Billings, Mont. – National cattle trade association R-CALF USA invited representatives from the Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton presidential campaigns to address the group’s 17th Annual Convention to be held August 26-27 at the Little America Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  The letters of invitation identify nine key issues the group says are critical to the future of independent cattle farming and ranching.

Invitations were sent to Charles Herbster, National Chairman of Trump’s Agriculture and Rural Advisory Committee, and to Amanda Renteria, National Political Director for Clinton.

As of press time, Herbster has confirmed that former Ohio Congressman Bob McEwen will speak at the group’s convention on behalf of the Trump campaign. The Clinton campaign contacted R-CALF USA and said they are checking schedules.

“Competition is fast disappearing from our cattle markets and we need the next Administration to take decisive action to correct this,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.

“That is why we provided the candidates with summaries of our key issues that range from reinstating country of origin labeling to ending antitrust and anticompetitive practices to reforming the beef checkoff program to establishing a trade policy that doesn’t invite imports from disease-affected countries and restores the national sovereignty our country has surrendered to the World Trade Organization,” Bullard added.

Laurel Masterson, Organizational Activities Director for R-CALF USA, said she hopes the campaign surrogates will stay and listen to the other experts scheduled to address the group’s members.

“This year’s speaker lineup is incredible and attendees will learn important information from them that they will not hear from any other source,” commented Masterson.

Masterson said the renowned experts speaking at this year’s convention include:

  • Dr. Dianna Moss, President of the American Antitrust Institute
  • Brian O’Shaughnessy,  President of the Coalition for a Prosperous America and Chairman of Revere Copper
  • Patty Lovera, Assistant Director, Food & Water Watch
  • Dr. Angus McIntosh, Executive Director, Range Allotment-owners National Grazing-lands Education (RANGE) Association
  • David Muraskin, attorney for Public Justice and lead counsel in R-CALF USA’s checkoff lawsuit
  • Dudley Butler, Former USDA-GIPSA Administrator and co-counsel in R-CALF USA’s checkoff lawsuit

Masterson said registration for next week’s convention is still open and forms can be accessed online at https://www.r-calfusa.com/event/r-calf-usas-17th-annual-convention/ or by calling the R-CALF USA office at 406-252-2516.

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R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is the largest producer-only cattle trade association in the United States. It is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.