Big Muddy rancher
Well-known member
June 19, 2001
America's livestock markets 'last hope' for price discovery, new LMA President Goggins says
OKLAHOMA CITY -- America's livestock markets "are the last hope (for) price discovery and profit for cow-calf operators," Patrick K. Goggins, the new president of Livestock Marketing Association, said here at LMA's recent annual meeting.
Describing the many forces aligned against the independent producer, he said, "We, as market operators, cannot let the livestock grower down. We must continue to create price. We must create value, and through advertising and sorting of cattle...we can and do add value to the product."
Goggins, a well-known purebred breeder, has owned and operated Public Auction Yards in Billings, Mont., since 1968. His many business enterprises also include the weekly newspapers, "Western Livestock Reporter," and "Agri-News." A long-time supporter of youth activities, he and his wife, Babe, have six children and 16 grandchildren.
In addition to Goggins, LMA's officer corps for 2001-2002 includes President-elect Billy Perrin, Ada, Okla.; Vice President Charles Messer, Asheville, N.C.; Treasurer Randy Patterson, Anthony, Kan.; and Secretary Steve Bartholomew, Fayetteville, Ark. Eight directors were also installed during the June 15 meeting.
Goggins, known as an outspoken advocate of competitive marketing, said three "cartels," of the major livestock feeders, packers and retailers, "want to eliminate auction markets across America. You know why? Very simple: we discover and create prices, and we are a thorn in the side of the pricing system. In other words," he said in remarks prepared for delivery, "we tend to make their raw product cost too much.
"But you and I represent the farmer and the rancher and the small independent growers of grass, food and fiber across America. It's our duty to get a fair price for their products. We know the only way you're going to get a string price, a consistent price, is through competitive bidding."
Goggins traced the history of the pork and poultry industries, from the days of independent producers to today, when price competition has virtually been eliminated. "And now the cattle industry is in the center of the bullseye and (packers) are working very hard at eliminating price discovery in cattle." If the marketing sector lets this happen, "we will surely lose our industry as we know it."
Goggins urged his fellow market operators to fight back by going back home "and talking about price discovery and what the auction method means to your community, your farmers, your ranchers and your local businesses...are you willing to defend your business and your livelihood?"
When you go back home, he told his audience, "Make sure you're committed to selling the auction way. Make sure you're committed to doing it better than you did last time, because if you do, the auction method will thrive forever."
LMA's newly-elected directors, serving three-year terms, are Max Olvera, Galt, Calif.; Jim Santomaso, Sterling, Colo.; Mike Tasler, Atkinson, Neb.; Bobby D. Smith, Fairview, Okla.; E.H. Fowler, Sedalia, Mo.; Jack Green, Roanoke, Ala.; and Ken Hurlburt, Farm Macleod, Alberta, Canada. Serving a one-year term as director at large is Bill Stockton, Albuquerque, N.M. Immediate past president John Willis, Lake City, Fla., becomes chairman of the board.
LMA represents the interests of independent livestock marketing businesses across North America.
America's livestock markets 'last hope' for price discovery, new LMA President Goggins says
OKLAHOMA CITY -- America's livestock markets "are the last hope (for) price discovery and profit for cow-calf operators," Patrick K. Goggins, the new president of Livestock Marketing Association, said here at LMA's recent annual meeting.
Describing the many forces aligned against the independent producer, he said, "We, as market operators, cannot let the livestock grower down. We must continue to create price. We must create value, and through advertising and sorting of cattle...we can and do add value to the product."
Goggins, a well-known purebred breeder, has owned and operated Public Auction Yards in Billings, Mont., since 1968. His many business enterprises also include the weekly newspapers, "Western Livestock Reporter," and "Agri-News." A long-time supporter of youth activities, he and his wife, Babe, have six children and 16 grandchildren.
In addition to Goggins, LMA's officer corps for 2001-2002 includes President-elect Billy Perrin, Ada, Okla.; Vice President Charles Messer, Asheville, N.C.; Treasurer Randy Patterson, Anthony, Kan.; and Secretary Steve Bartholomew, Fayetteville, Ark. Eight directors were also installed during the June 15 meeting.
Goggins, known as an outspoken advocate of competitive marketing, said three "cartels," of the major livestock feeders, packers and retailers, "want to eliminate auction markets across America. You know why? Very simple: we discover and create prices, and we are a thorn in the side of the pricing system. In other words," he said in remarks prepared for delivery, "we tend to make their raw product cost too much.
"But you and I represent the farmer and the rancher and the small independent growers of grass, food and fiber across America. It's our duty to get a fair price for their products. We know the only way you're going to get a string price, a consistent price, is through competitive bidding."
Goggins traced the history of the pork and poultry industries, from the days of independent producers to today, when price competition has virtually been eliminated. "And now the cattle industry is in the center of the bullseye and (packers) are working very hard at eliminating price discovery in cattle." If the marketing sector lets this happen, "we will surely lose our industry as we know it."
Goggins urged his fellow market operators to fight back by going back home "and talking about price discovery and what the auction method means to your community, your farmers, your ranchers and your local businesses...are you willing to defend your business and your livelihood?"
When you go back home, he told his audience, "Make sure you're committed to selling the auction way. Make sure you're committed to doing it better than you did last time, because if you do, the auction method will thrive forever."
LMA's newly-elected directors, serving three-year terms, are Max Olvera, Galt, Calif.; Jim Santomaso, Sterling, Colo.; Mike Tasler, Atkinson, Neb.; Bobby D. Smith, Fairview, Okla.; E.H. Fowler, Sedalia, Mo.; Jack Green, Roanoke, Ala.; and Ken Hurlburt, Farm Macleod, Alberta, Canada. Serving a one-year term as director at large is Bill Stockton, Albuquerque, N.M. Immediate past president John Willis, Lake City, Fla., becomes chairman of the board.
LMA represents the interests of independent livestock marketing businesses across North America.