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5/24/2006
R-CALF: CEO is Keynote Speaker at Fremont County Farm Bureau Meeting Riverton, Wyo. – R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard was the featured speaker at the recent Fremont County Farm Bureau spring banquet. Bullard spoke about what independent U.S. cattle producers need to do in to remain profitable. “It’s obvious that meatpackers do not share cattle producers’ goals of minimizing their risks, maximizing their profits and enhancing their competitiveness,” Bullard said. “Independent producers are in competition with meatpackers to win their share of the domestic beef market, as well as their share of the profits within the multi-segmented beef-supply chain. “If producers don’t join together to defend their interests and actively engage in this competition, no one else in this dynamic beef-supply chain will either,” Bullard continued. “R-CALF USA is building a strong, national organization that exclusively represents the interests of live-cattle producers. “If you will join with the 18,000 cattle producers from 47 states who are already members of R-CALF USA, you will help your fellow cattle producers to build this organization into the largest and strongest association representing your interests,” Bullard noted. “Your support will help R-CALF implement Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL) so producers will have the tools needed to maintain the separate identity of the U.S. cattle industry and to compete against the rising tide of imported beef and cattle. “Your membership will help R-CALF USA enforce and strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, to end the unfair business practices associated with the packers’ use of captive-supply cattle that interfere with the competitive forces in the marketplace,” he explained. “R-CALF USA will continue to work to establish safeguards in trade agreements that will recognize the cyclical sensitivity of our industry and the perishable nature of our product. “Finally, R-CALF USA will strive to maintain high health and safety import standards so our industry can maintain and strengthen its hard-earned reputation of producing the safest, most wholesome beef in the world under the best of conditions,” Bullard concluded. Fremont County Farm Bureau President Steve Garland, of Riverton, said Bullard’s presentation on the supply-and-demand side of the cattle industry was very informative. “It was interesting to hear that our product is in huge demand and our U.S. cattle supply is way down, yet we continue to receive low prices,” he said. “The opening of the Canadian border and captive-supply cattle used by packers are having huge effects on live cattle prices.” Lois Herbst, of Shoshoni, noted that producers who join active agricultural organizations are well informed and work hard to ensure that all producers will leave their grandchildren with an opportunity to make a living in agriculture industries. “The biggest problem we face, as producers, is USDA involvement in global marketing and trade issues that negatively impact producers,” Herbst continued. “I do not appreciate the efforts of USDA and beef processors to obliterate national boundaries and health and safety standards in order to achieve a North American beef industry which includes Canada and Mexico. “I have always questioned why we can have the lowest cattle numbers in history and still not receive the genuine price for our product,” Herbst commented. “I do understand the increase in prices paid for calves when the Canadian border was closed.” # # # R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA's membership consists primarily of cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members - over 18,000 strong - are located in 47 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
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