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Stockgrowers quarterly meeting well-attended
South Dakota
Over 100 people attended the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, December quarterly meeting in Isabel, S.D., says SDSGA District 7 director, Mike Maher, Isabel, S.D.
"Local ranchers have asked me a lot about the Stockgrowers, and this meeting was their chance to get involved first-hand," said Maher. "It was a perfect opportunity for the folks around here to offer their thoughts about some important issues like about animal identification, property rights and international trade."
According to SDSGA President Ken Knuppe, Buffalo Gap, S.D., the Stockgrowers appreciated input from the Isabel-area ranchers and others who took part in their committee meetings. "Our Ag and Natural Resources Committee was full of folks with questions and ideas about the Homestake Mine Restoration plan, as well as other issues. Our committees address the issues that really matter to cattle producers--that was evident by the large turnout to each of our meetings."
Knuppe said the Stockgrowers adopted policy that "all imported livestock shall be permanently marked with a hot iron brand to indicate the country-of-origin." He said the Stockgrowers hope to use this policy to urge Congress to remove cattle from the "J-list." According to Knuppe, the J-list is a list of products that the U.S. Department of Treasury exempts from the general requirement that all products imported into the United States must be marked with a mark of origin (country-of-origin). The Stockgrowers hope to work with other organizations and South Dakota's congressional delegation to take cattle off of the J-list, thus providing a means of implementing country-of-origin labeling at no cost to domestic producers.
Maher says the folks who attended the meeting learned the latest news about the cattle industry from speakers John Lockie, project coordinator for the Cattlemen's Competitive Market Project (CCMP) and Chase Carter, R-CALF USA field coordinator. "Both of the speakers encouraged ranchers to stay involved in organizations like the Stockgrowers, in order to have a voice in the future of the industry."
Lockie spoke Monday evening (Dec. 6), about CCMP, urging ranchers to consider contributing to the project. "It's the best way that we can be prepared to defend our industry," he said. "CCMP funds are dedicated to restoring true competition for U.S. cattle in the marketplace. CCMP creates a 'war-chest' of funds that are utilized to benefit the U.S. cattle industry. From research on integration of the beef industry, to legal advice about border issues, the donations will be used to improve prices for America's cattle producers." According to Lockie, ranchers can sign up to contribute to CCMP by contacting him or their local salebarn. "It's a totally voluntary, tax-deductible $.50/head contribution, and if you believe in the U.S. cattle industry, and hope to see it prosper, this is one way to help direct your own future as a producer." Lockie said donations received from South Dakota producers will be divided equally between the Organization for Competitive Markets, R-CALF USA and the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, and is dedicated strictly to competition and marketing issues.
For more information, contact Lockie at 402-817-4443 or Carrie Longwood at 605-342-0429.
Chase Carter, R-CALF USA field coordinator spoke to the Tuesday, Dec. 7, lunch crowd about the future of the cattle industry, specifically relating to international trade. Carter urged ranchers to get involved, and to speak out for their own interests in each and every trade agreement discussed at the national level. "We can't compete with third world countries on price alone, the U.S. cattle industry must have safeguards in place, or we will all soon be replaced by producers from South America and Australia." Carter urged folks to stay in contact with their congressional delegation and to voice opposition to the Central American Free Trade Agreement unless special safeguards are included for cattle and beef.
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