R-CALF USA Director of Government Relations Jess Peterson recently spoke in Dodge City, Kan., and Abilene, Kan., to dozens of independent cattle producers about various hot topics in Washington, D.C., including the 2007 Farm Bill, free trade agreements (FTAs), proposed competition legislation, as well as Animal ID. The Kansas Cattlemen's Association (KCA), an affiliate organization of R-CALF USA, hosted both meetings.
"We need to strengthen the competition chapter of the Farm Bill, and Congress needs to agree on how they will increase transparency in the marketplace," said Peterson. "R-CALF and its affiliates, such as KCA, will be encouraging legislation for a ban on packer ownership of cattle, captive supply reform, and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921.
"On the trade front, we will be opening beef exports to the Middle East, and trade talks continue on U.S. beef reentering Korea and Japan," he explained. ""We continue to be alert as the South American free trade agreements are negotiated to ensure that in those FTAs, adequate safeguards for our own producers are in place, because countries like Colombia and Peru both have a huge potential for beef exports.
"R-CALF is the only national cattle-producer association in Washington, D.C., that pushed for competitive measures, such as safeguards, in all these trade agreements," commented Peterson.
"The Kansas meetings have allowed me to gain some valuable input from the people directly affected by the issues being worked on in Washington," Peterson said. "I want to thank all the folks in Dodge City and Abilene for coming to the meetings and giving their input."
KCA President Allan Sents, of McPherson, Kan., said he appreciates the representation R-CALF USA has given cattle producers during trade talks in Washington, D.C.
"Some of the main questions centered on why voluntary testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by Creekstone Farms has been denied," Sents said. "Animal identification was also discussed, specifically the change by USDA from a single provider to multiple providers for the database.
"We are currently in the midst of a market tailspin and we're looking for some stability very soon," continued Sents. "We are frustrated with the imports coming in, and the export markets that still haven't been restored.
"KCA appreciates and values our relationship with R-CALF," Sents noted. "We believe R-CALF has complemented us on both competition issues and trade issues. In return, we have been able to help R-CALF work on Animal ID."
Lynae Beam, KCA Director of Communications, said members were honored to have Peterson in the area because they always enjoy his presence and like visiting with him about what happens in Washington, D.C.
"Without the continued support of R-CALF and KCA members, successful membership meetings like these would not be possible," she said.
Justin Reynolds, owner of Reynolds Cattle Co., in Abilene, sponsored the steak dinner at the meeting and the 'Demand USA Beef' metal signs each participant received.
"It was good to hear what is going on in Washington, D.C., and to let Jess know what is happening out here on the ground level," noted Reynolds. "R-CALF, KCA and R-CALF USA affiliates seem to be the only ones doing something for the independent U.S. cattle producers and feeders."
Walco International donated the print that was auctioned off. The event generated $1,200 that R-CALF USA and KCA will split equally. Contributors to the fund-raiser included: John Russell, of Mankato, Kan.; Scott Foote/Foote Cattle Co., Hoxie, Kan.; David Pfrang and Gary Pfrang, of Goff, Kan.; The Murry Family; and Don Rezac, of Emmett, Kan.
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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.
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"We need to strengthen the competition chapter of the Farm Bill, and Congress needs to agree on how they will increase transparency in the marketplace," said Peterson. "R-CALF and its affiliates, such as KCA, will be encouraging legislation for a ban on packer ownership of cattle, captive supply reform, and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921.
"On the trade front, we will be opening beef exports to the Middle East, and trade talks continue on U.S. beef reentering Korea and Japan," he explained. ""We continue to be alert as the South American free trade agreements are negotiated to ensure that in those FTAs, adequate safeguards for our own producers are in place, because countries like Colombia and Peru both have a huge potential for beef exports.
"R-CALF is the only national cattle-producer association in Washington, D.C., that pushed for competitive measures, such as safeguards, in all these trade agreements," commented Peterson.
"The Kansas meetings have allowed me to gain some valuable input from the people directly affected by the issues being worked on in Washington," Peterson said. "I want to thank all the folks in Dodge City and Abilene for coming to the meetings and giving their input."
KCA President Allan Sents, of McPherson, Kan., said he appreciates the representation R-CALF USA has given cattle producers during trade talks in Washington, D.C.
"Some of the main questions centered on why voluntary testing for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by Creekstone Farms has been denied," Sents said. "Animal identification was also discussed, specifically the change by USDA from a single provider to multiple providers for the database.
"We are currently in the midst of a market tailspin and we're looking for some stability very soon," continued Sents. "We are frustrated with the imports coming in, and the export markets that still haven't been restored.
"KCA appreciates and values our relationship with R-CALF," Sents noted. "We believe R-CALF has complemented us on both competition issues and trade issues. In return, we have been able to help R-CALF work on Animal ID."
Lynae Beam, KCA Director of Communications, said members were honored to have Peterson in the area because they always enjoy his presence and like visiting with him about what happens in Washington, D.C.
"Without the continued support of R-CALF and KCA members, successful membership meetings like these would not be possible," she said.
Justin Reynolds, owner of Reynolds Cattle Co., in Abilene, sponsored the steak dinner at the meeting and the 'Demand USA Beef' metal signs each participant received.
"It was good to hear what is going on in Washington, D.C., and to let Jess know what is happening out here on the ground level," noted Reynolds. "R-CALF, KCA and R-CALF USA affiliates seem to be the only ones doing something for the independent U.S. cattle producers and feeders."
Walco International donated the print that was auctioned off. The event generated $1,200 that R-CALF USA and KCA will split equally. Contributors to the fund-raiser included: John Russell, of Mankato, Kan.; Scott Foote/Foote Cattle Co., Hoxie, Kan.; David Pfrang and Gary Pfrang, of Goff, Kan.; The Murry Family; and Don Rezac, of Emmett, Kan.
# # #
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.