Agricultural News
Oklahoma Cattle Industry Leaders Push Back Against Out of State Activists Planning Litigation Against Okahoma Beef Checkoff Vote
Wed, 18 Oct 2017 21:26:54 CDT
Oklahoma Farm Report received the following statement Wednesday evening that has been signed by a whole host of Oklahoma Cattle Industry leaders. The names of those supporting this statement are at the bottom of this page.
"Statement from Oklahoma beef producers about a potential lawsuit regarding the refundable Oklahoma Beef Checkoff referendum that is currently being considered by the state's beef industry:
"It has come to our attention that out-of-state activist groups have either filed or are considering filing a lawsuit to stop the current refundable Oklahoma Beef Checkoff referendum. Earlier this month, one of the out-of-state groups sent out a memo casting a wide net searching for a state beef producer to file the suit. This follows the current misinformation campaign that Organization of Competitive Markets (OCM), Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and R-Calf are leading in our state to discourage and deny beef producers the right to vote.
"We are confident in our handling of this referendum and know our actions will withstand the scrutiny. We worked closely with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF),and followed and abided by the state statute when conducting the petition and current checkoff vote. As for the voting process, we have even taken it upon ourselves to put extra measures in place to ensure the integrity of the vote.
"It's worth noting:
"ODAFF held a public hearing on June 14, 2017 before certifying the petition allowing for the referendum
"Individuals who pay the assessment have been able to vote in checkoff referendums since 1988, and in subsequent states checkoff referendums
"By state law this state checkoff, is refundable, upon request.
"For more facts, click here
"It's unfortunate out-of-state activist groups are meddling in our state's referendum and beef industry by working to keep Oklahoma beef producers from voting in an Oklahoma state beef checkoff.
"These petty process tactics by out-of-state activist groups have no place in the Oklahoma beef industry."
(as provided to Oklahoma Farm Report by the following Cattle Producers)
Mike Armitage, A Bar Ranch, Claremore
Stanley Barby, Past President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Russell Boles, Southeast District Vice President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Matt Boyer, Beacon Hill Farms
Ruth Coffey, President, Oklahoma CattleWomen
Jim Dismukes, Dismukes Ranch, Checotah
Cara Gerken, Gerken Family Farms, Kingfisher
Madelyn Gerken, President, Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen's Association
Weston Givens, President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Jeff Hammonds, Director, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Ray Heldermon, Past President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Shari Holloway, President, Tri-County Cattlemen's Association
Jess Kane, Northeast District Vice President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Dr. Charles Nichols, Past President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Lucas Reinhardt - Director, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Virginia Rogers, North Central District Vice President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Troy Shelby, South Central District Vice President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Darrel Sheppard, Northwest District Vice President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Charlie Swanson, Immediate Past President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Mike Weeks, President-elect, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
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