What: Belle Fourche Livestock Market to Host R-CALF USA Calf Sale Fundraiser
When: Noon, MDT, Thurs., April 4, 2024
Where: Belle Fourche Livestock Market, 18662 Livestock Road, Belle Fourche, SD 57717
Contacts:
R-CALF USA Checkoff Chair Vaughn Meyer, (605) 430-4372 or sdangus@sdplains.com
R-CALF USA Sheep Chair Bill Kluck, (605) 645-8773 or echofarm@goldenwest.net
R-CALF USA Member Rick Fox, (605) 391-8215
Description: Belle Fourche Livestock Market LLC will host a rollover calf sale fundraiser auction at noon, on Thursday, April 4. R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair and Sodak Angus Ranch owner, Vaughn Meyer, will donate a butcher-ready steer calf to be auctioned off. If necessary, Meyer can transport the steer to a local butcher.
Rollover auctions are fundraising events put on by R-CALF USA volunteers to raise money for the organization. Those who wish to support the efforts of R-CALF USA can bid on the calf, and then donate it back so it can be auctioned off again and again until bidding ceases. After the last rollover bid, the calf is sold to the highest bidder with proceeds going to R-CALF USA.
According to the Department of Agriculture’s recently released census data, in the last five years, the U.S. has lost over 107,000 beef cattle ranches. Today, only 622,000 of America’s 1.3 million beef cattle ranches in 1980 remain. In 1982 there were 17,000 full-time sheep operations, and today less than 6,400 of them remain.
R-CALF USA works on various issues that will reverse America’s ranching crisis such as mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) on beef, animal identification options, beef checkoff reform, sheep tariffs, animal health concerns, packer control of livestock, as well as various trade agreements. R-CALF USA’s ongoing, historic class-action antitrust case against the Big 4 meatpackers could prove to be the most significant event of the century in the U.S. cattle industry.
R-CALF USA is set apart from all other national cattle associations because it relies 100 percent on membership dues and donations to carry out its mission to ensure the continued profitability and independence of United States cattle and sheep producers. This gives R-CALF USA the independence to take on the toughest, most crucial challenges facing America’s cattle and sheep producers without fear that the government or a powerful advertiser or corporation will pull its funding.
R-CALF USA encourages cattle and sheep producers and others to get involved and make their collective voices heard. Individuals or businesses supported by the U.S. cattle or sheep industries can contact Vaughn Meyer at (605) 430-4372 or sdangus@sdplains.com , Bill Kluck at (605) 645-8773 or echofarm@goldenwest.net, or Rick Fox at (605) 391-8215 to pledge a contribution for the rollover auction. Names of businesses or individual contributors who are unable to attend in person will be announced during the fundraiser.
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Activities carried out by R-CALF USA for the benefit of the U.S. cattle and sheep industries are funded exclusively by the independent cattle and sheep producers who pay their membership dues and by livestock producers, main-street businesses, and other individuals who participate in and contribute to fundraising events.
Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) is the largest producer-only lobbying and trade association representing U.S. cattle and sheep producers. It is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle and sheep industries. For more information, please visit www.r-calfusa.com or call (406) 252-2516.