R-CALF Holds Annual Convention

By CnAgri2012-09-13 19:55:53 Print

At the R-CALF USA Convention, nearly 200 attendees met to discuss the future of the independent U.S. cattle industry and Rural America, and what can be done to change the current direction of public policy. Each of R-CALF USA's committees addressed the general session and then met in smaller development sessions to encourage the generation of solutions to specific challenges the U.S. cattle industry is facing. The meetings were focused around the theme, "Redirecting Our Industry."

In addition to updates from the committees, R-CALF USA also welcomed several guest speakers. Ken Ivory from Utah Freedom Foundation addressed the audience during the Private Property Rights Committee Report. During the Marketing Committee Report, J. Dudley Butler, former GIPSA administrator, shared his work and struggle for the GIPSA rule and discussed checkoff reform and country-of-origin labeling (COOL).

COOL was an important issue during the convention. Joel Joseph, Chairman of Made in the USA Foundation, and Julie Reiser, resident/co-founder Made in the USA Certified, partnered with Mike Schultz, R-CALF USA Region VI director and COOL Committee chair, to discuss the recent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that attempts to strike-down U.S. COOL. This partnership and discussion led to the solution of filing a joint lawsuit to protect U.S. sovereignty. Immediately following the convention, R-CALF USA joined with Made in the USA Foundation and filed a lawsuit in federal district court to preserve COOL and protect U.S. sovereignty.

Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) Board Member Dave Frengel was the featured speaker on trade. He discussed how domestic manufacturers, farmers, ranchers and workers had joined together to formulate the white paper, 21st Century Trade Principles, that is now being circulated in Congress. Frengel also led two breakout sessions providing a more interactive platform to discuss key trade issues.

According to R-CALF USA Region XII Director/Vice President and Convention Emcee Joel Gill, "There is no way to express the spirit of camaraderie that existed throughout the entire convention and was ultimately expressed on the final evening by the sacrifice of Nick Trask during the fund raiser.

"Many thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors, but most of all, thanks to our supporting members. If you were able to come, you lived the story, if not, make plans to be there next year in Pierre, S.D. Aug. 2-3. It takes every one of us to make an impact, but what an impact it is when we all work together," concluded Gill.