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Anonymous
Guest
$30,000 Fund-Raiser Shows Support is Alive and Well
Caldwell, Idaho – Results from the 4th annual rollover calf sale, auction and dinner at Treasure Valley Livestock Auction here show that support for R-CALF USA is alive and well. Ron Davison and Bill Davison own the sale barn and have hosted R-CALF USA fund-raisers for several years.
Jerry and Linda Miller, of Crane, Ore., donated the steer calf for the event, which raised more than $9,000. An additional $4,000 was raised through the generous donations of other auctioned livestock. The day's events generated a total of $30,000-plus, which will enable R-CALF USA to continue to provide the leadership with the tools necessary to carry out membership policy developed for the betterment of the industry.
R-CALF USA Co-Founder/Past Region III Director Herman Schumacher, who spoke at the event, said he thinks cattle producers in Idaho and Oregon are fortunate to have an auction yard that supports producers and R-CALF USA the way the Davisons do.
"I don't know of any auction yard that has been more generous than Treasure Valley," said Schumacher, who previously owned a sale barn in Herreid, S.D. "They not only interrupted their regularly scheduled sale to include the roll-over auction, but they bought the roll-over calf, donated 1,000 board feet of lumber, and most important of all, donated half their commission for the entire day's sale to R-CALF. That's pretty doggone impressive."
Ron Davison said he does not mind the interruption to Treasure Valley Livestock's sale because his family knows how important it is to keep producers on the land.
"Because without them, we won't be in business either," he said. "We believe R-CALF USA is making a positive impact on the direction of the U.S. cattle industry, and we think supporting R-CALF is the right thing to do and that's why we do it."
R-CALF USA Vice President/Region II Director Randy Stevenson also spoke at the event and said he was impressed with the generosity of all the contributors and the volunteers who worked to make it a success.
R-CALF USA Region I Director Margene Eiguren said a highlight of the day was when Stevenson spoke to the crowd about the recent leadership changes within R-CALF USA.
"The changes came about as a result of the minority of the R-CALF board disagreeing with the majority of the board over membership-set policy," Stevenson explained. "Our members have created clear, concise and action-oriented policies on issues affecting their industry. R-CALF policy – as voted on by our 15,000 members – directed the board to challenge and stop USDA from relaxing our border restrictions, and that's exactly what the majority of the board was in favor of doing, following those policies without exception. The minority disagreed, and rather than continue to work with the majority, they elected to leave. That was the main contention within R-CALF.
"Although R-CALF USA has been criticized for being an organization too quick to litigate, the cattle-producer sector of the industry is in a position where it is necessary for them to fight to capture their competitive share of the consumer beef dollar in both our domestic and international markets in order to survive," he continued. "To do that, we must transform current policies that tilt the balance of power away from packers and processors and toward cattle producers. We have been successful in elevating the voice of independent producers because we have demonstrated our resolve not to back off. We will continue to purse these reforms aggressively.
"It was encouraging to hear from producers here in Caldwell that they appreciate R-CALF's firm stance on the issues," Stevenson said. "There was overwhelming agreement from those I spoke with that the reason they joined R-CALF was that R-CALF is willing to stand up for them and to use every legal and ethical tool at our disposal. These folks out in the Northwest who have been hit with a lot of legal challenges over water rights and environmental issues know that you cannot negotiate with agencies. They know your only chance for victory comes from a position of strength, and strength comes from the potential of, or actual, litigation."
Eiguren emphasized that R-CALF USA is a member-driven organization.
"We have been successful because of you," she told the crowd. "On important issues like COOL, it is you – the members – who have brought these issues to the forefront. Constituent contact to Congress is the most important ingredient in passing and implementing necessary competition reforms that will make up the competition title in the 2007 Farm Bill. Our committed and involved membership is what makes R-CALF USA so successful.
Bill Lowry, an R-CALF USA member from Jordan Valley, Ore., commented that it was obvious what a positive effect R-CALF USA's position against USDA's over 30 month (OTM) rule is having on our U.S. cull cow and bull markets.
"There can be no doubt that R-CALF USA's efforts and actions have been responsible for our strong markets, and U.S. producers have R-CALF to thank," he said.
"Support for R-CALF USA was strong here today," said Schumacher, in conclusion of the festivities. "The cattle-producer sector of the U.S. cattle industry didn't get to the position they're in overnight, and we won't solve all of our problems overnight, either. R-CALF USA, through the guidance of membership, is working hard to solve those problems and it will continue to grow stronger than ever in terms of membership, and in political and economic influence."
Thank you to all of the supporters of this event: Jerry and Linda Miller-Crane, of Ore.; Joyce Capital, Boise, Idaho; Jaca Livestock Co., Murphy, Idaho; Sean and Andrea Burch, of Nampa, Idaho; Bennie Goitiondia, of Kuna, Idaho; Morgan Ranches, Jordan Valley, Ore.; Oregon Trail Livestock Supply, Baker City, Ore.; Gillette Livestock, Ontario, Ore.; Mark and Wendy Joyce, of Juntura, Ore.; Norman and Joan Mason, of Homedale, Idaho; Pitchfork Ranching Co., Homedale, Idaho; Orville and Faye Russell, of Prairie, Idaho; Neil and Sandra Helmick, of Boise, Idaho; L.G. Davison and Sons, Prairie, Idaho; Treasure Valley Livestock Auction, Caldwell, Idaho; Tim and Staci VanOstran, of Caldwell, Idaho; Shannon's Tire, Caldwell, Idaho; Bruce Ranch, Jordan Valley, Ore.; Thomas Cattle, Homedale, Idaho; Bell A Grazing Co-Op, Burns, Ore.; Intermountain Community Bank, Caldwell, Idaho; Gazelle Land and Timber, Canyon City Ore.; Old West Credit Union, John Day, Ore.; Steve Russell, of Harper, Ore.; William and Nita Lowry, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Tim and Rosemary Lowry, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Robert and Terry Fretwell, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Gregory King, of Homedale, Ore.; Ralph McDaniel, of Parma, Idaho; David and Lisa MacKenzie, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Jason and Jane Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Stewart Accounting, Nampa, Idaho; Tony Bott, of Caldwell, Idaho; Mike and Elaine Smith, of Prairie City, Ore.; Richard Lord, of Mountain Home, Idaho; Kirk and Andree Scown, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Seventy Six Livestock, Notus, Idaho; Dan D. Blele, of Notus, Idaho; Timothy Joyce, of Vale, Ore.; Ernest McNeil, of Nampa, Idaho; Richard and Marcia Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Douglas Rutan, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Zion Bank, Wilder, Idaho; Paul's Market, Caldwell, Idaho; Wayne and Midge Smith, of Burns, Ore.; Doug and Janice Burgess, of Homedale, Idaho; Kathleen Mendiola, of Nampa, Idaho; Sandhollow Livestock, Caldwell, Idaho; Farmers and Merchants Bank, Nampa, Idaho; Joe Simunich, of Meridian, Idaho; Pape Ranches, Emmett, Idaho; Banner Bank, Boise, Idaho; Judith Boyle, of Midvale, Idaho; Lequerica Brothers, Arock, Ore.; J.T. Hanks, of Caldwell, Idaho; Richard and Margene Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Farm City, Nampa, Idaho, and Caldwell, Idaho; Nampa Livestock Markets, Nampa, Idaho; Oregon Livestock Producer Association, Jordan Valley, Ore.; RC Bean Saddlery, Meridian, Idaho; Idaho's Cowboy Supply, Caldwell, Idaho; Dave Hack Chaps, Meridian, Idaho; Tim Thibert Designs, Caldwell, Idaho; Apple Cart Chains, Jordan Valley, Ore.; Dion Burch, of Caldwell, Idaho; Energy Feeds, Meridian, Idaho; Canyon Honda, Nampa, Idaho; Beck's Spray Service, Ontario, Ore.; Grizzly Sports, Caldwell, Idaho; D and B Supply, Ontario, Ore.; Easterday Transportation, Jordan Valley, Ore.; Gary Miller, of Frenchglen, Ore.; Gordon King, of Oreana, Idaho; Monte Pierce, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Andre Ranch, Arock, Ore.; and, Fred and Kristie Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore.
Caldwell, Idaho – Results from the 4th annual rollover calf sale, auction and dinner at Treasure Valley Livestock Auction here show that support for R-CALF USA is alive and well. Ron Davison and Bill Davison own the sale barn and have hosted R-CALF USA fund-raisers for several years.
Jerry and Linda Miller, of Crane, Ore., donated the steer calf for the event, which raised more than $9,000. An additional $4,000 was raised through the generous donations of other auctioned livestock. The day's events generated a total of $30,000-plus, which will enable R-CALF USA to continue to provide the leadership with the tools necessary to carry out membership policy developed for the betterment of the industry.
R-CALF USA Co-Founder/Past Region III Director Herman Schumacher, who spoke at the event, said he thinks cattle producers in Idaho and Oregon are fortunate to have an auction yard that supports producers and R-CALF USA the way the Davisons do.
"I don't know of any auction yard that has been more generous than Treasure Valley," said Schumacher, who previously owned a sale barn in Herreid, S.D. "They not only interrupted their regularly scheduled sale to include the roll-over auction, but they bought the roll-over calf, donated 1,000 board feet of lumber, and most important of all, donated half their commission for the entire day's sale to R-CALF. That's pretty doggone impressive."
Ron Davison said he does not mind the interruption to Treasure Valley Livestock's sale because his family knows how important it is to keep producers on the land.
"Because without them, we won't be in business either," he said. "We believe R-CALF USA is making a positive impact on the direction of the U.S. cattle industry, and we think supporting R-CALF is the right thing to do and that's why we do it."
R-CALF USA Vice President/Region II Director Randy Stevenson also spoke at the event and said he was impressed with the generosity of all the contributors and the volunteers who worked to make it a success.
R-CALF USA Region I Director Margene Eiguren said a highlight of the day was when Stevenson spoke to the crowd about the recent leadership changes within R-CALF USA.
"The changes came about as a result of the minority of the R-CALF board disagreeing with the majority of the board over membership-set policy," Stevenson explained. "Our members have created clear, concise and action-oriented policies on issues affecting their industry. R-CALF policy – as voted on by our 15,000 members – directed the board to challenge and stop USDA from relaxing our border restrictions, and that's exactly what the majority of the board was in favor of doing, following those policies without exception. The minority disagreed, and rather than continue to work with the majority, they elected to leave. That was the main contention within R-CALF.
"Although R-CALF USA has been criticized for being an organization too quick to litigate, the cattle-producer sector of the industry is in a position where it is necessary for them to fight to capture their competitive share of the consumer beef dollar in both our domestic and international markets in order to survive," he continued. "To do that, we must transform current policies that tilt the balance of power away from packers and processors and toward cattle producers. We have been successful in elevating the voice of independent producers because we have demonstrated our resolve not to back off. We will continue to purse these reforms aggressively.
"It was encouraging to hear from producers here in Caldwell that they appreciate R-CALF's firm stance on the issues," Stevenson said. "There was overwhelming agreement from those I spoke with that the reason they joined R-CALF was that R-CALF is willing to stand up for them and to use every legal and ethical tool at our disposal. These folks out in the Northwest who have been hit with a lot of legal challenges over water rights and environmental issues know that you cannot negotiate with agencies. They know your only chance for victory comes from a position of strength, and strength comes from the potential of, or actual, litigation."
Eiguren emphasized that R-CALF USA is a member-driven organization.
"We have been successful because of you," she told the crowd. "On important issues like COOL, it is you – the members – who have brought these issues to the forefront. Constituent contact to Congress is the most important ingredient in passing and implementing necessary competition reforms that will make up the competition title in the 2007 Farm Bill. Our committed and involved membership is what makes R-CALF USA so successful.
Bill Lowry, an R-CALF USA member from Jordan Valley, Ore., commented that it was obvious what a positive effect R-CALF USA's position against USDA's over 30 month (OTM) rule is having on our U.S. cull cow and bull markets.
"There can be no doubt that R-CALF USA's efforts and actions have been responsible for our strong markets, and U.S. producers have R-CALF to thank," he said.
"Support for R-CALF USA was strong here today," said Schumacher, in conclusion of the festivities. "The cattle-producer sector of the U.S. cattle industry didn't get to the position they're in overnight, and we won't solve all of our problems overnight, either. R-CALF USA, through the guidance of membership, is working hard to solve those problems and it will continue to grow stronger than ever in terms of membership, and in political and economic influence."
Thank you to all of the supporters of this event: Jerry and Linda Miller-Crane, of Ore.; Joyce Capital, Boise, Idaho; Jaca Livestock Co., Murphy, Idaho; Sean and Andrea Burch, of Nampa, Idaho; Bennie Goitiondia, of Kuna, Idaho; Morgan Ranches, Jordan Valley, Ore.; Oregon Trail Livestock Supply, Baker City, Ore.; Gillette Livestock, Ontario, Ore.; Mark and Wendy Joyce, of Juntura, Ore.; Norman and Joan Mason, of Homedale, Idaho; Pitchfork Ranching Co., Homedale, Idaho; Orville and Faye Russell, of Prairie, Idaho; Neil and Sandra Helmick, of Boise, Idaho; L.G. Davison and Sons, Prairie, Idaho; Treasure Valley Livestock Auction, Caldwell, Idaho; Tim and Staci VanOstran, of Caldwell, Idaho; Shannon's Tire, Caldwell, Idaho; Bruce Ranch, Jordan Valley, Ore.; Thomas Cattle, Homedale, Idaho; Bell A Grazing Co-Op, Burns, Ore.; Intermountain Community Bank, Caldwell, Idaho; Gazelle Land and Timber, Canyon City Ore.; Old West Credit Union, John Day, Ore.; Steve Russell, of Harper, Ore.; William and Nita Lowry, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Tim and Rosemary Lowry, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Robert and Terry Fretwell, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Gregory King, of Homedale, Ore.; Ralph McDaniel, of Parma, Idaho; David and Lisa MacKenzie, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Jason and Jane Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Stewart Accounting, Nampa, Idaho; Tony Bott, of Caldwell, Idaho; Mike and Elaine Smith, of Prairie City, Ore.; Richard Lord, of Mountain Home, Idaho; Kirk and Andree Scown, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Seventy Six Livestock, Notus, Idaho; Dan D. Blele, of Notus, Idaho; Timothy Joyce, of Vale, Ore.; Ernest McNeil, of Nampa, Idaho; Richard and Marcia Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Douglas Rutan, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Zion Bank, Wilder, Idaho; Paul's Market, Caldwell, Idaho; Wayne and Midge Smith, of Burns, Ore.; Doug and Janice Burgess, of Homedale, Idaho; Kathleen Mendiola, of Nampa, Idaho; Sandhollow Livestock, Caldwell, Idaho; Farmers and Merchants Bank, Nampa, Idaho; Joe Simunich, of Meridian, Idaho; Pape Ranches, Emmett, Idaho; Banner Bank, Boise, Idaho; Judith Boyle, of Midvale, Idaho; Lequerica Brothers, Arock, Ore.; J.T. Hanks, of Caldwell, Idaho; Richard and Margene Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Farm City, Nampa, Idaho, and Caldwell, Idaho; Nampa Livestock Markets, Nampa, Idaho; Oregon Livestock Producer Association, Jordan Valley, Ore.; RC Bean Saddlery, Meridian, Idaho; Idaho's Cowboy Supply, Caldwell, Idaho; Dave Hack Chaps, Meridian, Idaho; Tim Thibert Designs, Caldwell, Idaho; Apple Cart Chains, Jordan Valley, Ore.; Dion Burch, of Caldwell, Idaho; Energy Feeds, Meridian, Idaho; Canyon Honda, Nampa, Idaho; Beck's Spray Service, Ontario, Ore.; Grizzly Sports, Caldwell, Idaho; D and B Supply, Ontario, Ore.; Easterday Transportation, Jordan Valley, Ore.; Gary Miller, of Frenchglen, Ore.; Gordon King, of Oreana, Idaho; Monte Pierce, of Jordan Valley, Ore.; Andre Ranch, Arock, Ore.; and, Fred and Kristie Eiguren, of Jordan Valley, Ore.
I guess if your bank deposits dropped by over 46% in just two years, you'd be happy about that? Maybe if you had a customer come in and tell you that his revenue was down by 46% in two years, you'd probably pat him on the back and tell him it was okay because calf prices were down? :lol:
