nowhereroad1972
Member
This is the latest spin from R-CALF on the organization going down - read it then march over to www.swifthorses.com I got this link last night. It give the timeline of the current distruction.
I am VERY disapointed in Leo - Peronal reasons? Come out and say it Leo. The guards are gone and the inmates are running the insane ward.
Leaders Field Questions, Address Concerns at Regional Meeting
RAPID CITY, S.D. (February 28, 2007) More than 300 cattle producers from South Dakota and surrounding states gathered here Friday to ask R-CALF USA representatives questions about the recent change in leadership and to seek clarification about the organization's goals and future direction.
On Feb. 8, by a majority vote, the R-CALF USA board of directors asked Missouri veterinarian Max Thornsberry, R-CALF USA's vice president at the time, to succeed Region V Director Chuck Kiker as president of the organization. Thornsberry will continue to serve in his capacity as R-CALF USA Region VI Director and continue to chair the R-CALF USA Animal Health Committee.
R-CALF USA Co-Founder and Past President Leo McDonnell said he resigned his directorship for personal reasons. McDonnell also sent Thornsberry a cordial letter outlining his desire to return full time to his businesses.
"I resigned from the Board for personal reasons," McDonnell told the crowd. "I did not resign my R-CALF membership. I continue to believe in this organization to accomplish R-CALF's policy and goals. I encourage each of you to do the same.
"This last year I've heard people talking about sides in R-CALF – there is no 'us-and-them,' only 'we,'" McDonnell emphasized. "That's what R-CALF has always been about – building a united voice. The bickering and name calling and petty stuff must stop now, and it must stop here.
"There is unity in the Board now, so we need to let the Board go forward and lead R-CALF to the next level," he continued. "We all want the same thing, we just go about it differently. It is one thing to have passion, and we all care. We all have a passion for this organization, but it is entirely inappropriate to level personal attacks against each other. Just because you think you're right, doesn't mean you're doing the right thing. Every decision made should be based on what is good for the U.S. rancher."
R-CALF USA Co-Founder and Past Region III Director Herman Schumacher said he thought the meeting went very well.
"Regardless of how they felt about the changes, everybody was there because they care about the R-CALF organization, and they want us to go on and be the voice that they're so longing for that they haven't had for many, many years," Schumacher said. "A few got to vent their frustrations. It was a very open meeting. I felt that most people I visited with came out of there with a very positive attitude."
Current R-CALF USA Region III Director Johnny Smith also said he thought the meeting went great.
"I thought everybody got to see what our new president looks like, and that Max Thornsberry handled himself very appropriately," Smith said. "He talked to all the questions that were handed to him. He did a whale of job, and I'll tell you what, being an R-CALF board member I'm proud to ride the trail with Max Thornsberry.
"The cattle industry is in good hands today because people like Max Thornsberry and the people at that meeting went away with the feeling that we are going at things that will benefit the producer," he continued. "We're back on track to work against bringing these cows in from Canada to keep them from deflating our cattle market and to keep the beef safety in accord, too. I don't think we should shun that in any, shape or form because USDA keeps saying this is 'sound science.' How could it be sound science when you've got mad cows up there all the time?
"I think Max Thornsberry put it very plainly that R-CALF is going to continue trying to keep the older Canadian cattle from coming in and also trying to close this thing to cattle from Canada," Smith concluded. "Also to continue working on country-of-origin labeling and trying to get that implemented, plus killing the mandatory animal ID thing. One thing about it, the folks that belong to R-CALF should darn sure be proud of Max Thornsberry, and for the producer, here's a new president that's darn sure had to go forward and work hard for the benefit of the producer, not for the benefit of the USDA, the NCBA or the packers. We're going forward, onward and upward."
R-CALF USA Region II Director Randy Stevenson said, "After hearing Dr. Max Thornsberry's presentation it should be clear to R-CALF USA's members that we will move forward using the collective wisdom of the whole board to carry out the policies set by the vote of our membership."
"Although the discussion was heated at times, for the most part people went away satisfied that their questions were answered and their fears laid to rest," said Kenny Fox, a longtime member of both R-CALF USA and the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA). "The vast majority of folks in attendance believe it is time to move forward and are in support of our new president, Dr. Max Thornsberry. I am pleased that President Thornsberry and the board of directors emphasized they will aggressively pursue the policies of R-CALF-USA that are set forth by the membership."
Thornsberry said the meeting – which lasted more than five hours – was not without controversy, but he felt the air was cleared and that participants are comfortable that R-CALF USA will continue its responsibilities as the only national organization dedicated to representing exclusively the interests of independent U.S. cattle producers.
A second regional meeting is slated for March 9 in Reno, Nev., with the location to be announced soon. The third event in the series is tentatively scheduled for March 24 in Kansas City, Mo., while Nashville is the potential site for a meeting possibly on April 7. More details will be forthcoming as soon as they are available.
On a separate, but equally important note, the SDSGA board of directors recently unanimously voted to renew its affiliation with R-CALF USA.
"We've experienced great successes in the cattle industry since R-CALF was first created," said SDSGA President Rick Fox. "We look forward to continued success as we work together to achieve fair trade policies and to prevent the United States from becoming a 'dumping ground' for the world's poorest beef."
I am VERY disapointed in Leo - Peronal reasons? Come out and say it Leo. The guards are gone and the inmates are running the insane ward.
Leaders Field Questions, Address Concerns at Regional Meeting
RAPID CITY, S.D. (February 28, 2007) More than 300 cattle producers from South Dakota and surrounding states gathered here Friday to ask R-CALF USA representatives questions about the recent change in leadership and to seek clarification about the organization's goals and future direction.
On Feb. 8, by a majority vote, the R-CALF USA board of directors asked Missouri veterinarian Max Thornsberry, R-CALF USA's vice president at the time, to succeed Region V Director Chuck Kiker as president of the organization. Thornsberry will continue to serve in his capacity as R-CALF USA Region VI Director and continue to chair the R-CALF USA Animal Health Committee.
R-CALF USA Co-Founder and Past President Leo McDonnell said he resigned his directorship for personal reasons. McDonnell also sent Thornsberry a cordial letter outlining his desire to return full time to his businesses.
"I resigned from the Board for personal reasons," McDonnell told the crowd. "I did not resign my R-CALF membership. I continue to believe in this organization to accomplish R-CALF's policy and goals. I encourage each of you to do the same.
"This last year I've heard people talking about sides in R-CALF – there is no 'us-and-them,' only 'we,'" McDonnell emphasized. "That's what R-CALF has always been about – building a united voice. The bickering and name calling and petty stuff must stop now, and it must stop here.
"There is unity in the Board now, so we need to let the Board go forward and lead R-CALF to the next level," he continued. "We all want the same thing, we just go about it differently. It is one thing to have passion, and we all care. We all have a passion for this organization, but it is entirely inappropriate to level personal attacks against each other. Just because you think you're right, doesn't mean you're doing the right thing. Every decision made should be based on what is good for the U.S. rancher."
R-CALF USA Co-Founder and Past Region III Director Herman Schumacher said he thought the meeting went very well.
"Regardless of how they felt about the changes, everybody was there because they care about the R-CALF organization, and they want us to go on and be the voice that they're so longing for that they haven't had for many, many years," Schumacher said. "A few got to vent their frustrations. It was a very open meeting. I felt that most people I visited with came out of there with a very positive attitude."
Current R-CALF USA Region III Director Johnny Smith also said he thought the meeting went great.
"I thought everybody got to see what our new president looks like, and that Max Thornsberry handled himself very appropriately," Smith said. "He talked to all the questions that were handed to him. He did a whale of job, and I'll tell you what, being an R-CALF board member I'm proud to ride the trail with Max Thornsberry.
"The cattle industry is in good hands today because people like Max Thornsberry and the people at that meeting went away with the feeling that we are going at things that will benefit the producer," he continued. "We're back on track to work against bringing these cows in from Canada to keep them from deflating our cattle market and to keep the beef safety in accord, too. I don't think we should shun that in any, shape or form because USDA keeps saying this is 'sound science.' How could it be sound science when you've got mad cows up there all the time?
"I think Max Thornsberry put it very plainly that R-CALF is going to continue trying to keep the older Canadian cattle from coming in and also trying to close this thing to cattle from Canada," Smith concluded. "Also to continue working on country-of-origin labeling and trying to get that implemented, plus killing the mandatory animal ID thing. One thing about it, the folks that belong to R-CALF should darn sure be proud of Max Thornsberry, and for the producer, here's a new president that's darn sure had to go forward and work hard for the benefit of the producer, not for the benefit of the USDA, the NCBA or the packers. We're going forward, onward and upward."
R-CALF USA Region II Director Randy Stevenson said, "After hearing Dr. Max Thornsberry's presentation it should be clear to R-CALF USA's members that we will move forward using the collective wisdom of the whole board to carry out the policies set by the vote of our membership."
"Although the discussion was heated at times, for the most part people went away satisfied that their questions were answered and their fears laid to rest," said Kenny Fox, a longtime member of both R-CALF USA and the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association (SDSGA). "The vast majority of folks in attendance believe it is time to move forward and are in support of our new president, Dr. Max Thornsberry. I am pleased that President Thornsberry and the board of directors emphasized they will aggressively pursue the policies of R-CALF-USA that are set forth by the membership."
Thornsberry said the meeting – which lasted more than five hours – was not without controversy, but he felt the air was cleared and that participants are comfortable that R-CALF USA will continue its responsibilities as the only national organization dedicated to representing exclusively the interests of independent U.S. cattle producers.
A second regional meeting is slated for March 9 in Reno, Nev., with the location to be announced soon. The third event in the series is tentatively scheduled for March 24 in Kansas City, Mo., while Nashville is the potential site for a meeting possibly on April 7. More details will be forthcoming as soon as they are available.
On a separate, but equally important note, the SDSGA board of directors recently unanimously voted to renew its affiliation with R-CALF USA.
"We've experienced great successes in the cattle industry since R-CALF was first created," said SDSGA President Rick Fox. "We look forward to continued success as we work together to achieve fair trade policies and to prevent the United States from becoming a 'dumping ground' for the world's poorest beef."