A
Anonymous
Guest
BILLINGS, MONT. (April 10, 2006) Dozens of Illinois cattle producers heard R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard speak at two recent meetings in Kewanee, Ill., and Streator, Ill. Many producers joined the organization and raised more than $3,000 to help continue the association's work on behalf of independent cattle producers.
"We're finding exceptional response from producers at these meetings and we've got more people joining R-CALF at these events than ever before," said Bullard. "This shows that producers understand how important the issues R-CALF is addressing are to the future of their U.S. cattle industry, and that they want a strong national voice to exclusively represent their segment of the beef-supply chain."
R-CALF USA Illinois Membership Chair Clayton Casteel, of Cambridge, Ill., organized the Kewanee meeting and echoed Bullard's sentiments.
"Questions from participants centered on animal identification and the implementation of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL)," noted Casteel. "R-CALF is working to help producers label their own beef."
Kevin Lindley, of Minonk, Ill., acknowledged that many area producers are not familiar with R-CALF USA, but said Bullard's speech laid out the issues the organization stands for.
"He also spoke about the proposed National Animal ID program and its pros and cons, which answered a lot of questions for cattlemen here in Illinois who were wondering how Premise ID fit into the program," said Lindley.
"We're trying to spread awareness of R-CALF around the state because of its representation of the independent U.S. cattle producer," continued Lindley. "Most producers sell their cattle through the sale barns, so that's where we're going to make an impact."
Organizers and meal sponsors for the Streator meeting were Fred and Debby Baker, of Streator; George and Anita Lukach, also of Streator; Ruben and Tara Dittmer, of Marseilles, Ill.; and Ken Beck, of Mendota, Ill.
"Everyone needs to hear what R-CALF has to say," said Fred Baker, a member of R-CALF USA's Marketing Committee and Checkoff Committee. "R-CALF's one-man/one-vote policy is very attractive for independent producers.
"Many people at the meeting said that Bill's speech was the most dynamic speech on the cattle industry that they had ever heard," Baker continued. "He told us what needed to be done in the cattle industry and backed it up with facts."
Beck said he thinks R-CALF is delivering a message to take back agriculture in this country.
"We also need to educate U.S. consumers about the increasing amount of our food imports and ask them if they want to outsource their food or keep their dollar at home," said Beck.
"At last, we have someone speaking for the producer," said George Lukach. "We have a lot of producer organizations that say they support the producer, but they all fall short in comparison to R-CALF. It is like a breath of fresh air to have an organization willing to stand up and represent the producer."
Dittmer said he was amazed at the crowd's energy level at the Streator meeting.
"Interest at this meeting, as far as producers were concerned, was more than I have ever seen at other cattle organizations' meetings, and that's due to the leadership of R-CALF," Dittmer said.
At the Streator meeting, a rollover auction of a stuffed calf generated more than $3,000. Contributors included: Fred and Debby Baker; George and Anita Lukach; George and Sarah Lukach; Dan Lukach; Ken Beck; Ruben and Tara Dittmer; Lostant Hatchery & Milling Co./Jack Mertel; Dave Isermann; Ed Gleim; Terry Patyk; John Glascock; Gary Riss; Don Jensen; William and Mary Jane Gunderson; Darren Walter; Mike Warren; Chris Earl; Ron Rogers; Steven Jorstad; John Duncan; Charles Schiffbauer; Randy Toepper; and Don Jensen.
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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.
"We're finding exceptional response from producers at these meetings and we've got more people joining R-CALF at these events than ever before," said Bullard. "This shows that producers understand how important the issues R-CALF is addressing are to the future of their U.S. cattle industry, and that they want a strong national voice to exclusively represent their segment of the beef-supply chain."
R-CALF USA Illinois Membership Chair Clayton Casteel, of Cambridge, Ill., organized the Kewanee meeting and echoed Bullard's sentiments.
"Questions from participants centered on animal identification and the implementation of Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL)," noted Casteel. "R-CALF is working to help producers label their own beef."
Kevin Lindley, of Minonk, Ill., acknowledged that many area producers are not familiar with R-CALF USA, but said Bullard's speech laid out the issues the organization stands for.
"He also spoke about the proposed National Animal ID program and its pros and cons, which answered a lot of questions for cattlemen here in Illinois who were wondering how Premise ID fit into the program," said Lindley.
"We're trying to spread awareness of R-CALF around the state because of its representation of the independent U.S. cattle producer," continued Lindley. "Most producers sell their cattle through the sale barns, so that's where we're going to make an impact."
Organizers and meal sponsors for the Streator meeting were Fred and Debby Baker, of Streator; George and Anita Lukach, also of Streator; Ruben and Tara Dittmer, of Marseilles, Ill.; and Ken Beck, of Mendota, Ill.
"Everyone needs to hear what R-CALF has to say," said Fred Baker, a member of R-CALF USA's Marketing Committee and Checkoff Committee. "R-CALF's one-man/one-vote policy is very attractive for independent producers.
"Many people at the meeting said that Bill's speech was the most dynamic speech on the cattle industry that they had ever heard," Baker continued. "He told us what needed to be done in the cattle industry and backed it up with facts."
Beck said he thinks R-CALF is delivering a message to take back agriculture in this country.
"We also need to educate U.S. consumers about the increasing amount of our food imports and ask them if they want to outsource their food or keep their dollar at home," said Beck.
"At last, we have someone speaking for the producer," said George Lukach. "We have a lot of producer organizations that say they support the producer, but they all fall short in comparison to R-CALF. It is like a breath of fresh air to have an organization willing to stand up and represent the producer."
Dittmer said he was amazed at the crowd's energy level at the Streator meeting.
"Interest at this meeting, as far as producers were concerned, was more than I have ever seen at other cattle organizations' meetings, and that's due to the leadership of R-CALF," Dittmer said.
At the Streator meeting, a rollover auction of a stuffed calf generated more than $3,000. Contributors included: Fred and Debby Baker; George and Anita Lukach; George and Sarah Lukach; Dan Lukach; Ken Beck; Ruben and Tara Dittmer; Lostant Hatchery & Milling Co./Jack Mertel; Dave Isermann; Ed Gleim; Terry Patyk; John Glascock; Gary Riss; Don Jensen; William and Mary Jane Gunderson; Darren Walter; Mike Warren; Chris Earl; Ron Rogers; Steven Jorstad; John Duncan; Charles Schiffbauer; Randy Toepper; and Don Jensen.
# # #
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.
