Brett Kenzy, R-CALF USA president, who feeds cattle near Gregory, South Dakota, spoke at several of the events on issues affecting all U.S. cattle producers, such as mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.
“If we can get MCOOL, we can compete on a global stage,” Kenzy said. His organization is working to include MCOOL for beef in the upcoming Farm Bill.
He also spoke about the Department of Agriculture’s rules which are currently being written that would properly enforce the 100-year-old Packers and Stockyards Act, which protects independent cattle producers from market abuse by highly concentrated meatpackers. He said his group is pushing to finalize the remaining rules.
On Sept. 20, Platte Livestock Market in Platte, South Dakota, kicked off the nonprofit organization’s 2023-24 calf sale fundraiser season. James Fulwider and Kevin Talsma, of Iona, South Dakota, donated a yearling steer that was auctioned off again and again to raise almost $14,400.
Buffalo Livestock Marketing in Buffalo, Wyoming, continued the momentum with a benefit calf auction on Nov. 15 that earned over $6,300. Joe and Linda Foss of Buffalo, Wyoming, donated a replacement quality heifer for the auction.
For the third consecutive year, Matt Paulsen of Niobrara, Nebraska, donated an animal for the rollover auction on Dec. 9 at Creighton Livestock Market Inc. in Creighton, Nebraska. A bred heifer that was auctioned off made over $7,000.
“I want to thank Creighton Livestock Market and the employees for the opportunity to have a rollover calf sale again this year,” said Paulsen adding, “And thank all the bidders that supported the sale for recognizing the importance of an organization that is actually fighting for them.”
Paulsen also said there was a good turnout of cattle producers at an R-CALF USA meeting he hosted at a local restaurant in Niobrara, Nebraska, on March 19.
Lonnie and Pam Dreyer from Winner, South Dakota, donated a steer calf for the third time in recent years for a fundraiser sale at Winner Livestock Auction Company in Winner, South Dakota, on Dec. 15. Contributions totaled more than $20,000, from both area cattle producers and Main Street businesses in Winner.
On Dec. 30, Tri-County Stockyards LLC in Motley, Minnesota, hosted another auction fundraiser. Wayne Savig of Fosston, Minnesota, donated a bred heifer that sold over and over to raise about $5,000.
Eric Nelson, R-CALF USA vice president, who feeds cattle near Sioux City, Iowa, spoke at the event about the current issues facing the U.S. cattle industry, most notably R-CALF USA’s historic antitrust lawsuit in which he is a plaintiff.
“Our case is going to be heard right here in Minneapolis,” Nelson said. “It’s all about trying to return competition to the slaughter cattle end of this business because that’s what decides what the value of feeder cattle is going to be.”
Fed cattle prices affect all cattle prices, higher fed cattle prices typically mean higher prices upstream in the cattle supply chain, and vice versa.
Atkinson Livestock Market in Atkinson, Nebraska, kept the ball rolling and hosted a fundraiser calf sale on Jan. 23. Greg Todd of Brunswick, Nebraska, donated a heifer calf for the rollover sale that raised around $13,500. Before the event, cattle ranchers Bob Mitchell and Mark Lemmer from Atkinson each pledged donations of $500 to help gain traction for the rollover.
A steer donated by R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair Vaughn Meyer of Reva, South Dakota, raised over $8,100 on April 4 at Belle Fourche Livestock Market in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.
A rollover auction hosted by Fort Pierre Livestock Auction in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, on June 7 finished the 2023-24 calf sale fundraiser season with a bang. Dean and Delia Johnson of Fairburn, South Dakota, donated a calf that generated over $36,600 in contributions.
Ft. Pierre Livestock Auction and the Johnsons have worked together for several years and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the national organization.
“Those who contribute to these calf sale fundraisers understand the importance for America’s ranching and farming families to have a unified voice,” said R-CALF USA Operations Director Candace Bullard. “Membership in R-CALF USA is the way for them to have that voice and be part of the decision-making process for their industries.
“Above all, they just want to continue raising cattle and sheep to feed our nation and provide a future for their children, grandchildren, and future generations to continue doing the same,” she said.
To participate in this year’s upcoming 2024-25 calf sale fundraisers, contact Candace Bullard at [email protected] or (406) 591-9009.
