Three new R-CALF directors assume duties

The three co-founders who established R-CALF USA back in 1998 stepped down from their director duties on Tuesday, April 25, and filling those vacancies are long-time members who have, in various capacities, been active volunteers in the past. R-CALF USA by-laws allow nominees to be declared at the annual convention each January and permit every member who owns cattle to vote on directors from their respective regions every three years, as terms expire, utilizing a mail-in ballot distributed immediately after convention. No director is allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms. Upon the expiration of a director's term, or upon a vacancy, the affected region is responsible for nominating two or more individuals who reside within the region to fill the vacancy.

"I want to thank the co-founders who have tirelessly led this organization from a simple idea back in 1998, to what R-CALF has become today--the fastest-growing cattle-producer organization in the U.S.," said R-CALF USA President and Region V Director Chuck Kiker. "It was the integrity, the foresight and the tenacity of these individuals that brought us to this level of success so far, and the substantial sacrifices they made to ensure the long-term success of our industry. We will never forget their years of hard work on behalf of independent U.S. cattle producers."

Kiker also said he is looking forward to working with the new board members coming on and offered a bit of insight based on personal experience.

"When someone tells you that being an R-CALF volunteer is an 'active' position, just remember that's the understatement of the century--especially for directors, because guiding this organization is basically a full-time job," Kiker said. "We are already going full steam ahead on issues like BSE, animal ID, free trade agreements, strengthening the competition chapter of the farm bill, and ensuring the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 is being enforced. I am pleased with the diversity this board brings to the table to address the policies of the U.S. cattle industry."

Stepping down from his Region I responsibilities is R-CALF USA Co-founder and former President Leo McDonnell, of Columbus, Mont. Region I includes the states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Members approved a resolution that allows the immediate past president to serve as a voting member of the board, so McDonnell will continue to guide the organization in that capacity.

From a field of three candidates that included R-CALF USA National Membership Co-Chair Margene Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore., and Mary Ann Murray, of Jordan, Mont., who serves on R-CALF USA Animal ID Committee, Region I members elected to the post Dennis McDonald, of Melville, Mont., who previously served as co-chair of R-CALF USA's International Trade Committee.

McDonald and his wife Sharon, along with their four children, produce registered American Quarter Horses, and own and operate the Open Spear Ranch, a cow-calf operation. McDonald served seven years on the U.S. Agriculture Trade Advisory Committee (ATAC) and on many occasions, has testified on industry issues before the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Trade Commission.

McDonald said he is looking forward to working with R-CALF USA members to tackle the formidable challenges facing the live-cattle industry.

"I'm also looking forward to continuing to build R-CALF USA and doing so by helping to grow the number of R-CALF USA affiliates in the Northwest," McDonald said. "R-CALF USA's future strength will lie not only with our individual memberships, but just as importantly with the strength of our state affiliates. To that end, I'm looking forward to establishing an R-CALF USA affiliate in Idaho.

"Finally, one of the great challenges for the live-cattle industry will be to put our own economic house in order," McDonald continued. "To be successful on other issues, grassroots producers need an organization that is economically sound, and key to achieving this goal are revisions to the Beef Checkoff so it becomes a program that works for family producers."

Stepping down from her Region II responsibilities is R-CALF USA Co-Founder and Former Vice President Kathleen Kelley, of Meeker, Colo. Region II includes Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Region II members elected R-CALF USA Marketing Committee Co-Chair Randy Stevenson, of Wheatland, Wyo., to the post, running opposite R-CALF USA International Trade Committee Chair Doug Zalesky, of Hesperus, Colo.

Stevenson and his wife Charlie, his father Jim, along with his brother Terry, run Double S Livestock, a cattle-feeding operation near Wheatland. Stevenson - whose personal motto is 'Honor, Duty, Country'--is vice president of the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) and chairs the Platte County Republican Party in Wyoming. He also writes a weekly column published in the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and The Record Stockman, and spends a great deal of time furthering the competition movement, researching antitrust issues and advocating for honorable trade agreements. Three years ago, Stevenson founded "Steak on the Fourth," a program that makes certain U.S. soldiers stationed overseas get to eat a tasty U.S. steak on Independence Day.

He said some of the most important issues facing independent U.S. ranchers today are market concentration and competition, international trade, and animal identification.

"It is truly an honor to serve the members of Region II and R-CALF, and to follow such a visionary and courageous director as Kathleen Kelley is a daunting task," said Stevenson. "I also feel we each have a duty to serve our industry and country to return honest competition to the livestock markets, along with implementation of a realistic and commonsense trade policy. We have a chance now, like never before in recent history, to accomplish this, thanks in a very large part to the leadership of R-CALF USA."

Stepping down from his Region III responsibilities is R-CALF USA Co-Founder Herman Schumacher, of Herreid, S.D. Region III includes Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

From a field of three candidates that included R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chair Danni Beer, of Keldron, S.D., and Kenny Fox, of Belvidere, S.D., who serves on R-CALF USA's Animal ID Committee, Region III members elected Johnny Smith, of Fort Pierre, S.D., to this directorship position. Smith co-owns the Fort Pierre Livestock Auction and has long been a generous and staunch supporter of the organization by raising thousands of dollars and adding dozens of new members to the ranks.

Smith has been in the cattle business more than 40 years with two of his three brothers and also raises registered American Quarter Horses. He is past president of the South Dakota Livestock Auction Market Association and now serves on the South Dakota Beef Industry Council. In 1994, Smith began a radio program to address unfair practices in the livestock industry and later was a primary plaintiff in Pickett v Tyson. Smith said he hopes to represent the wishes of U.S. cattle producers in his capacity as an R-CALF USA director.

"I look forward to talking with members so we can work together for true price discovery that will give us fair and competitive markets," Smith said.

Date: 7/31/06

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