting with our Congresswoman included the Wilderness area proposed for parts of our Southwestern counties.  We explained that although exemptions can be written into a wilderness area document that would permit grazing, the same exemptions can be taken out at a later date.  We also explained that grazing probably would be allowed, but in the next year or the next or at some point the number of head allowed to grazed would be reduced.  As one Stockgrower has pointed out, when that number is reduced by 10 head or so you are basically denying the permittee number of head that is needed to meet expenses, or to try to meet expenses.  If there is a profit it has been taken away from him.  Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin listened and asked for comments that were sent to Senator Johnson’s office at an earlier date.

We also talked about the DOJ – USDA anti-trust meetings that are being held around the country this year.  The first one was held in Ankeny , Iowa . We explained that none of us were able to attend, but that we have heard very favorable reports and are excited about the fact that DOJ & USDA are doing this – actually for the first time ever.  We plan to attend the one held in Colorado in August – we hope to put a person on the panel there and also hope to take a large group with us.  I believe that one is August 26^th and if anyone wants to attend please let me know so we can begin to put together a plan.

In other news things are pretty quiet here – the magazine for Apr-May-Jun is at the publisher– you should have it in your mail box by the end of the week.  As always let me know what you like or don’t like about it – and for that matter, we operate on what you folks want us to do, so please stay in contact – give us a call, drop an email or stop in any time.

And I’m about out of time, so this is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening one more time.

April 5, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

I hope you all had a great Easter Week-end.  I know I did.  Friday was a day of vacation here at the office – we had worked some other days that were delegated days off, so we decided to close on Good Friday instead.  Hope we didn’t inconvenience anyone.

Not much to talk about here today.  Last week was a work on the magazine week – you should have it by the end of next week.

One of the subjects brought up in this issue of the Stockgrower Magazine was brought to us at this years Black Hills Stock Show by John Munsell a former small packing house owner from Miles City, Montana.

At that time John talked to us about recalls of contaminated beef and the inspection, or I should say lack of inspection in certain areas of the meat packing industry.  John has been bringing information to the public on this for several years, in fact he founded the Foundation for Accountability in Regulatory Enforcement in an effort to make some positive changes in this area.

As you will see in the Stockgrowers in the News part of the magazine is the comments that John took to Washington D.C. when he was invited to take part in a public hearing by USDA’s  Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

FSIS’s 4 basic requirements, as authorized by the Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906 are:

1.)    Mandatory inspection of livestock before slaughter

2.)    Mandatory inspection of every carcass.

3.)    Sanitary standards set for slaughterhouses and meat processing plants.

4.)    Provides for USDA inspections of slaughterhouses and meat processing plants.

The Federal Meat Inspection Act came into being partly because of a book by Upton Sinclair titled The Jungle   which was written about the Chicago meat packing industry.

President at that time, Theodore Roosevelt called for a report on Sinclair’s allegations. Shocked at what he found, wheels were immediately put in motion for regulation of the meat processing plants.

Maybe we’re finally seeing some attention to the meat packing industry of the present time with information brought forward by folks such as John Munsell.

As you will also see in this magazine Montana ’s Senator Jon Tester has introduced a bill called the “Meat Safety and Accountability Act” or simply the “Traceback Bill”

This bill makes it possible to trace contaminated meat back to the slaughterhouse of origin, also known as the big packer.  At present contamination is only traced back to the smaller, often family owned packing plants, or distributors who receive their meat from the large processor.

Thank you John Munsell and Jon Tester for taking this stand against the corporate giants

Folks, I just received word that Merton Glover passed away on Friday.  Merton was was President of the Stockgrowers from 1962 to 1963 and Chief Brand Inspector from 1986 to 1991.

Our condolences to Mabel and their children and grandchildren.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening.

March 29, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

Oh my Goodness what a beautiful day we have!  Two weeks ago you really had to look to find green grass coming, but today it’s everywhere!  I usually try to find the silver lining and last week I said the good thing about overgrazed pastures is that they are the first to look good in the Spring.

If you remember, a couple weeks ago I told you about Linda Gilbert being appointed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, or CBB.  Well I visited with Linda this morning and she will be leaving on April 7^th to travel to a 2 ½ day orientation meeting in Denver .  She also asked that anyone who had comments and/or suggestions to give her a call. We are, of course, extremely pleased with this appointment knowing that Linda is there helping represent South Dakota .  I did however find out that maybe there are a couple folks who don’t exactly share our enthusiasm – it seems Gilbert’s right in the middle of calving. – Sorry Ray and Lloyd – we get her for a couple days!

The CBB is a large part of the beef checkoff.  Among the responsibilities of the Beef Board is oversight of the $1 checkoff and certification of the State Beef Councils.  The state beef councils may retain up to 50 cents of the checkoff dollar and then sends the remainder to the Beef Board.

The Beef Board then is responsible  for approving the annual budget of all national programs which are funded by the checkoff money.

The Beef Board also is responsible in part for all contracts used for research, foreign marketing, meat promotion and etc 

Along other lines – last week was fairly quiet.  We did send out a press release in appreciation of SD Attorney General Marty Jackley’s joint effort with 15 other attorney’s general recommendations which were submitted to the USDA and the Department of Justice.

The attorneys general are recommending a study of concentration in our market system for one thing; another is stronger enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act which was inacted in 1921, but not enforced.

Another concern of the Stockgrowers and something we are watching very closely is the new animal disease traceability system.  Many of you may have seen a You Tube video put out last week by former US Secretary Johanns that suggested that the new traceability system was simply another NAIS.

We have been of the opinion that it will actually contain the 12 points brought forward by a coalition of agricultural organizations last year at a meeting in Kansas City which basically says we approve of and support disease traceability, we don’t need federal premises registrations; we do need better control at the borders.

As I said, we are watching very closely and will keep you informed as best we can.

With that I’m pushing hard this morning to get this to the radio in time so will just say Thanks for listening; have a wonderful Easter Weekend.  And don’t forget to thank Him who gave His life for us. 

March 22, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with your South Dakota Stockgrowers Tallybook.

How do you like this kind of weather?  Yesterday was just about perfect where I was – lots of folks are in full swing with calving, some are almost done and some not yet started, but for the most part I think everyone will agree that calving this year is a bit different than it was at this time last year.

Many of you attended the Farmers Union Convention here in Rapid City, last week, and many of you I’m sure had a chance to listen to US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.

In his speech he hit on several areas, but the main thrust of his talk (or at least what I heard) was on the loss of the family operations and the increase of corporate organizations.  He spoke of the necessity of a better set of rules and the need rebuild our market which we have lost due to lack of competition and an increase in concentration.  I sincerely hope this is what the administration is looking at and that they will work with us this year as we work to establish a fair market for our products.

I have visited with some of the folks who attended the first ever Department of Justice/USDA joint meeting held in Ankeny , Iowa last week.  Everyone I talked to thought it was a very productive and interesting meeting. This is one of several to be held around the nation this summer.  The one that will concentrate on beef cattle will be held in Colorado in late August.  We will be attending and are attempting to have a seat on that panel.  If anyone is interested in going please let us know here in the office. Preliminary plans are to go as a group, but we will work more on that as the time nears.

There has been a lot of talk, and in some states some action, regarding the handling of livestock, or as some would put it, the rights of the animals.  The bible says man shall have dominion over the animals, but apparently some folks who have more time and money than good sense seem to believe animals are human.  Most of these folks don’t realize, or don’t care, that livestock on our ranches actually receive the best of care. If they didn’t the ranch wouldn’t survive due to the fact that a healthy animal is key to survival of our rural economy.  Most of the abused animals we hear about are somebody’s idea of “collecting” whether it be dogs, or horses, or exotic animals, much as someone collects salt and pepper shakers or antique guns or whatever.

I came across a blog this morning from a Californian who is trying to fight the animal rightists.  As you know California has been hit hard by these folks.  Here’s what this blogger had to say is part of the problem:

1. Assuming that the lunatic fringe is the general public. We spend way too much time focusing on lunatics and not working with the public.
2. Being reactive rather than proactive.
3. Not working hard enough to build coalitions that include the public (consumers). Most of our coalition efforts are focused on bringing ag groups together. There aren´t enough of us, and we don´t represent enough votes.

I’m not sure what the answer is, but I do know there has to be a stop to these lunatics, as the Californian called them, before they have every grocery store and restaurant in the country forcing us to keep our livestock in heated rooms and making everyone a vegetarian.

For those interested the State Brand Board meeting is March 24, 10:30am CDT, 209 West Dakota Ave. Pierre , SD

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and eat beef – USA Raised Beef.

March 15, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with the SDSG Tallybook.

We have, hanging here in the Stockgrowers office, a beautiful Jon Crane numbered print called the “Silent Crossing”.  But there is more to the story.

Those of you who knew the brand inspectors that worked for the Stockgrowers knew Doug Pederson who was a brand inspector for 20 years at Winner, SD.  Doug was an especially good inspector and very loyal to the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.  When the state took over the inspection program in 2008 Doug resigned and went to work as a fieldman for Winner Livestock Auction.  He passed away in 2009.

A couple weeks ago I received a phone call from Doug’s brother Clay who lives in Colorado .  He said the family would like to do something for the Stockgrowers in memory of Doug.  So a week ago Saturday Clay and the rest of the family all met with Jim Reed , some Stockgrowers and some inspector friends of Doug here at the Office and the family presented us with this beautiful print.

Doug was featured in the Stockgrower magazine in 1995 and at that time he said he began his employment as a brand inspector in October 1988 at Winner Livestock Auction Company.  He said “ I have thoroughly enjoyed working for the S.D. Stockgrowers Association.  All of the other inspectors and office staff are just great to work with.  I feel fortunate to have this job.  My only regret is I should have started sooner.”

We here at the S.D. Stockgrowers want to thank Clay, Keo, his Mother,  and all the rest of his family for this special gift in honor of his memory.

In other news, last week US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack named his appointees to the Cattlemens Beef Promotion and Research Board better known as the Cattlemens Beef Board or CBB.  We are proud to announce that 2 of them are South Dakotans and one of them is our very own Stockgrowers member and director Linda Gilbert, Buffalo , SD.   We have sent Linda’s name in numerous times as a nominee and are happy to see that persistence pays.  Linda will be a great representative of South Dakota and an asset to the board.

The other South Dakotan appointed was Danni Beer s who most you also know as a US Cattlemen member and rancher from the Keldron area.

Many of you will be hearing this tallybook report on KBJM, Lemmon , SD and we want to thank KBJM for the Farm and Home Show that Silvia and I attended on Friday of last week.  It was a great show, extremely well attended and we thoroughly enjoyed it.  We had a Stockgrowers booth and were able to visit with lots of folks from the surrounding area – and some from far away areas also.

Today is the National Farmers Union Convention here in Rapid City .  I hope many of you are able to attend and to hear U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack who is the keynote speaker today.

With that I just want to say Thanks for listening - this is Margaret Nachtigall and we’ll see ya down the road.

March 8, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with the SDSG Tallybook.

Nine straight days of fog according to the weather report this morning and I hear the folks in the northwestern part of the state are in fog again this morning.  If the 120 days following fog holds true this may be an extremely wet June!

This has been another busy week for everyone and the staff at the Stockgrowers is no exception.

Monday evening was the 4^th of 5 classroom sessions for the Agri-tourism group.  I finally had a chance to attend the full meeting.  It was extremely interesting and the 30 members of the group were fully involved in hearing speakers on liability and insurance and then breaking out into small groups for more work.

Along that same line we were pleased to hear that the State department of Ag has introduced legislation that will give added protection to landowners who are involved in agri-tourism. Previously the protection was there for a small number of activities such as hunting and fishing, however  SB 75 protects the landowner who is in a qualified agri-tourism program. If SB 75 sounds familiar, it’s because it was previously an NAIS bill that was sent to the 41^st day.  The Dept of Ag pulled it off the table, gutted it, gave it new language and here we go with a great addition to the agri-tourism program.  This is what in South Dakota is called a “hog-housed” bill.

On Wednesday of this week Silvia and I spent most of the night baking mini cornbread beef and cheese muffins to serve the next day at the Cattlewomen sponsored “Beef Day at the Capitol.” Our muffins were well received with a lot of requests for the recipe. 

On Thursday we also met with the South Dakota Cattlewomen at their meeting in Pierre .  We thoroughly enjoyed the meeting and will be working with them on other projects and will be holding some joint meetings with them in the future.

One point I want to make this morning is on Real Estate Tax assessments that came out this past week.

Some landowners have been receiving assessments up to 70% increase from last year.  According to the new law the taxable value on a county wide basis is limited to a 10% increase.  However, this doesn’t mean an individual property is limited to a 10% assessed value, although if I had a 70% increase I would be checking in with my assessor and or township board. A county cannot pull in more tax than it did last year – again, on a county wide basis. There is a website you can go to for more information.  Go to www.sd.gov  at the top of the page click on “state agencies” then “Revenue and Regulatory” next “property tax” and finally “Property tax productivity evaluation”.  The deadline for filing an appeal is March 11 and must be done in writing.

We’re pretty excited about Silvia’s agri-tourism program and the enthusiasm we see in the participants of this class. Tonight is graduation for these folks and I would just like to say if you’re at all interested in this or even just a bit curious stop by the Stockgrowers office today about 3:30 – sit in on this last class and stick around for the graduation ceremony.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and only 12 more days til Spring – according to the calendar.

March 1, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with the SDSG Tallybook.

Yesterday at church someone said the frosted trees were beautiful – my reply was yes, but I’m getting a bit tired of this ‘white beauty’.  However, this morning I was almost late for work because I spent too much time taking pictures!  It was as if God caused the ugliest tree and the ugliest little ole weed to bloom with beautiful white blossoms – I promise to quit complaining.

Stockgrowers are working in several areas, one of which is the beef checkoff situation where the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association NCBA has formed a Governance Task Force to assist them in the restructuring of their organization, including all aspects of the checkoff.  We are working with our representatives on the SD Beef Industry Council to see that we have the current information and let them know what our thoughts are especially regarding the Federation of State Beef Councils, Cattlemen’s Beef Board and other areas of interest to SD producers.

Last week we attended the regular meeting of the Black Hills Multiple Use Coalition as it was held in Hermosa. This was a very interesting meeting regarding, mostly concerns about the Wilderness Designation on Indian Creek and other areas.  The wilderness designation has been on the back burner since 2002, but until recently was not put into an actual designation.  Jane Darnell, Forest Service Supervisor for the Nebraska National Forest and the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands was on hand to answer questions and provide information. 

Another issue we have been watching quite closely is the pressure that the Humane Society of the United States is putting on some of the state legislatures.  I just learned this morning that Ringling Bros Circus has filed a RICO ( Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) lawsuit against HSUS and some other animal rights groups.  This HSUS  is not the same humane society that takes in stray dogs and cats in our local towns.  HSUS is a national organization that does very little for stray animals, although they would like us to believe that they do.  They have been charged with bribery, fraud, obstruction of justice and money laundering.  This may put a stop to some of the ridiculous agendas that we have seen regarding the animals that we are supposed to have dominion over.  If you want to learn more about HSUS go to HumaneWatch.org

Our own lobbyist Jeremiah Murphy is of course hard at work in Pierre .  Tomorrow in the Ag and Natural Resources Committee John Cooper, former Secretary of Game Fish and Parks will be nominated for a seat on the Game Fish & Parks Commission.  We here at the Stockgrowers question the validity of that nomination.

In other news we have received a report from Bill Bullard , R-CALF USA regarding a conference call he participated in sponsored by USDA for discussion of the new animal disease traceability program.  It sounds like USDA is working to help establish a program that will improve upon the present traceability of disease and will also work for producers. I quote USDA they said they “encourage producers to be supportive of the agency’s new direction and to submit their comments and concerns to the agency. USDA is trying to make a concerted and transparent effort to develop a low-cost effective system without causing an intrusion on producers. It is up to the states and tribes as to what type of system they want to use.” This is good to hear and is a long ways from the old NAIS.  I know everyone will be watching this program as will the Stockgrowers.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying 20 more days ‘til Spring - thanks for listening. -

February 22, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with the SDSG Tallybook.

Most of you may be aware of the agritourism project that South Dakota Stockgrowers is working on and today I want to update that a bit.

As you know Silvia Christen was hired as a Development Director – her duties being membership and finding a way for the Stockgrowers to receive an income and therefore continue to operate.  Not much of a challenge – right? Well I’m glad it’s her job and not mine!

The agritourism idea actually came from Tommy Tibbets a couple years ago.  And this is what Silvia has been working on.  In her research she was introduced to Jan Jantzen,  Emporia Kansas who had developed a course that would enable ranchers to establish a agritourism program for their own operation.

Silvia immediately began work on this project and I’m happy to say she is now preparing for the third of five classes.  They meet from 3:30 until 8 or 8:30 each Monday evening beginning on February 8.

Jan Jantzen is facilitating the course and Silvia is bringing in experts from South Dakota in their respective fields to provide information for the class attendees.

Mr Jantzen has said, and I quote “The goal is for participants to be ready to start their agritourism businesses at the end of the fifth class period.  He 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 agritourism destination. This is a result-oriented workshop, not an academic exercise”.

The class prepares the participants to put together a program according to their own interests such as hunting, trail rides, overnight guests, etc.  I sat in on a couple of the meetings and it is so exciting to see the amount of enthusiasm in these classes.

Silvia’s goal of 20 participants was reached before the press release invitation was a week old.  She actually ended up with 30 participants and a waiting list for the next class.

 The course is funded by some grants that Silvia has been able to procure plus the enrollment fee, and is looking to be a great success, with more classes in the future.  So if you are interested in this type of project give her a call here at the office and she can tell you what is on the horizon.

 This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening.

February 15, 2010

Good Morning, this is Margaret Nachtigall with the SDSG Tallybook.

I don’t know about you folks, but I’m ready for winter to be over – and I’m not involved in calving like some of you are.  My drive-way and the township road adjoining it are solid ice – and I don’t have my ice skates any more.  Last year we were seeing green grass the first week in March!

This morning’s report from our lobbyist, Jeremiah Murphy, indicates that the overriding factor in Pierre this year is the budget with a deficit that may be larger than originally thought, partially due to lower sales receipts and therefore lower tax revenue.

Jeremiah also mentioned HB1153 which was a bill to revise the requirements for corporation and the state to exercise eminent domain.  He said the bill had several positive features, but also many negative features and no input from landowners.  Stockgrowers opposed this bill which was tabled.

In other business, Stockgrowers and R-CALF had another successful Black Hills StockShow.  Although according to new media the overall attendance at the stockshow was suggested as being down, our booth had strong attendance with some days being busier than others.  Baxter Badure, Belvidere again made a saddle for R-CALF to be raffled off between Stockshow time and the matched bronc ride in Pierre the first week-end in June. Hundreds of tickets were sold and at the same time scores of folks stopped pay their annual dues to both organizations.

Several Stockgrower members met at Senator Johnson’s office with Darrel Schumacher, Chris Blair , Rapid City and with Matt Thornblad, Senator Johnson’s staffer from Washington DC on video conference regarding the Senator’s plan to introduce legislation designating part of the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands as Wilderness area.

We have previously registered out opposition to this designation both by phone and by letter, to the Senator’s DC office and recently signed onto a letter by the Black Hills Regional Multiple Use Coalition opposing a wilderness designation.

We have attempted to point out the fact that these grasslands are in the good condition that they now show because of human and domestic animal occupation not in spite of it.  These grasslands have been protected and nurtured by the livestock owners and permitees and other users of the land since the early 1930’s and the beginning of the Soil Conservation Service.  The reason these grasslands are now called “pristine” is because of the care by the people who used them, not because humans were kept out.  To designate this as a Wilderness area will be a move to return it to it’s previous uncared for condition.  The Wilderness Act describes wilderness as: A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.

If man does not remain in this area we will soon see prairie dog towns and Russian Thistle.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening.

February 8, 2010

Good Morning this is Margaret Nachtigall with SDSG Tallybook, and what can I say – it’s still winter.

Got home from the Stock Show late yesterday afternoon to find another 3 or 4 inches of snow and got up this morning to blowing snow.

Speaking of the stock show – it was a very successful event for SDSG and R-CALF.  We got the chance to visit with many, many of you folks.  Lots of people renewed their memberships and we don’t have a count yet, but we went through scores of raffle tickets for the saddle that Baxter Badure always builds for us this time of year.

This is really a good news day – Silvia had hoped for at least 20 participants for the agri-tourism workshop which begins today.  One week after the press release had gone out she had 25 registered participants and by mid-week last week she had to close registrations as they reached 28.  There is definitely a lot of excitement about this program.

The other good news, which many of you have already heard, is that US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has scrapped NAIS and will work on a new disease traceability program which will be administrated by the States and Tribal Nations.

Secretary Vilsack said “After concluding our listening tour on the National Animal Identification System in 15 cities across the country, receiving thousands of comments from the public and input from States, Tribal Nations, industry groups, and representatives for small and organic farmers, it is apparent that a new strategy for animal disease traceability is needed. He said I’ve decided to revise the prior policy and offer a new approach with changes that respond directly to the feedback we heard.”

One comment that I found especially interesting is that steps will be taken to lessen the risk from disease posed by imported animals.  We have long said we need to look at our borders for much of the disease in this country.  It was also noted that the program will apply only to interstate commerce, which in South Dakota  is covered by health certificates, and at least partially by brand.  The means of identification will be left up to the states.

According to information from USDA the program will focus on animal health –where diseased ones are – what other animals they may have been in contact with and is not a food safety program.

We here at the South Dakota Stockgrowers are extremely happy at this good news.  Of course we will keep our ear to the ground, but this gives us the chance we have been working for to be able to work with our state agencies in an effort to bring a program that will be beneficial to all parts of our industry.

You may find more information at the USDA Website, - you will find an extensive list of questions and answers, or call this office for more direction.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks to all of you who have worked so hard to put NAIS to rest.

January 18, 2010

Good Morning this is Margaret Nachtigall with SDSG Tallybook.

What a difference a week makes – last week we were more than knee deep in snow – and that wasn’t the drifts -  but this week it’s not quite that deep, the drifts are beginning to melt and the weather has been beautiful!

Even though most Stockgrower meetings were snowed out last week several of us attended the Harding County Stockgrowers meeting in Buffalo on Friday.  A South Dakota Stockgrower panel including Linda Gilbert, Larry Nelson and Shane Kolb brought forth several issues that are of concern and importance to Stockgrower members.  Subjects of interest included the Clean Water Restoration Act which would place all water under the control of the federal government.  At present only “navigable” waters are in that category.  Also discussed was the Power River Basin Training area which is an Air Force Training area from Ellsworth Air Force Base extending over parts of South Dakota , Wyoming and Montana . Larry brought out the fact that many of the ranchers in that area use airplanes to check their pastures and that the plan presented would in fact be a danger to these pilots.  He also questioned the plan of dropping “chaff” in the training area and what it would do to the pastures and livestock.  Another subject discussed was in the realm of livestock marketing. Shane discussed the need for competition in the market and the need for enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act which was implemented in 1921, but never enforced.

Linda also explained to the audience the need to become active in local organizations.  She advised that we can no longer ignore what’s happening in the world around us, but instead we must stand up for our industry.  An industry that is becoming smaller and smaller and requires more and more input from those of us who hope to keep our ranches and rural economy viable.  She stated “I’m not saying you have to belong to any particular organization – just belong to an organization of your choice for the sake of our industry so your voice can be heard.”

Last Wednesday, Silvia, Bill Kluck and Craig Shaver manned a booth and met with folks at the Vale Ag Fair in Vale, SD.

Stockgrowers were on hand again for the annual Ranchers Workshop which this year was held at Mission , SD with Directors Bob Fortune and Chris Harvey taking care of the booth.

I believe the old saying “it never rains, but what it pours” surely holds true for the Stockgrowers attending meetings this time of year.  On the 25^th some of us will be traveling to Pierre to take part in the annual Ag Fest at the Ramkota.  This is a one evening event with each organization having a booth and a chance to visit with legislators and other ag organizations prior to this year’s legislative session.

Then on the 26^th some of the Stockgrowers will be attending the Perkins County Livestock Association where South Dakota Stockgrowers will again conduct a panel discussion of various subjects of interest to the ranching community.

Last, but certainly not least is the R-CALF USA National Convention held right here in Rapid City at the Ramkota on January 22, and 23^rd.  You will again have a chance to hear J Dudley Butler, Administrator of GIPSA and a promoter of the Packers and Stockyards Act.  If you missed him at the Stockgrowers annual in September, make a special effort to attend this meeting.  He certainly speaks for those of us out here on the land.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and help us help you by keeping those memberships coming in.  Thanks a bunch.

January 11, 2010

 Good Morning this is Margaret Nachtigall with SDSG Tallybook.

 Well, needless to say, none of us were able to attend the meetings scheduled for East River and Bison that I talked about last week thanks to the 6^th road-blocking blizzard in 13 months.

The meetings with legislators in the East River area have been cancelled, but the Perkins County Livestock Association Meeting has been rescheduled. I don’t have the new dates yet, but I know it will be at Bison and the Stockgrowers will have a panel discussion as previously planned.

 Another meeting coming soon is the Harding County Stockgrowers Meeting.  The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association will also have a panel at this meeting which is scheduled for January 15 at Buffalo , SD

 Stockgrowers today will be sending letters to our congressional delegates to ask them to contact US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack regarding the Over Thirty Month ()TM) Rule which allows the US to import cattle from Canada that are older cattle and therefore more apt to carry BSE.

 We have reminded them that the federal district court remanded the OTM rule back to USDA, and USDA can now rescind that rule. Secretary Vilsack is apparently of the opinion that the BSE risk to the US is the same as Canada since the World Organization for Animal Health has designated both Canada and US as “controlled risk” countries.  We know this is not accurate information since Canada has had numerous cases of BSE since implementing their feed ban, and because of the OTM rule we now are in a position to receive those potentially diseased cows.

 Also, USDA’s risk modeling prior to implementing the OTM rule states that the United States will produce 2 to 75 BSE infections in US-born cattle over a 20 year period.  We don’t need to continue this over a 20 year period – we need to stop this potential BSE introduction now by USDA rescinding the Over Thirty Month Rule – now.

 We believe it is the duty of the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Animal Health Protection Act to prevent the introduction animal disease into the United States and we also believe the importation of these potentially diseased animals is a direct threat to our national herd and to the citizens of this country.

 In other areas of interest the Stockgrowers are looking toward this legislative session which begins in Pierre tomorrow.  We will be meeting with several legislators on the 25^th of January as we take part in the Ag-Fest at the Ramkota in Pierre , and we will also be hosting legislators at our annual Legislative mixer on the evening of February 9^th in Pierre .

 We will keep you informed on Stockgrowers legislative concerns as they come forward.

 This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and hope to see you in Buffalo , Bison or Pierre .

January 4, 2010

Good Morning this is Margaret Nachtigall with the more marks for the SDSG Tallybook

 Well, I hope everyone has been able to get together with their families for Christmas by this time, I think we celebrated the 12 days of Christmas trying to get everyone together.

 This week is going to be a busy one for many of the Stockgrowers board and staff.

 On January 7 Silvia will be traveling to Bison for the Perkins County Livestock Meeting where she and others will be working on membership business.  At the same meeting Vice President Shane Kolb , Director Linda Gilbert, member Dave Niemi and immediate past president Larry Nelson will be seated as a panel to discuss and answer questions regarding the many areas of interest for farmers and ranchers.  Areas of interest that Stockgrowers can be involved in and can work with them on, whether it’s in the state legislature, US Congress or where ever.  Perkins County folks always put on a great meeting so if you are anywhere near there I would sure plan to attend.

 At the same time President Kenny Fox, Director Bob Fortune , and I will be traveling East River to meet with legislators in an effort to acquaint ourselves with them, let them know who we are, what we stand for and to learn what their issues and concerns are.  We’ll be meeting in Aberdeen at the Pizza Hut at 11:00 am on Wednesday 6^th and the Waverly Steak House in Waverly at 7:00pm the same day. Then on Thursday we travel to Brandon where we meet at the Pizza Hut at 11:00 am. At 7:00 that evening we meet at Al’s Oasis in Oacoma.  We invite anyone who hears this message to join us at any of these meetings.  We have done this for several years and find that it is a good way to get to know the legislators prior to a busy legislative session. (Note: for those of you who heard me give these dates last week, I misquoted the dates – Jan 6 & 7 are the correct dates – sorry if I confused anyone)

 We will also be filing comments with USDA’s Ag Marketing Service; the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) regarding the plan put forth by the NCBA Governance Task Force.  We certainly have no problem with any entity working in an effort to strengthen and improve their organization;  however, we have some serious concerns about the Task Force’s proposal to restructure their organization in a way that would reduce the input from any group not strongly tied to NCBA. 

 It is apparent that some of the proposed changes will in fact reduce the true grassroots input and will move control away from the Federation of Beef Councils which is one of the most important parts of the system that controls the use of our check-off dollars, so we will definitely get our comments sent in and if anyone has any input please give us a call here at the Stockgrower office.

 This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and hope to see you at some of these meetings.

December 28, 2009  

Good morning/afternoon.  This is Margaret Nachtigall with the latest edition of the SDSGA Tallybook. 

 Is this De-ja-vu or what?  These blizzardy storms are getting to be a bit of a habit.  I know many of you spent a Christmas at home that had been intended to be over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house.  Yep, that’s what happened with our family.

Actually I was feeling a bit sorry for myself until the evening news showed the folks who only had the mission to go to.  I tend to forget how blessed I really am and how thankful I need to be.

 I’m hoping this blizzard didn’t take as heavy a toll on livestock as the one last November, although I really haven’t talked to enough folks to know what has happened around the area.

 And, as for what’s happening with the Stockgrowers – January is shaping up to be a really busy time.

 On the 7^th and 8^th, a carload of us will be traveling to the Eastern part of the state, as we do every year to meet with legislators prior to the 2010 session which starts the 12^th.

We’ll be meeting in Aberdeen , Waverly, Brandon and Oacoma.  These meetings are intended, not as lobbying, but rather a chance to meet legislators prior to the session and let them know who we are and basically what we stand for and to give them a chance to ask any questions they may have.

 On January 7, we have another group who will be conducting a panel discussion at the 2010 Perkins County Livestock Association Meeting. Again, this gives folks a chance to ask questions, discuss their needs and let the Stockgrowers know what we need to plan for the future.

 Then on the 15^th of January some of us will be attending the Harding County Stockgrowers Annual meeting.  This is always a fun and interesting meeting that we look forward to.  And we will again have a booth at the Rancher’s workshop which this year is being held in Mission on January 13.

 Silvia has some tentative dates set for the beginning meetings of the Stockgrower’s Tourism plan and I’ll have more on that for you at a later date.

 Mark your calendars for January 22^nd and 23^rd for the R-CALF annual convention held again this year in Rapid City at the Ramkota Inn.

 Then we have the Black Hills Stock Show that begins the 29^th of January and runs through the 7^th of February – no wonder time seems to go so fast!!

 Well, this kind of gives you an idea of where we will be and what we’ll be doing for the next few weeks.  As always, please stop in when you’re in town and/or drop us an email or phone call if you have questions or suggestions.

 Until next Monday, this is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening.

December 21, 2009

Good Morning this is Margaret Nachtigall bringing you the latest additions to the SDSG Tallybook.

And this morning I’m mighty happy to say Welcome to a new station KBJM 1400 in Lemmon , SD.   I’d like to thank Mike Switzer and Dennis Drayton for making this possible.  We are glad to have a chance to visit with all the folks in the KBJM listening area and please, if you have comments in any direction regarding tallybook just give us a call here at the South Dakota Stockgrowers office in Rapid City or on our Website.

We have a couple really nice days and now we have fog – big time.  Coming to work this morning was approximately ½ to l mile

Usually at this time of year we start remembering what the past year has been, what we have done, what we should have done etc.

Stockgrowers as an organization is no different.  One of the things on that list was a series of listening sessions conducted by USDA regarding the National Animal Identification System, better known as NAIS.  One of the sessions was actually held here in Rapid City with the largest attendance of any of the 16 sessions.  It was also one of the most orderly – no yelling, screaming, carrying-on that occurred at some of the other sessions.  Everyone that wanted to testify here had the chance to do so.  The outcome of all the sessions including the on in South Dakota resulted in 90% opposed to NAIS.  I think we actually got the attention of our federal government since USDA’s funding for NAIS has been cut from $14 million to $5 million, and because as of this date US Sec of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is still sitting on the decision to move ahead with NAIS. 

Another good happening this past year has been the Stockgrowers decision to hire Silvia Cristen as our Development Director in an effort to find a source of income which will enable the Stockgrowers to continue in their work towards the profitability and viability of farmers and ranchers and our rural economy.  Silvia is moving in a steady line with the potential of establishing a agritourism business which will not only provide added income for ranchers, but will especially provide a means of education to our urban cousins.  We will be able to give them hands on experience of caring for livestock, caring for the land and showing them that we ARE stewards of the land – that we do care for our livestock.  This looks to be a win-win situation.

We also were able to get Country of Origin Labeling implemented this past year.  This has been a long hard battle which is not really over yet, but has lots of promise.  We still need some stronger rules when it comes to the actual labeling, but that can all come in the future.

The Stockgrowers has a very successful annual convention in September.  We had several excellent speakers – I would hate to try to say who was the best – each had his or her own subject and all were very professional.  Our keynote speaker the night of the banquet was J Dudley Butler who is the new administrator of the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration, Washington , D.C. One of the things I believer we all remember him saying was that his orders are to enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act - something that has not been done in the past.  He was emphatic about the fact that he will need the support of every grassroots person on the land because those who have been benefiting from the lack of enforcement will put up a monumental fight.

These are just a very few of the things that we have helped accomplish in this past year – there are more and maybe I can get into that next time.  The thing we need to remember is that each and every one of us has a say in what goes on in our business and it is our responsibility to stand up and be heard.

I think I’m running out of time, so until next Monday this is Margaret N saying Thanks for listening.

12-14-09

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall bringing you the latest additions to the SDSG Tallybook.

 Well we have cold and we have snow, but nothing like the cow-killing blizzard we had in November a year ago, so I guess that is something to be thankful for.  Speaking of which, I understand that, at least in Pennington County , most of the Livestock Indemnity Program payments have been made to those who lost livestock in last year’s storms.

 I had planned to attend the Ag Unity meeting today in Huron, but since Silvia had to be in Brookings this week-end she agreed to take in the meeting in Huron on her way back.  Also one of the directors Joan Wollschlager is planning to attend.  Ag Unity’s agenda looked to be full and interesting as we all begin to look towards the new year and new legislative session.

 Last week we filed comments with USDA regarding APHIS’s proposed changes in the federal Bovine Tuberculosis and Brucellosis programs.  Part of the changes we agreed with such as increased import standards to reduce the number of untested cattle imported from Mexico, “enhanced efforts to mitigate disease transmission from wildlife”, and research and development of new vaccines.

 We did oppose the proposed plan to reduce testing including slaughter house testing in the United States .  We also opposed the plan to work with “zones” instead of states – we feel this is moving from state control to federal control – a move we strongly object to.  We also get major heartburn when they mention “modernizing the regulatory framework” in an effort to make it easier for APHIS to make changes as needed.  We believe this may lead to changes that affect us, but that we may be unaware of.

 Both Bangs and TB have been almost entirely eradicated in the United States under a program that was implemented in the early 1900’s.  However, we are still importing cattle carrying both of these diseases from Mexico and are still having disease reintroduced from the wildlife, mainly elk and bison, and from cattle imported from Canada where they also have a huge problem with the wildlife.

 One thing I would like to mention about comments is the fact that anyone can and should file comments any time there is a notification in the US Federal Register regarding changes that can affect your bottom line.  You can also go on line and read comments that have been filed by others.  The reason I bring this up is that in this particular case most of the comments filed were by individuals who wanted the cattle off the land – especially in the Yellowstone area – and wanted the bison able to roam free – no fences.

 By now everyone should have received their 4^th quarter Stockgrower Magazine – if you have and you haven’t read all the way through, be sure to turn to page 23 and take a look at the Christmas gift page.  Then give us a call here at 877-529-2333.

 This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening, and I hope you are more ready for Christmas than I am!

 This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening!

December 7, 2009

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall bringing you the latest additions to the SDSG Tallybook.

Last Monday and Tuesday most of the Stockgrowers Board of Directors, staff and some members were in Pierre attending the December Quarterly.  We had a little different agenda this time.  Monday’s meeting consisted of a full day of planning and organizing conducted by Stockgrowers’ new Development Director, Silvia Christen.  Silvia led us through several different and interesting exercises.  This was a new type of meeting for many of our members, but everyone I talked to afterwards were impressed with the amount of information that we pulled together that day.

One of the topics we worked on was a list of the positive work SDSGA has done this past year coupled with a list improvements that can make Stockgrowers a better organization.  This was an excellent way for each of us to begin thinking about our own responsibility to the organization.

We also put together a list of issues that the board believes need our attention in 2010 which will be prioritized at later meetings.

The regular SD Stockgrowers quarterly business meeting was held on Tuesday and was followed by a small NAIS meeting in the afternoon.

South Dakota Stockgrowers will be busy for the next few months as indicated by the list of events and happenings that we plan to take part in.  For instance: Tentative meetings in Bison, Martin and Kadoka in January; the regular legislative East River tour also in January; the Rancher’s Workshop in Mission ; the Valentine Bull Bash in Valentine, Neb. in February. These are just a few of the events planned for the first couple months in 2010.

The Stockgrowers along with R-CALF will again be tending a booth at the Black Hills Stock Show.  Some of our members will be manning booths at the Watertown Farm Show in February, the KBJM Farm and Home Show in Lemmon in March and the Bison Livestock Show in Bison in January.

Last Thursday I represented the Stockgrowers at a luncheon to hear Dr Barry Dunn who is one of the candidates for the next Dean of Agriculture at SDSU.  This week on Wednesday I again will attend to hear candidate Dr Ken Odde.  I believe we have some topnotch candidates for this position and also believe whichever candidate is chosen we can have a good working relationship with him.

I will be representing the Stockgrowers at the SD Ellsworth Development Authority which will be held on Tuesday at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Rapid City .  This meeting is to address “incompatible” development around Ellsworth.

These are just a few of the events we will be attending in 2010. As you can see Stockgrower members and Board of Directors will be busy this year, however, any time you have concerns or questions, or suggestions please feel free to call, email, or better yet stop by for a cup of coffee and a chance to visit.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening!

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall bringing you information from the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.
We start today’s tallybook off with sadness – Kathy Kolb, wife of our Vice President Shane Kolb passed away last week following a terrific battle with cancer. The attitude and spiritual strength that Kathy showed for the full duration of her battle was absolutely amazing. Kathy’s funeral is Thursday Nov 19, 1:00 PM at the Bison School Gymnasium. Other information is available at Evanson-JensenFuneralHome.com. 

We learned today that the Department of Justice-USDA joint workshops, that we have been promised, have been set throughout the country. Five subjects will be covered – a different one at each workshop. The first one is March 12, 2010 at Ankeny, Iowa and involves issues for crop farmers. May 21st is basically for the poultry industry and will be held at Normal, Alabama. The Dairy Industry workshop will be June 7 at Madison, Wisconsin; and the Livestock Industry workshop which may include enforcement of the Packer and Stockyards act and concentration will be held at Fort Collins, Colo. on August 26, 2010. The 5th workshop addresses discrepancies between prices received by farmers and prices paid by consumers and will be held December 8, 2010 in Washington, D.C. According to information received “Each workshop may feature keynote speakers, general expert panels, and break-out panels. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments. Stockgrowers will be issuing written comments prior to attending a workshop.

Next Monday the Stockgrowers finance committee will meet to look at the present financial conditions. On November 30, the quarterly meeting, which will be held at the King’s Inn in Pierre, will be dedicated to working on Stockgrower  goals, objectives, reviewing our mission statement and vision statement as well as beginning the process of setting a business plan for the organization.

The meeting will be conducted by Silvia Christen who is the Stockgrowers new Development Director. Silvia and Sherri have been putting in a lot of hard work lately on the membership program and I’m happy to report that we are receiving membership dues daily with many of them being previously expired members. 
Silvia also has been meeting with several different organizations as she works towards a new program to add to the Stockgrowers income. Silvia was hired when we realized any program we put into affect needs the complete attention of a full time employee and she certainly is doing the job.

I certainly would be remiss today if I didn’t again mention the devastating E-Coli ground meat recalls. I’ve been reading an interesting blog authored by Dr James Marsden who is a senior science advisor for the North American Meat Processors Association and an associate director of the Biosecurity Research Institute at Kansas State University. I guess I haven’t heard too much good about HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points), but I was a bit surprised to read Dr Marsden’s comment “I don’t believe that HACCP as it exists today was what the National Academy of Sciences had in mind in 1985”. 
HACCP was actually developed in the 1960’s for the production of in flight food for NASA.

It was designed to be a systematic method of detecting physical, chemical and biological hazards in the production line of any product, and was, I believe , adopted by USDA in 1985 for use in among other things, our meat supplies.
HACCP has not worked well in that area since that time, and many have called for a HACCP or other program that would effectively work to prevent such contaminations as E-Coli in our ground beef.

I tend to agree with a blogger who said the National School Lunch Program, which is an extension of HACCP should be followed by all ground beef programs. In the NSLP, 2 positive tests in a month puts the supplier completely out of that program. To my knowledge there has never been an E-Coli problem in the school lunch program. If it’s possible to provide uncontaminated ground beef for one program it’s possible to provide it for all programs – is it not?

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening.

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall bringing you information from the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

We had a taste of winter and now it seems we’re back to early fall – isn’t it great to live in a part of the country where we’re not bored by the weather?

I don’t know how many of you catch Good Morning America on TV – I usually hear it while I’m getting ready for work. This morning was interesting as they interviewed a person from USDA regarding the recent hamburger E-Coli contaminations. I was especially interested as quite often these interviews come to rest on the producer. That wasn’t the case this morning – USDA was in the hot seat and the point of contamination was at the packing houses. Of course, the answers were as one might expect – according to the USDA spokesman and Patrick Boyle, everything possible is being done to provide safe food. I’m glad this puts the point of contamination right where it is, however this certainly doesn’t do much to promote beef. I believe this is part of the reason we are seeing so much positive emphasis on local food suppliers, and rightly so.

In a not to distantly related issue, SDSGA has signed onto a letter with many other organizations in reply to USDA’s notice of intent to amend its BSE regulations regarding beef and beef products. The notice states that “country classification and commodity import would be closely aligned with those of the World Organization of Animal Health”
We are concerned with USDA’s plan to align with an organization whose BSE standards have proven to be basically ineffective. As I understand it, if we go with the World Organization of Animal Health policy in country classification and commodity import that leave our borders open and in effect relieve USDA of its responsibility of protecting the livestock and citizens of the United States.

We are requesting that our policy not be along those guidelines, but instead be brought back to those which are more closely in line with the majority of our trading partners and to our own past standards. We must act according to the needs of our consumers and that means setting policy that is of sound science and sound economics and does not place higher regard on our foreign trade than it does to the health of our national herd and our United States citizens. 

In other areas, most members and directors alike have been extremely busy with fall work, and even more so now that the weather has cooperated for a few days. However, Silvia is busy as can be with her preparations for our quarterly meeting in Pierre on Nov 30 and Dec 1 where the entire board will be doing some strategic planning and preparing to set goals and objectives for our proposed fund raising endeavors.

On that note, mark your calendars for November 30, and December 1, at the Kings Inn in Pierre, SD.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening.

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall bringing you information from the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

Wouldn’t it be nice to just take care of the cows; feed ‘em, calve ‘em, work ‘em no more often than needed, ride on ‘em when necessary; and forget about local, federal and global issues that constantly invade our workplace – the ranch. That being said, I doubt it will happen in the near future. However, I did just receive word that the United States blocked Canada and Mexico’s first request for a WTO panel examination of Country of Origin Labeling.

As I understand, according to WTO rules we can block the first request but the second will probably be made at the WTO’s dispute settlement body on November 19th. And I don’t believe we can block that one.

If you remember last week I talked about these two neighboring countries filing a complaint with the WTO in which they blamed the United States and COOL for damaging the trade with these countries. And hopefully you remember that according USDA’s U.S. trade statistics database the United States buys over $1billion worth of beef and product from Canada and Mexico than it sells to them. In other words we have a $1 billion dollar agricultural trade deficit with these 2 countries.

Personally, I don’t see how they can have any kind of grounds for filing a request for examination of our labeling rules, I don’t believe we are actually blocking any kind of trade; all we’re doing is allowing producers to differentiate their products and allowing the consumer to have a choice at the retail level. I think it’s called taking pride in your product and protecting your family. It’s what the United States of America is all about.

I also want to take a minute today to ask you all to count your blessings and to say a prayer for the Kolb family. As you know Shane is our South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Vice-President. Shane’s wife Kathy was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this summer and has since been taking treatments. However, the doctors are now reporting that the cancer is no longer responding to treatment. Kathy is in the Hettinger West River Medical Center, Hettinger ND Hospital. 

As I said, please count your blessings – yes, cattle prices are in the hole, grasshoppers ate everything in sight, some of us didn’t get out of the drought, the new bull broke his leg, 
expenses are up, income is down, the wife lost her job in town; but if you have your health and that of your family – count your blessings.

In the meantime please take a minute to ask God for strength comfort for the Shane, Kathy, Justin, and Wil Kolb. BTW Kathy has a journal on www.caringbridge.org.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening.

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall one more time, bringing you information from the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association.

Well, we finally came out of the freezer and went from cold to hot. I helped my son and several other folks gather cattle in the limestone area Northwest of Custer this week-end. Lots of frost in the morning, but those ole cows and heavy calves sure felt the heat as the day wore on.

It’s always fun to get out of the office and horseback behind a bunch of cows – (well, for the first couple hours anyway, somehow it doesn’t take long to become work.)

Many of us were born into this lifestyle, but we’re not forced to stay. We stay because it’s what we want to do – it’s the kind of life we want for our kids. It’s the right to make our own decisions – be our own bosses. It’s the kind of life where the work and the fun often come with the same chore. It’s where neighbors help neighbors – it’s a social time as well as a work time.

It was all of that this week-end where I was and I’m sure it was the same for all of you.

The downside of it all right now is cattle prices – should we have sold early, should we wait ‘til later, should we make yearlings out of them, - and there doesn’t seem to be an answer. Of course that’s the question most years, but this year when the national herd is lower than it has been for over 50 years shouldn’t the supply and demand rule make for higher priced cattle now?

You may be hearing that MCOOL will cause us to lose our markets with Canada and Mexico and that COOL will do more harm than good. Well, the next time someone tells you that, you may want to let them know that according USDA’s U.S. trade statistics database the United States buys more than $1billion worth of live cattle, beef, and beef products from Canada and Mexico than it sells to them. In other words what would our domestic cattle prices look like if COOL brought that $billion back home?

Now if you know someone who believes COOL is harmful to the US cattle industry maybe you can also sell them some ocean front property in the Bad Lands.

The light at the end of the tunnel may be the word we received at the Stockgrowers Annual Convention from the new administrator of the Packers and Stockyards administration, J. Dudley Butler.

Mr Butler told us that the Packers and Stockyards Act WILL be enforced. He also said that he will need the support of all of us because when the enforcement puts the pressure on the entities that have received benefits from our losses there will be lawsuits from them against the PS&A He says when that happens his office needs our support bring the facts forward.

I don’t know how much this is going to help us, but I don’t believe we have any alternatives. I believe I know you folks well enough to know that we will not stand by and allow industrial agriculture to rule this land.

As I said we live this life because it’s what we believe in.

That being said, I have one more thing to tell you all. I was advised today that we no longer have a sponsor for the Tallybook and KBHB is making some timing changes, so I’m sad to say I’ll no longer be visiting over the air with those of you who hear me on KBHB. This is Margaret Nachtigall saying goodbye and thanks for listening.

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall bringing you the latest news and views from the SDSG Tally book.

If you recall, last Monday several of us had a chance to meet and ask questions of the US Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack and Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin.

Since South Dakota Stockgrower members was able to ask only one question, we have written a letter to Secretary Vilsack and our Congresswoman with further questions.

NAIS: We again stated that it is simply impossible for producers to comply with the requirements of 24 hr reporting, premises registration and others demands as listed in USDA’s Users Guide and Business Plan. We requested total disposal of NAIS as we know it today. Not being totally ignorant to the fact that there is some need for ability to trace animal disease, we would agree to a new plan brought forward IF all stakeholders in the food chain be at the table. This, of course, would include seedstock producers and cow/calf producers.

Our second item was MCOOL. We strongly urged USDA to prohibit the practice of using foreign beef in inventories of USA beef. This creates a false and misleading impression of our domestic production from a herd that is the smallest in over 50 years. It also drives our domestic live cattle prices to unwarranted lows. We also want to close the loop-hole that allows meat processors to apply a combination origin label with the inclusion of just one part of any day’s processing from a different country. In other words, just one animal from Canada included in one day’s processing allows the processor to label it as USA/Can. The original intent and purpose of COOL was to allow the producer to differentiate their product as born, raised and processed in the United States and to give the families who purchase that meat the satisfaction of knowing it is produced domestically.

One of the questions we did not get a chance to ask is, “What steps will the USDA take to see to it that family farmers and ranchers have access to competitive market for their cattle, hogs, sheep and milk?” We believe the Captive Supply Reform Act as introduced last year, and the ban on packer ownership of cattle are necessary for the survival of grassroots producers.

We also explained that we firmly believe our first line of defense regarding the health of our national livestock herds, as well as our own health, is at our borders. We believe the over 30 month rule (OTM) should be firmly in place, and enforced, until such time as Canada has been able to control BSE in their herd.

These were just 4 of the concerns that South Dakota Stockgrower members wanted to bring to the meeting.

We will continue to work with our national delegates and fight for what is right for the profitability and viability of our rural livelihoods.

This is Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening and don’t forget to call or email to let us know what your thoughts and ideas are. We work for you. margaret.sdsga@midconetwork.com 605-342-0429

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall with another entry for the SDSGA Tally book.

My sister-in-law asked me yesterday if everything except the mortgage had blown from her place to mine. I know if the leaves had had a little more color to them the trees would be bare. But it’s fall in South Dakota and a beautiful time of year.

I want to let everyone know that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack along with Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin will be in the state next Monday, October 5^th.

for a Rural Issues Forum at the Jim and Barbara Hundstad’s farm near Bath, SD located 4.5 miles south of Hwy 12 on Brown County hiway 16.

Anyone who would like to go, please call here at the Stockgrowers Office – we will be arranging rides to accommodate as many as possible.

I also wanted to talk a bit about a couple new resolutions set at the annual membership meeting the first part of Sept.

The first is Legislative Oversight of Gubernatorial Appointments: a resolution set for the benefit of preserving the separation of powers, those being legislative, executive and judicial.

This resolution asks the legislature to enact a law requiring legislative approval of all executive board and commission appointments.

Another is Grasshopper Reduction Program:

This states that the SDSGA believes it is cost prohibitive for producers in western South Dakota to pay $6 to $8 per acre for reducing grasshopper populations, and therefore is asking the state and federal governments to help find grant moneys for cost sharing the grasshopper reduction programs on private land in an attempt to keep the cost closer to $1.00/acre, which would be more in line with other states.

We also set a Cap and Trade Resolution saying we endorse a policy of delaying any Cap and Trade legislation until such time as certain concerns can be address and the full environmental, economic, and social impact is known.

Some the concerns were impact of cap and trade legislation on farmers and ranchers such as raised costs of input, energy, whether climate change is a result of manmade global warming or rather natural heating and cooling cycles which have existed forever.

The 4th and last resolution regards the Rangeland Insurance Program in which SDSGA encourages the current Rangeland Insurance Program to provide a program that is cost effective and helps SD producers. There is a lot more to this one which I will go into at a later date.

For now I’ll just say this MN saying thanks for listening to the SDSGA Tallybook.

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall with another entry for the SDSGA Tally book.

The 2009 Stockgrowers Convention is history – I want to thank all you folks who helped make this a great convention. Whether you donated items for the live auction, slaves for the slave auction, sponsored some meals, spoke at the committee meetings and/or meals times, or none of the above, but was there to hear the speakers and take part in the meetings, you are all the necessary ingredients that make up a successful convention – Again we thank each and every one of you.

For those of you who were unable to attend, I’d like to give a few highlights today.

The convention actually kicked off at 6:30 on Wednesday evening when the Stockgrowers hosted the past presidents of this organization and the cattlewomen’s organization. This is always a time to renew old acquaintances and of course make new ones, so we seldom have a program, and just enjoy a quiet evening of good conversation. and several people told me how much they enjoyed her presentation and how awed they were at her abilities.

We also tapped the Northwest for a couple other speakers: Namely, Pastor Jean Helmer, who was the Inspirational Breakfast speaker on Friday, and our new past president, Larry Nelson.

Pastor Jean gave an excellent presentation that was both entertaining and inspirational and used visual aids that eventually spelled STOCKGROWER demonstrating the need for balance in all areas of our lives.

Larry Nelson, who at that time was still President of the SDSGA gave a very resounding presentation on the needs of the ranching, and rural American communities. He explained that the poultry industry has lost its independent poultry farms; the independent hog farmers are almost in the same position and that those of us in the cattle business are standing right now at the brink of the same loss of our industry to large multinational conglomerates.

Our Friday night keynote speaker was J. Dudley Butler, Administrator of GIPSA , Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration, Washington, DC. He said USDA and the Justice Department have put together a task force and will be traveling throughout the country with a series of meetings to hear from the folks on the farms and ranches and rural communities.

I have never heard a more honest or emphatic or determined goal from anyone in his position. He said he will need help from all of us – that the pressure that will be brought upon him and his crew will be tremendous and that he will need comments and help from every one of us.

We ended the evening with a fun filled and profitable Live Auction with items donated by many members and local businesses.

I wish I could tell you about every one of the speakers that we heard – hopefully you were there, if not, call if you have questions or need information on any part of the convention.

Good Afternoon – this is Margaret Nachtigall with another entry for the SDSGA Tally book.

Just 10 more days until the 2009 South Dakota Stockgrowers Annual Convention and we’re a buzz of activity here in the office – I can’t believe the amount of work and planning that goes into a convention like this and then in a few short days it’s all over with.

I brought information to you last week about a couple of our speakers, and today I’ll be talking about a few more of them.

We’re proud to bring to you as our Friday night dinner speaker from Washington D.C, Mr. J. Dudley Butler the new administrator of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. Mr Butler is an attorney and is also a certified mediator and arbitrator. He has been involved in cattle, timber and farming operations and helped bring about the Mandatory Price Reporting law in Congress that South Dakota fought so hard for at the state level. Mr Butler has also been very actively involved in protecting family farms and rural America in property rights issues.

Mrs Butler will be traveling with her husband and the two of them will be spending the weekend following the convention getting acquainted with rural South Dakota.

One of our members introduced me to Dwight & JoAnn Edstrom, members of Rapid City’s Toastmaster Club.

And they will be demonstrating a ‘model meeting’ at the Freedom Lunch on Thursday the 10^{th. I’m pretty excited about this – they’ll bring with them approximately 10 people who will hold a mock meeting. This is a little different from our regular speaker line-up and should be very interesting.}

Following the demonstration we will be holding an ice-cream social with ice-cream donated by SDSU and a different topping available at each vendor booth. We’ve been doing this each year and it has proven to be great fun and we do see some really original looking sundaes!

Another fun thing we do is a silent auction. Each vendor brings a silent auction item of their choice which is displayed at their booth along with a bid sheet. The lucky bidders will be announced on Friday following lunch.

And of course we are planning to repeat last year’s slave auction idea which helped us pay for our lobbyist and

provided the buyers of the “slaves” some much needed help. And don’t forget the Live Auction Friday as we wind up the convention with some really great items donated by members and businesses. We have everything from T-Shirts to rocking chairs at these sales.

Thursday night dinner, which we call the “Support Rural America Banquet”, this year our president Larry Nelson, Buffalo will be giving his “ Industrial Foods” presentation. In this day and age, when all of a sudden food safety is big in D.C., Larry’s presentation is indeed timely. In light of what’s happening with these giant multinational food factories I would say whatever you do, don’t miss this presentation - I have heard part of it in other meetings and I’ll guarantee this is something we need to listen to and act on if we want to save rural America.

Remember, September 10th and 11th at the Grand Gateway Hotel in Rapid City, Lacrosse Street and I-90

This Margaret Nachtigall saying thanks for listening – see you at the convention!