Billings, Mont. – Today, R-CALF USA’s 100th radio show aired on KBRX in O’Neill, Neb. For nearly two years, radio listeners have benefited from R-CALF USA’s weekly presence in O’Neill and the surrounding communities.

The radio show began out of concern that the economic and political interests of cattle farmers and ranchers were being drowned out by the deeper-pocketed, multinational meatpackers and their allies.

Four O’Neill area cattlemen found a solution. They stepped forward to sponsor air time so R-CALF USA could provide timely updates on issues impacting the cattle industry and rural America. These original sponsors are Shamrock Livestock Market, Derner Angus, LLC, Ag-West Feeds, and Joe and Pam Pongratz.  Recently added new sponsors include Atkinson Livestock and Hay Country Angus (Daryl Smith).

According to the sponsors, the show is important to their rural community.  Joe Pongratz explains, “The media is often controlled by groups who are looking out for the highest payer not the entire industry. Because R-CALF USA represents the other side of the industry, the media doesn’t often run our side of the issues. So we members pay for the radio show to get the truth of what is really going on in the industry out to all producers no matter where they pay their dues.” Pongratz is also the group’s Checkoff Committee Chair.

Derner Angus, LLC, echoes the importance of the group, “R-CALF USA is the only cattleman’s organization that truly represents the cow-calf, feeder and feedlot owner’s interests with true facts.”

Richard Schrunk, manager of Shamrock Livestock Market, agrees. “I think R-CALF is the only thing the independent cattlemen have going for us. They’re the only national group out their fighting for our cause.”

“R-CALF is the only one standing up for ranchers in Washington, DC and fighting for ‘em – for example, helping get COOL through,” said Vince Hulinsky of Ag-West Feeds adding, “The number one industry in Nebraska is agriculture and we need to support it because without agriculture Nebraska would be in terrible shape. The rural communities are slowly dying off. We need to support them so Nebraska can survive. The small towns are the backbone of Nebraska and I support them from the bottom of my heart.”

The 5-minute show can be heard at 10:55 a.m. CT every Wednesday or online at kbrx.com.

“We would be pleased to offer our weekly show to communities anywhere in the United States,” said R-CALF USA Organizational Activites Director Laurel Masterson, adding “All that is needed is a willing sponsor or sponsors and a willing radio station.”

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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.