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Fight for Cattle Market Reform

A

Anonymous

Guest
February 11, 2010 Phone: 406-672-8969; e-mail: [email protected]



Proposed Resolutions Push Hard for Cattle Market Reform



Billings, Mont. – Because the U.S. live cattle industry is in a rapid state of decline, R-CALF USA members who attended the group’s recent convention voted unanimously on two policy resolutions that call for total and complete enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA). All R-CALF USA members will have the opportunity this spring to vote on proposed policy via a mail-in ballot.



“I wish I could say something positive, but it’s pretty hard to when you look at the shape this industry is in,” said R-CALF USA Marketing Committee Chair Dennis Thornsberry. “Our biggest problem in this industry is captive supplies. Packers are dead-set on vertically integrating the cattle industry. They want to get to the point where they can tell us what kind of cattle we’ll be allowed to produce, what kind of bull we must turn out with our cows, what kinds of vaccinations we have to give our cattle, and then they’re going to tell you what kind of money you’re going to receive for that animal, and if you don’t like it, they’ll tell you to go sell your cattle somewhere else – but there won’t be any place else to sell.



“We’re not looking for any government bailout or stimulus money to throw at the problem,” he continued. “Let’s fix the problem by making the government enforce the PSA. We’ve got to change things, and if we don’t, I don’t think independent U.S. live cattle producers have much of a future left.”



Thornsberry said the first resolution brought forward by the marketing committee is one he hopes will clarify that Congress intended the PSA to protect individual producers from harm. Recently, courts have ruled that damage to an entire industry must be proved, rather than damage to individuals. This first proposed resolution states:



WHEREAS: recent court decisions have nullified protections afforded cattle producers under the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) by imposing standards not contained in the PSA – for example, courts have required producers to demonstrate competitive injury and harm to competition and have allowed meatpackers to claim a business justification for their otherwise unlawful actions,



THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that R-CALF USA urges clarification of the PSA to make the unlawful acts or practices by meatpackers, as enumerated by Congress in Section 192 of the PSA, unlawful on their face: 1) regardless of whether the acts or practices were actuated by intent; 2) regardless if such acts or practices caused a competitive injury or otherwise adversely affected competition; and, 3) regardless of any alleged business justification for such acts or practices.



Thornsberry said the second proposed resolution is plain language that suggests the administrator of the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration needs to be aggressive in doing his job.



“We cannot go on as an industry and still sell cattle below the cost of production, and that’s what’s taking place in this industry,” he emphasized. “We talk about prices for fed cattle. What prices? What does supply and demand have to do with our industry any more? It has nothing to do with our industry. Whenever packers control that many cattle and have committed them forward, we don’t have a market. It’s not supply and demand driven. The only way to fix this problem is to enforce the PSA, and we have to address the problem of captive supply. If we can’t do that, I think we’re done.”



The second proposed resolution from the group’s marketing committee states:



WHEREAS: The United States cattle industry has been, and continues to be, in a state of contraction,



AND WHEREAS: currently four major packers slaughter approximately 88 percent of all market-ready steers and heifers,



AND WHEREAS: these same four major packers engage in the anticompetitive practice of captive supply and the manipulation of the cash market thereof,



AND WHEREAS: the practice of captive supply eliminates competitive bidding, transparency and true price discovery in the open marketplace,



THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: R-CALF USA strenuously recommends to the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) and the Department of Justice that they immediately and vigorously enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) of 1921, thereby eliminating anticompetitive market practices including captive supply, and thereby restoring competitive bidding and transparent price discovery.



“A lot of people are frustrated and mad, or broke,” Thornsberry concluded. “There are a lot of feed yards that went out of business this year. How many more have to close? How many more people does this market situation have to break who just won’t be able to come back? That’s where we’re at today, but we can’t give up.”
 

redrobin

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
Packers are dead-set on vertically integrating the cattle industry. They want to get to the point where they can tell us what kind of cattle we’ll be allowed to produce, what kind of bull we must turn out with our cows, what kinds of vaccinations we have to give our cattle, and then they’re going to tell you what kind of money you’re going to receive for that animal, and if you don’t like it, they’ll tell you to go sell your cattle somewhere else – but there won’t be any place else to sell.



Sounds like a good deal to me. Some people like you oldtimer just can't accept change. Maybe we should tear down all the wire and run free range again, no antibiotic, etc. I am one that can realize there is more profit available to our industry than what we can capture currently if we only had more structure and less government regulations.
 

TSR

Well-known member
redrobin said:
Oldtimer said:
Packers are dead-set on vertically integrating the cattle industry. They want to get to the point where they can tell us what kind of cattle we’ll be allowed to produce, what kind of bull we must turn out with our cows, what kinds of vaccinations we have to give our cattle, and then they’re going to tell you what kind of money you’re going to receive for that animal, and if you don’t like it, they’ll tell you to go sell your cattle somewhere else – but there won’t be any place else to sell.



Sounds like a good deal to me. Some people like you oldtimer just can't accept change. Maybe we should tear down all the wire and run free range again, no antibiotic, etc. I am one that can realize there is more profit available to our industry than what we can capture currently if we only had more structure and less government regulations.

I don't guess there would be a chance (once the packers have the producers in that position) that the prices would go down? Nah, not a chance. Not with them in total control. :roll:
 

redrobin

Well-known member
TSR said:
redrobin said:
Oldtimer said:
Packers are dead-set on vertically integrating the cattle industry. They want to get to the point where they can tell us what kind of cattle we’ll be allowed to produce, what kind of bull we must turn out with our cows, what kinds of vaccinations we have to give our cattle, and then they’re going to tell you what kind of money you’re going to receive for that animal, and if you don’t like it, they’ll tell you to go sell your cattle somewhere else – but there won’t be any place else to sell.



Sounds like a good deal to me. Some people like you oldtimer just can't accept change. Maybe we should tear down all the wire and run free range again, no antibiotic, etc. I am one that can realize there is more profit available to our industry than what we can capture currently if we only had more structure and less government regulations.

I don't guess there would be a chance (once the packers have the producers in that position) that the prices would go down? Nah, not a chance. Not with them in total control. :roll:
What position? Having a contract? Don't get into a contractual relationship with anyone you can't trust.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
redrobin said:
TSR said:
redrobin said:
Sounds like a good deal to me. Some people like you oldtimer just can't accept change. Maybe we should tear down all the wire and run free range again, no antibiotic, etc. I am one that can realize there is more profit available to our industry than what we can capture currently if we only had more structure and less government regulations.

I don't guess there would be a chance (once the packers have the producers in that position) that the prices would go down? Nah, not a chance. Not with them in total control. :roll:
What position? Having a contract? Don't get into a contractual relationship with anyone you can't trust.

If there is only one left buying or offering contracts- which is pretty much the situation now in Canada- you don't have much choice in whether you trust them or not...
And that is the direction this country is heading too....
 

redrobin

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
redrobin said:
TSR said:
I don't guess there would be a chance (once the packers have the producers in that position) that the prices would go down? Nah, not a chance. Not with them in total control. :roll:
What position? Having a contract? Don't get into a contractual relationship with anyone you can't trust.

If there is only one left buying or offering contracts- which is pretty much the situation now in Canada- you don't have much choice in whether you trust them or not...
And that is the direction this country is heading too....
Back in the past before government regulations, you could kill, dress, and sell quarters down town at our local grocery store. Government regulation prohibits that. More government regs will prohibit something else.
 

leanin' H

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
redrobin said:
TSR said:
I don't guess there would be a chance (once the packers have the producers in that position) that the prices would go down? Nah, not a chance. Not with them in total control. :roll:
What position? Having a contract? Don't get into a contractual relationship with anyone you can't trust.

If there is only one left buying or offering contracts- which is pretty much the situation now in Canada- you don't have much choice in whether you trust them or not...
And that is the direction this country is heading too....

So you've spent lots of time telling Canadians it's their own fault their market has crashed and has nothing to do with the US. But now the US is heading off the same cliff? What a coincindence!!! :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
leanin' H said:
Oldtimer said:
redrobin said:
What position? Having a contract? Don't get into a contractual relationship with anyone you can't trust.

If there is only one left buying or offering contracts- which is pretty much the situation now in Canada- you don't have much choice in whether you trust them or not...
And that is the direction this country is heading too....

So you've spent lots of time telling Canadians it's their own fault their market has crashed and has nothing to do with the US. But now the US is heading off the same cliff? What a coincindence!!! :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

No coincidence- and no clairvoyance... Pretty much the way the Packer Mafia has operated for generations- had it planned-and played it out- especially lately since they have received a lot of help from those that don't believe in enforcing anti-trust laws against big corporates/multinationals ...

Leaning H- have you read Ben Roberts book? ...
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
gcreekrch said:
leanin' H said:
No i havent. Should I? :wink:


Yes, you should.

It is a real eye opener.

I agree- you have to learn the history of the Packer "mafia" to understand what they are doing- and where they are trying to go with it...

Ben asked me to pass my copy around when I was done reading it- and in all the passing nobody remembers who read it last... :shock: And I haven't talked to Ben in awhile to get his address again...
But maybe someone would repost the address where folks can get a copy....I know rkaiser has the address ( if we can drag him off stirring things against the packers on Agri-Ville :wink: ) ....
 

burnt

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
gcreekrch said:
leanin' H said:
No i havent. Should I? :wink:


Yes, you should.

It is a real eye opener.

I agree- you have to learn the history of the Packer "mafia" to understand what they are doing- and where they are trying to go with it...

Ben asked me to pass my copy around when I was done reading it- and in all the passing nobody remembers who read it last... :shock: And I haven't talked to Ben in awhile to get his address again...
But maybe someone would repost the address where folks can get a copy....I know rkaiser has the address ( if we can drag him off stirring things against the packers on Agri-Ville :wink: ) ....

ot you can do an admirable job of "stirring" merely by showing up.

What you are best at stirring up is hatred and strife.
 
A

Anonymous

Guest
burnt said:
Oldtimer said:
gcreekrch said:
Yes, you should.

It is a real eye opener.

I agree- you have to learn the history of the Packer "mafia" to understand what they are doing- and where they are trying to go with it...

Ben asked me to pass my copy around when I was done reading it- and in all the passing nobody remembers who read it last... :shock: And I haven't talked to Ben in awhile to get his address again...
But maybe someone would repost the address where folks can get a copy....I know rkaiser has the address ( if we can drag him off stirring things against the packers on Agri-Ville :wink: ) ....

ot you can do an admirable job of "stirring" merely by showing up.

What you are best at stirring up is hatred and strife.

Stirring is not all bad-- and I've got to give old rkaiser a lot of credit- he's been doing his darndest to stir up Canadians...Which is a very tough chore because they are in 20 year rut of just bending over when the multinationals and their spokesmen at ABP/CCA tell them to - and saying "that time again for us to be buddies- eh" ..

Like I posted on Agriville- and you had a littly biased hissy fit over-- there are many issues in this battle that US producers and Canadian producers should be joining together in battling-- like monopoly concentration of the packing industry- and their being allowed to falsely identify the cheapest imported product in the world as domestic product...
A young Canadian like Sheri Monk- that has went out and worked with groups in both countries- and researched the issues- can see that....But some old fogies stuffed back 50 years ago in "my granddaddy didn't do it that way" will never change....
 

burnt

Well-known member
Oldtimer said:
burnt said:
Oldtimer said:
I agree- you have to learn the history of the Packer "mafia" to understand what they are doing- and where they are trying to go with it...

Ben asked me to pass my copy around when I was done reading it- and in all the passing nobody remembers who read it last... :shock: And I haven't talked to Ben in awhile to get his address again...
But maybe someone would repost the address where folks can get a copy....I know rkaiser has the address ( if we can drag him off stirring things against the packers on Agri-Ville :wink: ) ....

ot you can do an admirable job of "stirring" merely by showing up.

What you are best at stirring up is hatred and strife.

Stirring is not all bad-- and I've got to give old rkaiser a lot of credit- he's been doing his darndest to stir up Canadians...Which is a very tough chore because they are in 20 year rut of just bending over when the multinationals and their spokesmen at ABP/CCA tell them to - and saying "that time again for us to be buddies- eh" ..

Like I posted on Agriville- and you had a littly biased hissy fit over-- there are many issues in this battle that US producers and Canadian producers should be joining together in battling-- like monopoly concentration of the packing industry- and their being allowed to falsely identify the cheapest imported product in the world as domestic product...
A young Canadian like Sheri Monk- that has went out and worked with groups in both countries- and researched the issues- can see that....But some old fogies stuffed back 50 years ago in "my granddaddy didn't do it that way" will never change....

So you also think Jesus should have cut a deal with the devil to save himself some trouble?

I didn't think you would think that!

And any thinking Canadian will not partner with a corrupt, self-serving and hypocritical organization like the slimeballs called rcalf.

Because you have shown time and again that you are only in it for yourself.

Go peddle your poison somewhere else there, snake oil salesman.

By the way, how many Canadians "over there" took you up on your offer? Hummm? What might you learn from that?
 

burnt

Well-known member
Oldtimer, I will not forget how many times over the past 7 years you (and a few other rcalf slimeballs) would laugh at the plight of Canadian cattlemen and women. Told them it was their own fault for selling out to the packers when in truth there was little they could do to prevent what was happening.

You took great pleasure in pointing, from your grandstand, at the bloodletting that was happening because you saw it as a chance to help yourself to greater opportunities. Then your own cases started showing up and you wanted to sweep it under the carpet or blame Canada.

And now when you see your own neck in the noose that you helped create, you want us to cooperate with you? Give your head a shake! You, who are the type that will shoot your own in the trenches and try to pass it off as collateral damage?

I WILL NOT FORGET!
 

HAY MAKER

Well-known member
burnt said:
Oldtimer, I will not forget how many times over the past 7 years you (and a few other rcalf slimeballs) would laugh at the plight of Canadian cattlemen and women. Told them it was their own fault for selling out to the packers when in truth there was little they could do to prevent what was happening.

You took great pleasure in pointing, from your grandstand, at the bloodletting that was happening because you saw it as a chance to help yourself to greater opportunities. Then your own cases started showing up and you wanted to sweep it under the carpet or blame Canada.

And now when you see your own neck in the noose that you helped create, you want us to cooperate with you? Give your head a shake! You, who are the type that will shoot your own in the trenches and try to pass it off as collateral damage?

I WILL NOT FORGET!

I see you got your ass in the air again............Rcalf represents cattlemen just like your CCA is supposed to represent their members.
Sometimes I think you get mad at the world and or the Lady of the house whips your onery ass and you get on here to blow off steam :D
good luck
 

burnt

Well-known member
HAY MAKER said:
leanin' H said:
No i havent. Should I? :wink:

Some friendly advice.............Stay off the bull session page.
good luck

Why would you expect others to listen to your advice when you ignore it yourself there old chappy? :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

That watering hole kick you out or something? :wink:
 

HAY MAKER

Well-known member
burnt said:
HAY MAKER said:
leanin' H said:
No i havent. Should I? :wink:

Some friendly advice.............Stay off the bull session page.
good luck

Why would you expect others to listen to your advice when you ignore it yourself there old chappy? :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

That watering hole kick you out or something? :wink:

Give me an example or 2 ?
good luck
 

burnt

Well-known member
HAY MAKER said:
burnt said:
HAY MAKER said:
Some friendly advice.............Stay off the bull session page.
good luck

Why would you expect others to listen to your advice when you ignore it yourself there old chappy? :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

That watering hole kick you out or something? :wink:

Give me an example or 2 ?
good luck

Now THAT was really funny cuz I just did!! :lol2: :lol2:
 
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