Oldtimer
Well-known member
CattleNetwork_Today 2/19/2007 2:29:00 PM
R-CALF: Members ‘Stampede’ Into Nation’s Capitol To Discuss Producer Issues
Washington, D.C. – More than five dozen R-CALF USA volunteers from 20 states traveled to the nation’s capitol for a three-day ‘Stampede’ to discuss issues important to the U.S. cattle industry with members of Congress, representatives of federal agencies, including Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, as well as Administration representatives, and others who have an interest in industry regulations.
“Our members braved the cold and the Valentine’s Day blizzard to make sure that the concerns of independent cattle producers were represented on Capitol Hill,” said R-CALF USA Government Relations Coordinator Abra Belke. “Even as many government offices were closing due to the inclement weather, our members ‘cowboyed up’ and trudged through the storm to make sure that our issues were discussed with members of Congress, as well as high-level Administration officials.”
R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair Jim Hanna said the Stampede gave members an excellent opportunity to meet with the decision-makers in Washington, D.C., so they would understand the organization’s position on reforming the Beef Checkoff Program to promote U.S.A. beef instead of generic beef products, and the need for more oversight and more information available to producers with regard to how Beef Checkoff dollars are spent.
“We had really good reception on the Checkoff reforms, especially with Secretary Johanns, who took a lot of notes and paid really close attention when we were talking,” Hanna said. “We didn’t receive any argument or disagreement about the changes that need to be made. A lot of the issues we take to Congress, we end up trying to defend and explain our position, but with the Checkoff survey results so strongly in our favor, USDA basically can’t argue with those. I think R-CALF can look forward to accomplishing a lot regarding the Beef Checkoff during the coming year.”
Other topics of concern R-CALF USA members discussed included moving up the implementation date of Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL), encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to withdraw its proposed Rule 2 that deals with resuming imports of Canadian cattle over 30 months (OTM) of age, banning captive-supply and livestock ownership practices of meat packers, and correcting the Interstate Meat Inspection Act so smaller packers can ship their products across state lines. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard said these are the core issues that affect the profitability of U.S. cattle producers, and Stampede participants did an outstanding job of elevating these issues for the new Congress.
This was the second time for Louisiana cattle producer Mike Kovac to participate in R-CALF USA’s Stampede. He said this year was even better than last February’s event.
“It seems like Congress and USDA listened more than they did last year and just had a better understanding of what U.S. cattle producers need,” Kovac said. “It seemed like everybody was more receptive. We discussed including a cattle chapter in the upcoming Farm Bill to resolve competition issues, and we also discussed moving up the implementation date for COOL, and addressing producer concerns about the Checkoff.
“The trip was well worthwhile because it’s important that Congress hear from producers,” Kovac continued. “It’s also important that they know we have to pay our own way to participate in the R-CALF Stampede, and that they know we think it’s worth spending $1,500 or more of our own money to make sure members of Congress hear our message.”
Louis Day, of Valentine, Neb., echoed that sentiment.
“I thought it was worth all the expense and the time because on the first day we got to meet with both of our Senators and all three of our Congressmen,” Day said. “My biggest deal was to stress what a stranglehold the multinational packers have on captive supplies, and to explain that for every 1 percent of supply they control, they can control their profits by 2 percent.”
R-CALF USA Wisconsin Membership Chair Kevin Kirschbaum said he was pleased to learn that his Senators and Representatives are on board with most of the organization’s issues.
“They were very appreciative to see us – their constituents – come to them with thoughts and ideas,” Kirschbaum said. “They all were very open-minded, and all understood the common-sense advantages of COOL, interstate shipment of meat, and many of our other concerns. It was great to see all the other R-CALF ranchers from across the country in our nation’s capitol supporting their industry.”
Bullard said participants again made history by demonstrating to our nation’s leaders that there are real people whose lives are affected by these issues.
“Each and every one of the visits our members made will elevate the stature of these issues, and the people they spoke with will remember these meetings for a long time to come,” Bullard said. “The annual Stampede strengthens R-CALF’s ability to establish a solid foundation that the organization will continue to build upon throughout the year to advance these important matters.
“Every Stampede participant is sincerely committed to improving the U.S. cattle industry and supporting what Congress is all about – and that’s the maintenance of a free enterprise system – a system that promotes and facilitates an open and competitive marketplace,” Bullard concluded. “R-CALF USA members are the ones delivering that message, and it is one powerful message.”
R-CALF: Members ‘Stampede’ Into Nation’s Capitol To Discuss Producer Issues
Washington, D.C. – More than five dozen R-CALF USA volunteers from 20 states traveled to the nation’s capitol for a three-day ‘Stampede’ to discuss issues important to the U.S. cattle industry with members of Congress, representatives of federal agencies, including Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, as well as Administration representatives, and others who have an interest in industry regulations.
“Our members braved the cold and the Valentine’s Day blizzard to make sure that the concerns of independent cattle producers were represented on Capitol Hill,” said R-CALF USA Government Relations Coordinator Abra Belke. “Even as many government offices were closing due to the inclement weather, our members ‘cowboyed up’ and trudged through the storm to make sure that our issues were discussed with members of Congress, as well as high-level Administration officials.”
R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair Jim Hanna said the Stampede gave members an excellent opportunity to meet with the decision-makers in Washington, D.C., so they would understand the organization’s position on reforming the Beef Checkoff Program to promote U.S.A. beef instead of generic beef products, and the need for more oversight and more information available to producers with regard to how Beef Checkoff dollars are spent.
“We had really good reception on the Checkoff reforms, especially with Secretary Johanns, who took a lot of notes and paid really close attention when we were talking,” Hanna said. “We didn’t receive any argument or disagreement about the changes that need to be made. A lot of the issues we take to Congress, we end up trying to defend and explain our position, but with the Checkoff survey results so strongly in our favor, USDA basically can’t argue with those. I think R-CALF can look forward to accomplishing a lot regarding the Beef Checkoff during the coming year.”
Other topics of concern R-CALF USA members discussed included moving up the implementation date of Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL), encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to withdraw its proposed Rule 2 that deals with resuming imports of Canadian cattle over 30 months (OTM) of age, banning captive-supply and livestock ownership practices of meat packers, and correcting the Interstate Meat Inspection Act so smaller packers can ship their products across state lines. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard said these are the core issues that affect the profitability of U.S. cattle producers, and Stampede participants did an outstanding job of elevating these issues for the new Congress.
This was the second time for Louisiana cattle producer Mike Kovac to participate in R-CALF USA’s Stampede. He said this year was even better than last February’s event.
“It seems like Congress and USDA listened more than they did last year and just had a better understanding of what U.S. cattle producers need,” Kovac said. “It seemed like everybody was more receptive. We discussed including a cattle chapter in the upcoming Farm Bill to resolve competition issues, and we also discussed moving up the implementation date for COOL, and addressing producer concerns about the Checkoff.
“The trip was well worthwhile because it’s important that Congress hear from producers,” Kovac continued. “It’s also important that they know we have to pay our own way to participate in the R-CALF Stampede, and that they know we think it’s worth spending $1,500 or more of our own money to make sure members of Congress hear our message.”
Louis Day, of Valentine, Neb., echoed that sentiment.
“I thought it was worth all the expense and the time because on the first day we got to meet with both of our Senators and all three of our Congressmen,” Day said. “My biggest deal was to stress what a stranglehold the multinational packers have on captive supplies, and to explain that for every 1 percent of supply they control, they can control their profits by 2 percent.”
R-CALF USA Wisconsin Membership Chair Kevin Kirschbaum said he was pleased to learn that his Senators and Representatives are on board with most of the organization’s issues.
“They were very appreciative to see us – their constituents – come to them with thoughts and ideas,” Kirschbaum said. “They all were very open-minded, and all understood the common-sense advantages of COOL, interstate shipment of meat, and many of our other concerns. It was great to see all the other R-CALF ranchers from across the country in our nation’s capitol supporting their industry.”
Bullard said participants again made history by demonstrating to our nation’s leaders that there are real people whose lives are affected by these issues.
“Each and every one of the visits our members made will elevate the stature of these issues, and the people they spoke with will remember these meetings for a long time to come,” Bullard said. “The annual Stampede strengthens R-CALF’s ability to establish a solid foundation that the organization will continue to build upon throughout the year to advance these important matters.
“Every Stampede participant is sincerely committed to improving the U.S. cattle industry and supporting what Congress is all about – and that’s the maintenance of a free enterprise system – a system that promotes and facilitates an open and competitive marketplace,” Bullard concluded. “R-CALF USA members are the ones delivering that message, and it is one powerful message.”
