Agricultural News
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard Slated to Speak at Upcoming Oklahoma Independent Stock Growers Assoc. Meeting
Wed, 26 Jun 2019 13:34:18 CDT
Within the last 15 years or so, 20 percent of America's cattlemen have closed their operations. Even worse, 75 percent of all U. S. cattle feedlots have exited the industry. Forty Eight US beef packing plants have exited the industry, and new entrants are almost non- existent. Since 2014, the American beef cow herd has declined to the lowest level in seven decades. Today, American ranchers own three million fewer cattle than in 1994. Cull cow prices are at "give away" prices, calf prices are low and there are charges that there is manipulation in the fed cattle market. Hard economic times are present on American ranches, and Oklahoma ranchers are suffering along with the rest of the country.
One of the nation's leaders in attempting to bring about change in packing plants, meat imports, Beef Check-off programs, tariffs and the Mexico and Canada trade is R CALF (Ranchers-Cattleman Action Legal Fund). R CALF is the largest producer only non- profit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the US cattle industry. To update southeastern Oklahoma ranchers, OISGA has made arrangements for national leader Bill Bullard, CEO of R CALF, to speak Saturday, July 13, 2019, at Murray State College. Brad Hutchinson of Chain Ranches stated, "Bill Bullard has been the cornerstone in the difficult fight to improve the profitability of the cattle industry. If you are concerned about your children's or grandchildren's future in agriculture, you need to attend this meeting". Also speaking will be William Payne of Destiny Ranch who markets meat directly to the consumer.
Speaker Charles McCall, Senator Frank Simpson and Senator David Bullard and several other legislators will also be attending the meeting. Speaker McCall said, "Oklahoma agriculture is a major partner in the economic performance of the Oklahoma economy. It is very important to have a strong and viable cattle industry to support the financial base of Oklahoma ranchers."
R CALF has recently filed a lawsuit against Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill and National Beef Packing Company and their affiliates alleging that they have violated the US Antitrust laws, the Packers and Stockyards Act and the Commodity Exchange Act by unlawfully depressing the prices paid to American ranchers for their cattle. In addition, R CALF is urging Attorney William Barr to block the proposed acquisition of Iowa Beef Packer by National Beef. National Beef is now owned by Brazilian based Marfrig Global Foods, and the consolidation will substantially reduce competition. For over a decade R CALF has fought to reform the national beef checkoff program. Recently, a US District Court for the District of Montana affirmed a ruling that the Checkoff program as currently administrated violates the First Amendment. Oklahoma ranchers recently rejected a proposal for a second Beef Checkoff dollar.
Jerry Nine, Woodard livestock owner, set the tone for this special OISGA meeting by saying, "You say, I am only a small operator and nobody is going to listen to me. I feel the same way at times, but I also see what happens if we do nothing." Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 13, at 6 pm at Murray State College in Tishomingo, OK, and enjoy a little county music, Bar B Q and listen to national R CALF CEO, Bill Bullard.
For questions about the content of this release or the July 13 conference, contact Public Information Officer at 580-371-6677 or e mail roundrockranch7@yahoo.com
Source - Oklahoma Independent Stock Growers Association
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