Shove It Down Their Throats

[RobertMac]

Reggie, they don't need to hold a seat to control NBCA. They only have to control the top feeders like Cactus Feeders and others. Seems like Cactus Feeders and one of the packers are pretty much the same. Plus like the government, they more money you line people's pockets the more they lean. NCBA knows who butters their bread.

Ranch hand, you got it...large packers work best with large retailers on the one end and large feeders on the other. Large feeders work best with large calf suppliers. This tilts the free market place heavily in favor of the large operators to the detriment of the small operators...in every sector. (In case anyone hasn't figured it out, all of us here are small operators) The "pay for representation" is why NCBA policy favors those able to buy the seats on the board, the large feeders, who work hand in hand with the large packers. The packers don't have to have seats on NCBA's board because they know the controlling seats(large feeders) are going to put forth policy that protects their working relationship. The NCBA convention(with its floor debates), member voting, and openness is all window dressing to placate the small operator(cow/calf) members...ALL THE POWER OF NCBA IS IN THE FEEDER CONTROLLED, PACKER INFLUENCED BOARD!!!!

Reggie, I don't know that R-CALF is the answer, but I know they at least create some balance to NCBA. And I agree that they need to work with USDA(after all, USDA is charge with protecting the interest of small ag), but look at who USDA is...ex-NCBAers! :?