Fighting for the
U.S. Cattle Producer
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Mississippi Sale Barns Host Past President Leo McDonnell Copy By:
Natasha Bentz, National Field Coordinator Media Contact:
Shae Dodson, Communications Coordinator BILLINGS, MONT. (September 5, 2006) R-CALF USA Co-Founder and Past President Leo McDonnell recently spoke to Mississippi cattle producers about the beginning of R-CALF USA and trade and competition issues. “In 1997, our U.S. Senators were told that from 1986 to 1996 U.S. beef production had increased by 1.5 billion pounds, implying that U.S. ranchers had simply increased their cattle herds, which increased beef supplies, forcing prices down,” said McDonnell. “Because of R-CALF USA, our Senators now know what they were being told was not entirely true, and the majority of the increase in U.S. beef production during that period actually came just from the increase in imported live cattle during that same period. “That increase in imports extended the down side of the cycle causing tremendous economic harm in the mid and late ’90s and early this decade,” continued McDonnell. “In the ’90s, many of the tools ranchers needed to compete in a global market were not attainable. “Today that has changed positively for ranchers with Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL), the passage of legislation requiring future trade agreements to have special rules for perishable and cyclical agricultural products, including cattle and beef, as well as a new awareness that U.S. agriculture trade policy is failing legislatively,” he noted. “Unfortunately, even though we have Mandatory COOL and special trade rules signed into law, they are being compromised by a handful of politicians and a fragmented industry voice,” explained McDonnell. “Some of the U.S. cattle producer opponents are even contactors for our Checkoff which brings a certain irony to the table from a marketing aspect. “The injunction against USDA on imports from countries with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) such as Canada, would never have occurred, if it were not for R-CALF USA and we would have had a full resumption of cattle and beef imports from Canada by 2004,” he said. “This would have compromised our historically high standards for imported food, and interestingly the same groups who supported USDA’s liberalizations are the same ones who opposed Mandatory COOL, which would have required products be at least labeled with their countries of origin. “None of this would have happened if it was not for the cattle producers getting behind R-CALF USA,” noted McDonnell. “Ranchers have put a new, positive direction on the U.S. cattle industry, and as often is the case with change, it did not come easy. McDonnell also mentioned USDA’s proposed National Animal Identification System (NAIS). “R-CALF USA does not support the proposed Animal ID system,” he said. “It is hypocrisy to put such a costly and burdensome regulation on the U.S. industry while we lower our import standards to countries that could expose us to higher disease risk.” R-CALF USA Southeast Region Membership Chair Joel Gill helped organize the meeting. He noted that Animal ID was a huge discussion topic because many local producers may be unable to pay the extra expense for tracking their cattle and would therefore likely exit the industry. “The membership of R-CALF is against a mandatory Animal ID system,” said Gill, of Pickens, Miss. “While the membership sees some merit to a national health trace back for foreign animal disease control, the current proposed mandatory system needs a cost-benefit analysis. “Instead, what is needed is the continuation and utilization of current programs such as the brucellosis surveillance program, brand inspection laws and other health identification requirements as mandated by state health officials,” commented Gill. “These should be the framework for the foundation of a workable animal health trace back system.” “R-CALF is working to implement Mandatory COOL so producers will be able to differentiate their cattle and beef from foreign meat,” he continued. “Consumers should have the ability to choose what country they buy their beef from and given that choice I believe they will pick U.S. born-and-raised every time.” People’s Livestock Auction, in Houston, Miss., facilitated one meeting. Also, Winona Stockyard, in Winona, Miss., hosted a meeting. Ray Welch, Winona Stockyard owner, said everyone was pleased with the meeting and McDonnell did a good job representing R-CALF USA and the cattle industry. “Leo spoke of what happened to make cattle prices go up and when the Canadian border opened the market fell,” said Welch. “We need to identify our cattle, but we need to keep it on a local and state level rather than a federal level,” continued Welch. “Some states, such as Leo’s, already identify with brands. There are many producers who would quit the business if they had to identify their livestock.” East Mississippi Farmer’s Livestock Co., in Philadelphia, Miss., organized McDonnell’s final meeting. Manager Hugh Barrier said problems within the U.S. cattle industry must be addressed by producers. “We shouldn’t open the border to the potential risk of BSE,” said Barrier. “And if slaughterhouses, such as Creekstone Farms, want to meet the requirements of other countries in order to market their product, then they should not be stopped by government.” # # # 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 www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516. |
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This page was last updated on Monday, June 04, 2007. |
