An annual R-CALF USA fund-raiser and dinner on April 22 at Treasure Valley Livestock Auction (TVLA) in Caldwell, Idaho, generated $56,000 this year – topping last year's event by almost $17,000.
Margene Eiguren, who serves as national chair of the R-CALF USA membership committee and staffer for the Oregon Livestock Producers Association (OLPA), along with area rancher Gini Vanderpool, worked tirelessly to organize the event and keep things running smoothly all day. Other volunteers included: John and Denyse Field, Weiser, Idaho; Elaine Smith, Oregon membership Region 2 director; and Vicki Fleshman, Oregon membership Region 3 director.
A record 15 animals were donated for the rollover auction. The event also included an all-day silent auction, and a live auction of several nice items took place after dinner. Ron Davison, one of the sale barn owners, said he was proud to see the sale go so well and to witness the support for the fund-raiser by R-CALF USA members. TVLA donated half the day's commission to R-CALF USA, while the TVLA family and staff also helped by getting all the cattle straight and making sure things went smoothly.
R-CALF USA President and Co-Founder Leo McDonnell gave a rousing speech following dinner, explaining how the United States is simply keeping the Canadian border closed, just as Canada is keeping its border closed to products from other BSE-affected countries.
He also addressed how the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) would hurt U.S. cow/calf producers as it not only is a blueprint for future free trade agreements in South America, but also fails to meet the promises made to U.S. cattle producers in the 2002 passage of the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) Act.
"We need to start getting these trade agreements right, and it needs to start with CAFTA," McDonnell said. "Obviously, if we can't get it right in CAFTA, the other trade agreements to come will be more difficult."
In the heart of cattle country, McDonnell received resounding applause when he said, "R-CALF will continue to work with large consumer groups because the producers' greatest asset is the consumer, and we need to protect that relationship."
McDonnell concluded his talk by placing the responsibility for the U.S. cattle industry into the hands of ranchers themselves.
"This is a tough business, and there are a lot of dogs after the bone, so you need to make sure your association is getting the job done," he emphasized. "What we don't need anymore are those trade associations that compromise us out of business."
"It is heartening to see such great support for R-CALF from ranchers and area businesses," said Eiguren. "Today, we can see that main-street America is more than willing to step up to the plate to support rural America. Together, we are changing the direction of the industry."
Vanderpool offered these comments: "Comparing the sale this year with last year's sale, it was very apparent that cattlemen everywhere are becoming aware of what R-CALF USA is doing for them, and they showed their gratitude by contributing an additional $17,000 to the fund-raiser this year."
Dan Arritola, of Oregon Trail Livestock Supply, said, "R-CALF USA is an organization that instead of sitting around talking about things, goes and does something about it."
Thiel Livestock of Nyssa, Ore., donated a good-looking Angus heifer to kick off the calf sale. Robert Thiel's calf was the only animal sold over and over again to raise about $15,000 of the day's total contributions. Other animals that were donated generated about $10,000 more. These donors included: Sutro-John Runkle, CC&T Scott Nicholson, Alvin Sylva, Nancy Fretwell, Jerry Miller, Grenke Bros., LU Ranch-Bill Lowery, Larry James, Richard & Margene Eiguren, White Cattle Co., John Warn, Terry Warn, and Lequerica Bros. Auctioneers for the day were Rich Pickett and Stenson Clontz who generously donated their time and expertise.
Sabino de la Concepcion and Benny Goitiondia prepared the mouth-watering pay-by-the-plate dinner. Sand Hollow Livestock and Terry Russell provided the savory meat enjoyed by the crowd during the meal.
Items including a handmade R-CALF USA Levi quilt made by Isabel Eiguren and cowboy chaps by Dave Hack were part of the auction activities. Other auction items were donated by the following: Tim Thibert, Fred and Kristie Eiguren, Homedale Farm Bureau, JR Wholesale Saddlery, Sweeny and Kendra Gillette, Oregon Trail Livestock Supply, LG Davidson & Sons, RC Bean Saddlery, Vicki Fleshman, Leo and Evey Zumstein, Bill and Justine Bade, Tim Lowery of LU Ranch, Nampa Livestock Auction, Mike and Linda Bentz, and Elaine and Mike Smith, Janice Thurman, Deb Rogers, Nita Lowry, Andrea Burch, Martin Andre, Vicki dela Concepcion, Connie Brandau, Michelle Freeman, Banner Bank, Mark and Wendy Joyce, and Jon and Sis Ostalasa.
Also available were face-value certificates for services or products from local businesses, as well as cash donations with all proceeds from those purchases and donations going to R-CALF USA. Participating businesses included: Beck's Spray Service, Energy Feeds-Keith Whittig, Simplot Grower Solutions, Tim Slaughterford, Farm & City Animal Supply, The Old Basque Inn, Easterday Transportation, LLC, Canyon Honda, Mountain View Equipment, Relaxation Station, Caba's Restaurant, Intermountain Community Bank, Ripley Doorn & Co, LLP, Uria Pump, D & B Supply, Echanis Distributing Co., Grizzley Sports, Matteson's Owyhee Motor Sales, Inc, Owyhee Auto Supply, Pipeco, Pruett's Tire, Salmon River Motors, Schlofman Tractor, Three Rivers Insurance, Price & Sons Seed, Callaway Trucking, Agri-Lines, Joyce Capital, and Nampa Ford Tractor-Ernie McNeil.
Rollover calf contributors: Treasure Valley Livestock, Richard Eiguren, Jerry Mobley, Jordan Valley Rodeo Board, Morgan Ranch, Thomas Gluch, Doug Burgess, Jimmy Thomas, Darren Frederick, Emmett Valley Livestock, James Hastings, Intermountain Community Bank, LU Ranch, Gordon King, Neil Helmick, George Bennett, Karla King, Skook Gorrell, Jack Burlile, John Duponte, Tiny Bellamy, Gary McGowen, Gene Clapier, Dan Arritola-Oregon Trail Livestock Supply, Three Rivers Insurance, Elaine & Mike Smith, Dana Rutan, Doug Rutan, Paul Jesenko, Joel Van Lith, Sweeney Gillette, Banner Bank, Lee Douglas, and M & M Feeders. M & M Feeders were the final buyers of the calf, for $1,450.
Others who donated at least $500 or more included: Jeff Peck, Terry Russell, Sweeney & Kendra Gillette, Sheephook Cattle Co., Blackstock Ranch, Jaca Livestock, Richard & Margene Eiguren, Jerry Mobley-Gini Vanderpool, Morgan Ranch, George Bennett, Dana Rutan, Nancy Fretwell, William Lowry, Thomas Gluch and Treasure Valley Livestock.
