For Immediate Release
By: R-CALF USA Digital Media Coordinator Blair Moreland
Contact: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard
Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com
BILLINGS, Mont., Sept. 23, 2026 – Seven R-CALF USA rollover calf sale fundraisers were held across the country, raising a total of $135,724 to support R-CALF USA’s work on behalf of independent U.S. cattle producers.
R-CALF USA is the only national cattle organization solely funded through donations and membership dues and does not receive beef checkoff dollars. The continued support of livestock markets, calf donors, buyers and producers around the country through fundraisers like the rollover calf sales is a vital part of the organization’s work.
“As a grassroots organization, it is American cattle producers and supporters across the country who make everything R-CALF USA does possible,” said R-CALF USA President Dave Hyde. “From the producers who donate their cattle to the sale barns that host these fundraisers to everyone who raises a hand to bid, we are incredibly grateful to each person who continues to invest in R-CALF USA and the work we do on behalf of independent cattle producers.”
The 2025-2026 calf sale season began Sept. 24, 2025, at Platte Livestock Market in Platte, South Dakota.
“Supporting R-CALF USA is huge. I mean, they’re out there fighting for the rancher right now and we need all the help we can get in getting this beef labeled and everything,” said Platte Livestock Market owner Scott Kirsch.
For the fourth consecutive year, James Fulwider and Kevin Talsma of Iona, South Dakota, donated a yearling steer, with all proceeds going to R-CALF USA. The steer raised $15,385.
Buffalo Livestock Marketing in Buffalo, Wyoming, hosted an R-CALF USA rollover calf sale Dec. 6, 2025. Largent and Sons of Kaycee, Wyoming, donated a weaned Hereford heifer calf that raised $14,500.
“We were more than happy to donate and were very pleased with the results,” said Mark Largent. “The process was seamless, smooth and we would be very interested in doing it again.”
Largent said he supports mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. “We are plumb tickled with R-CALF. We want MCOOL to get in place. If we could get MCOOL, it would help us so much.”
In Crawford, Nebraska, Crawford Livestock Market hosted an R-CALF USA rollover calf sale on Jan. 9, 2026.
Crawford Livestock Market owner Alicia Robertson expressed her appreciation for the support R-CALF USA provides producers and emphasized the importance of supporting the U.S. cattle industry.
“I think the number one thing that everyone in the country needs to know is that we need to eat and raise U.S. beef. We need to demand U.S. beef. We need to market U.S. beef,” said Robertson. “We’re right here in the United States where we raise the best food sources in the world. We just need to make sure that our people support our industry.”
For the third year, Jack and Penny Dye of Dyesville Angus in Hermosa, South Dakota, donated a heifer calf to the rollover auction. Their donation raised $8,286 for R-CALF USA.
Atkinson Livestock Market in Atkinson, Nebraska, hosted an R-CALF USA rollover calf sale Jan. 20, 2026. For the fourth consecutive year, Paulsen Land and Cattle, owned by Matt and Julie Paulsen of Niobrara, Nebraska, donated a heifer calf. The fundraiser generated $15,569 for R-CALF USA.
“Nobody knew the real issues in the cattle industry, and that’s why I started doing it,” Paulsen said. “Nobody really knew the problems and the dilemmas within the industry because you have organizations like NCBA saying ‘everything is good.’”
Paulsen said R-CALF USA is the only grassroots organization in the nation that supports independent cattle producers.
Huron Continental Marketing in Huron, South Dakota, hosted an R-CALF USA rollover calf sale Feb. 3, 2026. Proceeds from the fundraiser were divided between R-CALF USA and its affiliate, Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (I-BAND).
R-CALF USA Region III Director Ron Volk, who also serves on the I-BAND board of directors, donated a heifer calf that raised $1,893 for each organization.
“I like how R-CALF puts the producers first, and the producers are the people out there doing the work, doing the industry production,” said Huron Continental Marketing owner Kim Ulmer. “I think the producers should be protected, and that’s why I’ve supported R-CALF for years and years, because I feel like they’re watching the back of every cattle rancher and producing results for the people and making awareness that needs to be continued.
“I think everybody needs to get involved in the political side of it,” Ulmer said. “I would recommend the producers study the cattle organizations that are trying to protect them and get involved somehow, rather than just read the news and wonder what’s going on or wait until the news is out.”
In La Junta, Colorado, La Junta Livestock Commission hosted an R-CALF USA Rollover Calf Sale on April 29, 2026. James Bledsoe and Wil Bledsoe of Hugo, Colorado, donated a calf to the sale, with all proceeds going to R-CALF USA. The calf raised $31,600.
Weather and drought remain major concerns for cattle producers in the region, according to La Junta Livestock Commission President and General Manager Jace Honey.
“That’s probably the biggest thing right now that everybody’s talking about. We need some moisture,” Honey said.
“[R-CALF USA] represents the cattle industry, not the meat industry,” Honey said. “I think that’s what helps us as much as anything is that the national public and consumers don’t understand that the ranchers don’t get rich by selling cattle. It’s the packers who get rich by selling meat to the distributor.”
Longtime supporters of R-CALF USA, Fort Pierre Livestock Auction in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, closed out the 2025-2026 R-CALF USA rollover calf sale season with its annual sale June 5, 2026. The calf was donated by Dean and Delia Johnson and raised $48,491.
“These barns putting these rollovers together is great for this organization,” said Bryan Hanson, owner of Fort Pierre Livestock Auction.
“This is the way we can give, and it gives everybody a dog in the fight,” said Delia Johnson. “It just means so much when 50 producers stand up at a sale and commit to giving part of their calf check to the organization. It’s what holds us together and what keeps us humble.
“We’ve had our heart and soul in this organization from when Herman and Johnny and those original guys came around,” Johnson continued. “Our little 4-H club served a meal to get people to come, and we saw the light there. That was the only hope we had.
“We’ve held on to it pretty tight, and it’s paid off,” she said. “It’s the only reason we’re all still out here as independent cattlemen.”
R-CALF USA is now scheduling rollover calf sale fundraisers for the 2026-2027 season, which will kick off Sept. 23 at Platte Livestock Market in Platte, South Dakota, with a calf donated by James Fulwider and Kevin Talsma.
Livestock markets interested in hosting a rollover calf sale or producers interested in donating a calf are encouraged to contact R-CALF USA Operations Director Candace Bullard at candacebullard@r-calfusa.com or 406-591-9009.
Pictured from left: Bryan Hanson, Wil Bledsoe and son, Julie Paulsen, Ron Volk, R-CALF USA Region II Director Judy McCullough, James Fulwider and R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair Brett Kenzy.
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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. Visit www.r-calfusa.com or call 406-252-2516 for more information.