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Today 3/10/2006 10:07:00 AM
R-CALF: New State Affiliate Organization Forms in Ohio
(Zanesville, Ohio) – Buckeye Quality Beef Association Inc. (BQBA) has become the newest Ohio cattlemen's organization, as well as the newest affiliate organization of R-CALF USA. R-CALF USA Co-Founder and Former President Leo McDonnell spoke to about 80 producers at BQBA's kick-off fund-raiser at Muskingum Livestock Auction where more than $3,000 for R-CALF USA and BQBA was contributed.
McDonnell opened the evening by stating that R-CALF USA is the most progressive national cattle-producer organization representing independent, forward thinking cattlemen.
"This is a great industry, but at times we are too entrenched in old thoughts and ways," McDonnell said. "Obstructionist actions by USDA and NCBA are blocking you from testing cattle for Japan so you can meet international consumer demand, and it has cost the U.S. cattle industry and some of your more progressive packers billions and billions of dollars.
"A global market is no different than our domestic market, and the consumer is king," McDonnell continued. "Continued obstructionism to Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) and fair trade policy will weigh heavy on U.S. cattle producers in the very near future."
R-CALF USA Ohio Membership Chair and BQBA President David Hutchins donated a pure-blood, Angus bull for the fund-raiser. BQBA Vice President Larry Queen donated a hind quarter of beef for the event.
"We now have an established voice and identity with the cattle industry in Ohio," said Hutchins. "We have created an avenue to create opportunities for future endeavors.
"It gives us an official identity to deal with cattle industry issues in Ohio," noted Hutchins. "R-CALF is having influence east of the Mississippi.
"There is a significant opportunity for R-CALF in the eastern United States because of the population," continued Hutchins. "We have the western membership, and a southeastern field coordinator, so the untapped area is in the east."
"We need to get more members in Ohio, which we will do with the new affiliate," said Queen. "More members would increase our opportunity to distinguish our product with a country-of-origin label.
"Trade liberalization that reduces our firewalls by lowering our import standards could accelerate potential exposure of the U.S. cattle herd to foreign diseases," continued Queen. "That's why groups like R-CALF, that are trying to maintain historically conservative high standards, are so important to producers such as myself."
"Trade issues are important," noted BQBA Director Craig George. "Imports from Canada that other countries have banned have been affecting the producers in Ohio.
"When your imports outweigh your exports, you have a problem," continued George. "COOL would help because when people go to the supermarket, they are going to buy U.S. beef."
"We wanted to get more people interested in our affiliate and R-CALF," said BQBA Director Lee Lapp. "We need to get COOL implemented rather than national Animal ID because it will help me more as a producer."
McDonnell said he was excited to see R-CALF USA stretching into new territory and said he expects growth in BQBA to be rapid because of the group's enthusiasm and dedication.
"It was just over a year ago when Dave Hutchins became a member of R-CALF, and he told me he planned to take our message to cattle producers in every corner of the state and educate them as to which organization is truly – and exclusively – working on their behalf," McDonnell recalled. "He got a couple of other cattle producers to jump on board, and look at what they've accomplished in such a short amount of time.
"And for these folks to contribute so much at a debut event tells me Ohio producers recognize what needs to be done to successfully deal with the many issues facing the domestic cattle industry these days," McDonnell continued. "R-CALF thanks you for the support, and we're glad to have you on board."
Becky Palombo, of West Mansfield, is the secretary. Trevor and Chelsi Stover, of Lexington, serve as treasurers for the new organization. For more information about BQBA you may contact David Hutchins at 937-246-6374.
R-CALF: New State Affiliate Organization Forms in Ohio
(Zanesville, Ohio) – Buckeye Quality Beef Association Inc. (BQBA) has become the newest Ohio cattlemen's organization, as well as the newest affiliate organization of R-CALF USA. R-CALF USA Co-Founder and Former President Leo McDonnell spoke to about 80 producers at BQBA's kick-off fund-raiser at Muskingum Livestock Auction where more than $3,000 for R-CALF USA and BQBA was contributed.
McDonnell opened the evening by stating that R-CALF USA is the most progressive national cattle-producer organization representing independent, forward thinking cattlemen.
"This is a great industry, but at times we are too entrenched in old thoughts and ways," McDonnell said. "Obstructionist actions by USDA and NCBA are blocking you from testing cattle for Japan so you can meet international consumer demand, and it has cost the U.S. cattle industry and some of your more progressive packers billions and billions of dollars.
"A global market is no different than our domestic market, and the consumer is king," McDonnell continued. "Continued obstructionism to Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL) and fair trade policy will weigh heavy on U.S. cattle producers in the very near future."
R-CALF USA Ohio Membership Chair and BQBA President David Hutchins donated a pure-blood, Angus bull for the fund-raiser. BQBA Vice President Larry Queen donated a hind quarter of beef for the event.
"We now have an established voice and identity with the cattle industry in Ohio," said Hutchins. "We have created an avenue to create opportunities for future endeavors.
"It gives us an official identity to deal with cattle industry issues in Ohio," noted Hutchins. "R-CALF is having influence east of the Mississippi.
"There is a significant opportunity for R-CALF in the eastern United States because of the population," continued Hutchins. "We have the western membership, and a southeastern field coordinator, so the untapped area is in the east."
"We need to get more members in Ohio, which we will do with the new affiliate," said Queen. "More members would increase our opportunity to distinguish our product with a country-of-origin label.
"Trade liberalization that reduces our firewalls by lowering our import standards could accelerate potential exposure of the U.S. cattle herd to foreign diseases," continued Queen. "That's why groups like R-CALF, that are trying to maintain historically conservative high standards, are so important to producers such as myself."
"Trade issues are important," noted BQBA Director Craig George. "Imports from Canada that other countries have banned have been affecting the producers in Ohio.
"When your imports outweigh your exports, you have a problem," continued George. "COOL would help because when people go to the supermarket, they are going to buy U.S. beef."
"We wanted to get more people interested in our affiliate and R-CALF," said BQBA Director Lee Lapp. "We need to get COOL implemented rather than national Animal ID because it will help me more as a producer."
McDonnell said he was excited to see R-CALF USA stretching into new territory and said he expects growth in BQBA to be rapid because of the group's enthusiasm and dedication.
"It was just over a year ago when Dave Hutchins became a member of R-CALF, and he told me he planned to take our message to cattle producers in every corner of the state and educate them as to which organization is truly – and exclusively – working on their behalf," McDonnell recalled. "He got a couple of other cattle producers to jump on board, and look at what they've accomplished in such a short amount of time.
"And for these folks to contribute so much at a debut event tells me Ohio producers recognize what needs to be done to successfully deal with the many issues facing the domestic cattle industry these days," McDonnell continued. "R-CALF thanks you for the support, and we're glad to have you on board."
Becky Palombo, of West Mansfield, is the secretary. Trevor and Chelsi Stover, of Lexington, serve as treasurers for the new organization. For more information about BQBA you may contact David Hutchins at 937-246-6374.