For Immediate Release: February 10, 2023
By: R-CALF USA Marketing Director Jaiden Moreland
Contact: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard
Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com
Click here to view photos from the Black Hills Stock Show.
Rapid City, S.D.- The Black Hills Stock Show has historically been a largely successful event for R-CALF USA, and this year’s event proved its success once again.
R-CALF USA and its South Dakota state affiliate, the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA), again shared a booth during the 10-day event as they have for over two decades.
The booth welcomed visits from numerous R-CALF USA board of directors, committee chairs and members from surrounding states. This included R-CALF USA President Brett Kenzy, Vice President Eric Nelson, Region X Director Eric Gropper, Region VIII Director Dave Hyde, SDSGA President and R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair Vaughn Meyer, Animal ID Committee Chair Kenny Fox and Sheep Committee Chair Bill Kluck.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-S.D., and Michael Brooks and Jim Selchert, senior advisors for Sen. Rounds, R-S.D., also visited the booth.
“We’re always thankful to share a booth with SDSGA at the stock show,” said Kenzy. “The reach of the show brings cattlemen from all over the Midwest and gives us a great chance to make sure our policy is on point and that we build energy to keep working to restore competitive markets and unleash the productive power of rural America.”
“The issues we address are not easy but are necessary to get rural America growing again,” he said.
R-CALF USA Marketing Director Jaiden Moreland reported 75 new memberships, and growth in fundraising and cattle industry relationships resulting from the event.
“It was a pleasure getting to represent R-CALF USA at the stock show,” commented Moreland. “It’s always great to welcome new members into our R-CALF family and catch up with lots of familiar faces! We had some valuable conversations with a variety of consumers, producers, industry representatives and legislators that were motivating and are what will drive us forward.”
SDSGA Executive Director Doris Lauing and Theresa Fox, a longtime R-CALF USA and SDSGA member, represented SDSGA at the booth, also reporting high success.
“The collaboration between SDSGA and R-CALF USA recruiting new members, renewing existing members and selling raffle tickets for both organizations’ benefit was very successful,” said Lauing. “It was my pleasure as the new executive director to spend time with Jaiden and Theresa, meeting new people and reconnecting with friends.”
Kenzy represented R-CALF USA on the “Need for Unity in the Cattle Industry” panel, which was organized by Lauing. The panel hosted Kenzy alongside representatives from other cattle industry associations and piqued the interest of many stock show goers, drawing a large crowd.
“This year we had the opportunity to have all three national cattle organizations represented by their presidents, and this year they all three hail from South Dakota,” Lauing continued. “It was great to be informed on what each organization’s main goals are going forward. Unity should be foremost on everyone’s list; to fight for every cattle producer no matter their personal beliefs.”
The panel spoke to current issues affecting the cattle industry including mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL), radio frequency identification (RFID) eartags, the beef checkoff, competition and 2023 Farm Bill priorities as applied to each organization’s policies.
“Unity from organizations representing different segments of the industry might be a tall order, but coming together is a good start, and I hope the Secretary of Agriculture can join us in a future panel,” said Kenzy. “We all work ultimately for the consumer, and the food security for this nation rests squarely on our shoulders.”
Following the panel, R-CALF USA hosted a farm bill listening session and social with presentations from Kenzy, Nelson and R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.
“It was great to see everyone come out for the panel and social, and it was a very eye-opening day of what the American cow/calf producer has coming at us,” noted Gropper. “Nobody’s going to fix the situation we’re in for us. We’re all going to have to start acting and get involved to get it done.”
The booth also hosted the annual hand-made saddle by Baxter Badure, from Belvidere, South Dakota, and the saddle rack made by Leroy Wicks, from Dupree, South Dakota.
The 2023 saddle raffle ticket sales will continue until the R-CALF USA national convention held on Aug. 17 and 18 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Raffle tickets can be purchased at Fort Pierre Livestock Auction in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, or at the convention.
The “Need for Unity in the Cattle Industry” panel can be viewed here.
The R-CALF USA Farm Bill Listening Session presentation can be accessed here.
The legislative panel featuring Michael Brooks, from Sen. Rounds’ office; Mark Haugen, from Sen. Thune’s office; and Katie Murray, from Rep. Johnson’s office; can be watched here.
“R-CALF USA looks forward to continuing visiting the Black Hills Stock Show for years to come,” said Moreland. “We look forward to a year of progress and are thankful for the continued support!”
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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.
