What R-CALF does instead of paying 20 professional lobbyists

[ocm]

And this follow up that is not on the website, but has been emailed around.

February 24, 2006

Business As Usual at GIPSA Part II

The last month provides a vivid illustration of just how the packers can manipulate cattle prices. The fact that the big four packers, which control more than 80% of the market, are all staying out of the cash market at the same time isn't mere coincidence, while packers were reported to be leaning on captive suppliers to fulfill slaughter needs. Chain speeds have been reduced and plants went dark. We have never seen such "synchronized swimming" by the packers. Consequently, the packers have carved about $8 per cwt off fed cattle prices in just one month's time.

This is anti-competitive behavior, plain and simple. Two things need to happen. GIPSA must be prodded to do its job; and we must support legislation introduced by Senators Harkin, Enzi and Thomas to close the loopholes the courts and federal administrators have laid claim to within the Packers and Stockyards Act. The Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act of 2006 deserves a hue and cry of support from agricultural producers everywhere. Once again, Wyoming's delegation is riding point for cattlemen.

Last week in Washington, DC the boss at the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) said the agency has no interest in examining the expert economic testimony provided on behalf of cattlemen plaintiffs in the historic Pickett v. Tyson (IBP) cattle price-fixing trial. This statement was made despite the fact that GIPSA spent $4.2 million in taxpayer money funding a captive supply study that was conducted, in part, by Kansas State University.

It was K-State faculty that testified for the packers during the trial - without examining Tyson's transaction records. Only one economist did so, and he testified for the cattlemen, but GIPSA officials refuse to talk to him or examine his analysis. GIPSA is willing to consort with the packers and funnel public money to their lackey institutions, but refuses to review any balancing evidence provided by the plaintiffs.

Examination of this evidence would provide insight into what's happening with our markets today. "See no evil; hear no evil; speak no evil" seems to be GIPSA's modus operandi.

 

[Econ101]

job
opening for the position of Deputy Administrator,
Packers and Stockyards, ES-0340 located in Washington
DC. The vacancy announcement is on the website at
http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/ses.asp .
Type in the Vacancy Announcement Number:
GIPSA-SES-06-03

The closing date for applications is March 20, 2006.

Salary: $109,808-$152,000, also eligible for bonuses
and awards based on performance.

Vets receive no preference. There's a 1 yr.
probationary period, unless already serving under an
SES appointment.

Duties (briefly): Manage and direct programs to
administer the provisions of the Packers & Stockyards
Act and related activities. The incumbent shares fully
with the Administrator responsibility for the
formulations of, and establishing of long-range and
current policies
and programs to carry out the broad, varied, and
complex functions and activities of the
Administration.

Core Qualifications:
1. Lead change
2. Lead people
3. Results driven
4. Business acumen
5. Building coalitions/communication (including
negotiating, interpersonal skills, oral and written
communication skills) , partnering, & political savvy

Technical Qualifications:
1. Sound judgement and impartial decision making
ability in problem solving
2. Knowledge of the principles, policies and
programs dealing with the marketing and trade
practices of agricultural commodities

Experience Requirements:
1. One year specialized experience equivalent to
the next lower grade level in the Federal service;
experience typically in or related to the work of the
position.

2. Submit an application (Resume, OF-612,
Optional Application for Federal Employment, or any
other written format you choose to describe your job
related qualifications. Your resume should contain
the information outlined in the booklet-
"Applying for a Federal Job" - See OF-510 at:
www.opm.gov/form/pdfimage/of0510.pdf

and

Resume - OF-612 at:
www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/of612.pdf


For more info contact:
Tracey Brown/ Lillie Westbrooks
USDA, Marketing & Regulatory Programs
Human Resources Enhancement Branch/Room 1726-S
Washington DC 20250
PH: 202-720-3010 or 202-690-3014

 

[Anonymous]

Isn't it strange how GIPSA is supposedly not finding what Pickett couldn't find either?? LOL!

"BWAME DA PACKAH"!



~SH~

 

[Econ101]

Isn't it strange how GIPSA is supposedly not finding what Pickett couldn't find either?? LOL!

"BWAME DA PACKAH"!



~SH~

GIPSA is being run by the packers. The OIG report clearly showed they weren't running it for the producers.

 

[ocm]

Isn't it strange how GIPSA is supposedly not finding what Pickett couldn't find either?? LOL!

"BWAME DA PACKAH"!



~SH~

GIPSA has refused to look at the Pickett data. You can't find what you refuse to see.

 

[Sandhusker]

Isn't it strange how GIPSA is supposedly not finding what Pickett couldn't find either?? LOL!

"BWAME DA PACKAH"!



~SH~

Since it appears you have knowledge that Senator Harking and the OIG do not, could you enlighten the rest of us on GIPSA's investigation?

 

[Econ101]

Isn't it strange how GIPSA is supposedly not finding what Pickett couldn't find either?? LOL!

"BWAME DA PACKAH"!



~SH~

GIPSA has refused to look at the Pickett data. You can't find what you refuse to see.

A big pile is just under the rug waiting to be seen.

 

[agman]

ocm wrote:
One major difference between this event and others in the past is that the people in DC warmly welcomed and actually listened to R-CALF members who made the trip.

In more than one instance members of Congress or aides or whoever they were meeting with started out meetings with a cold attitude, but warmed up as they discovered that these people were intelligent constituents who represented the mainstream.

A small group even met with Johanns. It is reported to have been an excellent meeting.

Who reported that or is it another biased Billings press release. Rolling Eyes Laughing Laughing

I talked to people who were there.

I talked to some of the folks who painstakingly had to sit and listen out of sheer courtesy. OCM, the view from the other side of the desk was vastly different then what you describe. Most politicians know R-Calf does not represent the majority of producers or mainstream producers as you claim.

 

[Sandhusker]

Who reported that or is it another biased Billings press release. Rolling Eyes Laughing Laughing

I talked to people who were there.

I talked to some of the folks who painstakingly had to sit and listen out of sheer courtesy. OCM, the view from the other side of the desk was vastly different then what you describe. Most politicians know R-Calf does not represent the majority of producers or mainstream producers as you claim.

Who are you trying to BS, Agman? R-CALF has only been around for a few years and already is challenging the old-school NCBA for membership. Politicians look at them as up and comers and they certainly wouldn't be ignored. You're telling us that they would only be listened to as a courtesy? :roll: :lol: Maybe your source likes NCBA better because of the "donations" given by NCBA. :wink:

When is this outfit that supposedly represents producers going to say anything about the GIPSA report, or don't they think that has anything to do with producer's interests? Do they know it's out?

 

[Econ101]

Who reported that or is it another biased Billings press release. Rolling Eyes Laughing Laughing

I talked to people who were there.

I talked to some of the folks who painstakingly had to sit and listen out of sheer courtesy. OCM, the view from the other side of the desk was vastly different then what you describe. Most politicians know R-Calf does not represent the majority of producers or mainstream producers as you claim.

Agman, were you sent in afterwards to do damage control? :lol: :lol:

You have to protect your interests, after all, if the cattlemen win on these issues, just think what it will do to your business. Maybe you can fool a few politicians with your numbers and industry specific factoids. It is a good thing you don't fool all the cattlemen, for the sake of the cattle business.

 

[ocm]

Who reported that or is it another biased Billings press release. Rolling Eyes Laughing Laughing

I talked to people who were there.

I talked to some of the folks who painstakingly had to sit and listen out of sheer courtesy. OCM, the view from the other side of the desk was vastly different then what you describe. Most politicians know R-Calf does not represent the majority of producers or mainstream producers as you claim.

I could almost tell you who they were. Some may even end up finding out how little they count. My statement was carefully worded.

 

[Bill]

Isn't this an election year? Of course they sat and listened to the R-Clowns out of courtesy. :roll:

ocm, if R-Calfs statements in the past had been more carefully worded they may have been taken more seriously. Maybe when you have your next advisory session you should pass that on. :wink:

 

[Econ101]

Isn't this an election year? Of course they sat and listened to the R-Clowns out of courtesy. :roll:

ocm, if R-Calfs statements in the past had been more carefully worded they may have been taken more seriously. Maybe when you have your next advisory session you should pass that on. :wink:

Bill, they are not lobbying Canadians.

 

[Bill]

Isn't this an election year? Of course they sat and listened to the R-Clowns out of courtesy. :roll:

ocm, if R-Calfs statements in the past had been more carefully worded they may have been taken more seriously. Maybe when you have your next advisory session you should pass that on. :wink:

Bill, they are not lobbying Canadians.

No duh Sherlock. They wouldn't be given the time of day up here even by the Liberals.

 

[Econ101]

Isn't this an election year? Of course they sat and listened to the R-Clowns out of courtesy. :roll:

ocm, if R-Calfs statements in the past had been more carefully worded they may have been taken more seriously. Maybe when you have your next advisory session you should pass that on. :wink:

Bill, they are not lobbying Canadians.

No duh Sherlock. They wouldn't be given the time of day up here even by the Liberals.

Which golden rule would you like in return? Which one do you have?

 

[Anonymous]

OCM: "GIPSA has refused to look at the Pickett data. You can't find what you refuse to see."

Understandably! The Pickett data did not prove market manipuilation any more than the hundreds of baseless allegations that GIPSA investigates. You can't find what's not there!

I hope you packer blamers push the Supreme Court on Pickett. I would love to see you handed your collective heads by the Supreme Court because I'm tired of listening to your empty bullsh*t allegations of market manipulation.

You packer blamers waste more time and energy chasing ghosts.


~SH~

 

[Sandhusker]

OCM: "GIPSA has refused to look at the Pickett data. You can't find what you refuse to see."

Understandably! The Pickett data did not prove market manipuilation any more than the hundreds of baseless allegations that GIPSA investigates. You can't find what's not there!

I hope you packer blamers push the Supreme Court on Pickett. I would love to see you handed your collective heads by the Supreme Court because I'm tired of listening to your empty bullsh*t allegations of market manipulation.

You packer blamers waste more time and energy chasing ghosts.


~SH~

Did you understand what ocm wrote, SH? Does it even matter?

 

[ocm]

OCM: "GIPSA has refused to look at the Pickett data. You can't find what you refuse to see."

Understandably! The Pickett data did not prove market manipuilation any more than the hundreds of baseless allegations that GIPSA investigates. You can't find what's not there!

I hope you packer blamers push the Supreme Court on Pickett. I would love to see you handed your collective heads by the Supreme Court because I'm tired of listening to your empty bullsh*t allegations of market manipulation.

You packer blamers waste more time and energy chasing ghosts.


~SH~

Did you understand what ocm wrote, SH? Does it even matter?

The "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," attitude is not limited to GIPSA.



Oh by the way, did you notice how ~SH~ claims that GIPSA does investigations. I wonder where he got that idea.