HAY MAKER
Well-known member
Washington D.C. – R-CALF USA will arrive in the nation's capitol next month during the group's "Washington Stampede," an even bigger and better repeat of last February's event, during which members from 20 states met with Senators and Representatives, as well as Administration and federal officials to discuss cattle industry issues. This year's Stampede is scheduled for Feb. 12 - Feb. 15.
"Knowing that more discussions are coming up regarding the next Farm Bill, it is more critical than ever for our members to saddle up and contact their own Senators and Representatives so their voices will be heard on issues significant to the industry," said R-CALF USA Government Relations Director Jess Peterson. "The cattle industry is the largest single sector of U.S. agriculture, and the continued health of that sector is essential to creating strong, thriving rural communications all across the United States. Since 1994, more than 122,000 cattle ranches and farms have closed down or otherwise exited the beef cattle business, and that trend has to be reversed. The renewal of the Farm Bill presents an important opportunity to strengthen the cattle sector and create a competitive playing field at home, and abroad, for U.S. cattle producers.
"Implementation of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL) is one of our top priorities, as is making certain that legislation will be enacted on competition reform so there's as much transparency in the marketplace as possible," Peterson continued. "Modifying the Beef Checkoff is another important goal of this organization.
Peterson said R-CALF USA greatly appreciated the support demonstrated during last year's Washington Stampede by cattle producers from around the nation.
"Last year was extremely successful, and it was member participation that helped cause the immediate introduction of the first viable bill in more than 80 years to strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act," he noted. "Another significant accomplishment is that through our meetings with USDA, we were able to maintain the use of the hot-iron brand within the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)."
R-CALF USA Government Relations Coordinator Abra Belke said she has had to expand reservations to two hotels because so many members have committed to participate in the event next month.
Last year, R-CALF USA representatives met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and James Link, administrator for USDA's Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) and several other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials whose duties impact domestic cattle operations.
The chief agriculture negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) office also met with R-CALF USA representatives, as did highly placed officials in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Members also visited Capitol Hill to speak with their respective Senators and Representatives about issues important to independent U.S. cattle producers.
"We will follow last year's outline, but add meetings with Embassy officials, panel discussions with coalition members and more meetings with officials from the Agriculture Department," Belke said. "It is extremely important for as many R-CALF members as possible to be in Washington, D.C., for this Stampede because it's our opportunity to shape the 2007 Farm Bill."
For more information or to register for next month's Washington Stampede, contact Belke at 202-387-2180 or [email protected].
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R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization and is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on both domestic and international trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALF USA has more than 60 affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit http://www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
"Knowing that more discussions are coming up regarding the next Farm Bill, it is more critical than ever for our members to saddle up and contact their own Senators and Representatives so their voices will be heard on issues significant to the industry," said R-CALF USA Government Relations Director Jess Peterson. "The cattle industry is the largest single sector of U.S. agriculture, and the continued health of that sector is essential to creating strong, thriving rural communications all across the United States. Since 1994, more than 122,000 cattle ranches and farms have closed down or otherwise exited the beef cattle business, and that trend has to be reversed. The renewal of the Farm Bill presents an important opportunity to strengthen the cattle sector and create a competitive playing field at home, and abroad, for U.S. cattle producers.
"Implementation of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL) is one of our top priorities, as is making certain that legislation will be enacted on competition reform so there's as much transparency in the marketplace as possible," Peterson continued. "Modifying the Beef Checkoff is another important goal of this organization.
Peterson said R-CALF USA greatly appreciated the support demonstrated during last year's Washington Stampede by cattle producers from around the nation.
"Last year was extremely successful, and it was member participation that helped cause the immediate introduction of the first viable bill in more than 80 years to strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act," he noted. "Another significant accomplishment is that through our meetings with USDA, we were able to maintain the use of the hot-iron brand within the National Animal Identification System (NAIS)."
R-CALF USA Government Relations Coordinator Abra Belke said she has had to expand reservations to two hotels because so many members have committed to participate in the event next month.
Last year, R-CALF USA representatives met with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and James Link, administrator for USDA's Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) and several other U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials whose duties impact domestic cattle operations.
The chief agriculture negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative's (USTR) office also met with R-CALF USA representatives, as did highly placed officials in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Members also visited Capitol Hill to speak with their respective Senators and Representatives about issues important to independent U.S. cattle producers.
"We will follow last year's outline, but add meetings with Embassy officials, panel discussions with coalition members and more meetings with officials from the Agriculture Department," Belke said. "It is extremely important for as many R-CALF members as possible to be in Washington, D.C., for this Stampede because it's our opportunity to shape the 2007 Farm Bill."
For more information or to register for next month's Washington Stampede, contact Belke at 202-387-2180 or [email protected].
# # #
R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization and is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on both domestic and international trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALF USA has more than 60 affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit http://www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
