• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Ranchers.net

April 20, 2005



North Dakota Fund-Raiser Generates Thousands


(Mandan, N.D.) - The Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (I-BAND), an affiliate organization of R-CALF USA, and Duppong's Willow Creek Ranch recently hosted R-CALF USA Co-Founder and Past President Leo McDonnell at a fund-raiser held at Kist Livestock Auction where dozens of contributors generously gave more than $12,000.



"This industry is at a crossroads on whether we are going to have open, competitive markets, or continue the trend toward a more socialized market arena," said McDonnell. "Whether we are going to have responsible, enhancing trade policy for our industry, or continue with the extremists' free trade policy, which has taken U.S. agriculture from a $28 billion trade surplus to a trade deficit in 2005.



"The industry will decide whether U.S. producers and consumers will have product transparency in food, or if we will continue to allow the importers to mask imported product as U.S. product, and whether we will trade at the same level or if the U.S. will continue to be locked open while other foreign markets are closed, making the U.S. a dumping ground for beef products other countries have banned," he continued. "So far, only one national group has continually stood up and carried the torch for U.S. ranchers and Rural America. That is R-CALF USA."



I-BAND President Patrick Becker, who also serves as R-CALF USA's North Dakota membership co-chair, said McDonnell explained the success R-CALF USA has helped the cattle industry achieve, as well as face head-on the challenges the industry continues to face.



"Leo spoke about how we need trade harmonization to give cattle producers a level playing field," said Becker, of Selfridge. "He stated that we are at a crossroads now, with declining markets coupled with increasing imports, as well as virtually no open export markets. We must ask our elected officials what they can do for U.S. cattle producers and volunteer to help them any way we can to release the stranglehold the packers have on our industry."



R-CALF USA North Dakota Membership Co-Chair James Schmidt, of Menoken, said McDonnell's speech about the present state of the cattle industry was very sobering, and the audience proved it with a standing ovation when McDonnell was finished.



"As long as we remain a dumping ground for other countries, our export markets will not be restored," said Schmidt. "Free trade is hurting our domestic markets. We do not want to give access to gain access."



I-BAND Director Kenny Graner, of Mandan, said he appreciates R-CALF USA always standing for the truth.



"We need to heighten our standards and continue to lead the world in food health," said Graner. "To all the producers in this great United States of America, you need to get on the R-CALF express train and blow the whistle on the packers' captive supply."



I-BAND Secretary Allen Lund, of Selfridge, donated a $250 beef certificate for the fund-raiser. Butcher Block, located in Mandan, donated an $85 beef bundle.



"I believe when you have an organization such as R-CALF USA watching your back, that it is in your best interests to support them any way you can," said Lund. "We, as producers, have only to think about where the cattle industry would be today without R-CALF's support, to realize what a valuable asset this organization is."



Contributors to the fund-raiser included: Heartland Investors/Eugene Graner; Dakota Community Bank; Jim Krueger; Kist Livestock Auction Co.; Terry Duppong; McPeak Partnership/Todd McPeak; Graner Angus Ranch/Kenny Graner; Dakota Community Bank/Jim Hornbacher; Twin City Implements; Vollmer Angus Ranch/Alan Vollmer; Becker Ranch/Patrick Becker; George Brown; Arlon Voge; Kent Graham and Vance Graham; Keller Simmental/Dwight Keller; Dakota Community Bank/Jim Hornbacher; Missouri Valley Ag; Ed and John Brown; Gene Lund Trucking; Chester Brandt; Rod Froelich; Pat and Shane Carroll; Hepper Feeds; Ed Boehm; Circle Diamond; Noland and Mark Schafer; Becker Trucking/Jarrod Becker; Chris Jorde; Les Fleck; Buck and Carol Maher; Monte Becker; Hebron Farmers Elevator; Bill Adams; Diamond S Ranch; Opp Ranch; Rath Trucking; Dennis Flemmer; Hebron Veterinary Clinic; R and C Volk Trucking; Maher Ranch; Steele Veterinary Clinic; Hebron Insurance; Walter Krueger; Dennis Quivey; Quirina Schmidt; Penny Rowinski; and T.J. Schmidt.



# # #



R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on domestic and international trade and marketing issues. R-CALF USA, a national, non-profit organization, is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA's membership consists primarily of cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and feedlot owners. Its members - over 18,000 strong - are located in 47 states, and the organization has over 60 local and state association affiliates, from both cattle and farm organizations. Various main street businesses are associate members of R-CALF USA. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.
Top