Cattle Industry News

“Cattle Industry” Group Aligns with Anti-Beef Groups

R-CALF, an organization claiming to represent cattle producers, joined forces with three anti-beef activist groups last week to question the safety of U.S. beef.  R-CALF, the Consumers Union, the Consumer Federation of America, and Public Citizen held a news conference denouncing USDA’s handling of the BSE situation. 

According to NCBA President Jan Lyons, “R-CALF is apparently willing to destroy consumer confidence in beef to achieve political gain.”  One of R-CALF’s objectives is to block beef imports, including those from Canada, although the U.S. and Canada have implemented virtually identical BSE mitigation strategies, making beef safe for all North American consumers.

R-CALF’s latest move has attracted widespread criticism, not just from within the beef industry, but from the mainstream press as well.  The Wall Street Journal (June 1, 2004) features an editorial titled "Beef Boomerang." The column states that protectionism, not sound science, is at the root of the continuing bans on Canadian beef. The editorial criticizes R-CALF and others who are attempting to block Canadian imports to the U.S., stating that the organization thwarted the USDA's "attempt to restore come economic and scientific sanity to U.S. beef policy."  The WSJ noted that while international trading partners including the U.S. understand the science behind BSE prevention, "while we have the science to handle mad cow, there is still no known cure for these irrational outbreaks of protectionism." 

For further insight into this issue and background information on the anti-beef groups, check out Troy Marshall’s article, published in BEEF magazine’s Cow-Calf Weekly newsletter, included below: 

R-CALF Adds Another To Its Pile Of Blunders
While R-CALF's earlier attacks on the safety of U.S. beef were widely condemned by the industry, most critics considered them unfortunate lapses in judgment that some organizations make in the heat of the battle. R-CALF made it clear this week, however, that the organization believes that the end does justify any means.

The group held a press conference on Thursday, hand in hand with radical anti-beef activist groups, to denounce USDA's handling of the BSE situation. The press event in Washington, D.C., questioned the safety of beef, and called for government hearings on the matter.

The decision to align with such radical anti-beef groups seems all the more surprising considering that many within R-CALF hope to make the organization mainstream and represent producers on a wide spectrum of issues. Instead, this latest R-CALF blunder seems to push them more in the direction of radical activism than mainstream representation.

As could be expected, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and other groups issued blistering press releases questioning R-CALF's decision and motives. It's shocking, following the disastrous statements regarding beef safety just a few weeks ago, that rather than issue an apology, the organization confirms to all that it is willing to destroy beef demand in order to further its isolationist, protectionist, anti-trade policies.

For a moment, consider the caliber of groups R-CALF publicly aligned itself with this week:

• The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is famous for opposing irradiation, and pushing for the reduction of beef in the school lunch program among other things. CFA's leader, Carol Tucker Foreman, is famous for her anti-beef rhetoric and efforts to stir up the hysteria about the safety of our product.

• The Consumers Union (CU), along with CFA, have been two of the leading groups pushing since Dec. 23, 2003, the message that beef is unsafe. You've probably read the multitude of inaccurate statements by CU "leader" Michael Hansen in the popular press. Hansen and the CU have also led the crusade against biotechnology and GMOs.
  
  The following is a quote from former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop in regard to Hansen's rhetoric: "Unfortunately, a few fringe groups are using misleading statements and blatant falsehoods as part of a long-running campaign to scare consumers about a perfectly safe food ... it is necessary to condemn these attacks ... for what they are: baseless, manipulative and completely irresponsible."

• Then there's Public Citizen (PC), which gains its supposed credibility through founder Ralph Nader. But PC is best known for its membership in the Global Safe Food Alliance, formed by such animal rights organizations as Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, the Western Organization of Resource Councils, Farm Sanctuary, etc., to put out anti-meat messages. If you want more information on PC, just go to its Web site at www.citizen.org/ , check out the "Meatrix" at www.themeatrix.com/ or the report "Jungle 2000" at www.whistleblower.org/uploads/The%20Jungle%202000%20-.PDF .

-- Troy Marshall, Cow-Calf Weekly, May 28, 2004

Cattle- Fax Market Update

Fed prices in the South were $1 lower last week with cattle trading at $85. Up North, early values were $84 - $ 85 live/$133 - $ 134 dressed, but late trade (Thursday) took place at $87 and $138; steady versus the previous week. Volume was moderate to active. The cutout trended lower. Through Thursday the Light Choice fell $5.01 to $148.07 and the Light Select dropped $4.02 to $131.33. Feeder cattle prices were $1-$ 3 higher with calves steady to $1 higher. Commercial cow and bull prices were $2 to $4 lower.

-To join Cattle-Fax, call (800) 825-7525

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association News

Final Call for Beef Backer Nominations

The Missouri Beef Industry Council is now accepting nominations for the 2004 Beef Backer Award.  If you have a restaurant you think does an exceptional job of menuing and merchandising beef, nominate them for a Beef Backer Award. 

The Beef Backer program works to promote beef in several different ways.  The first is to thank the restaurants that are doing an exceptional job with our product.  That recognition not only encourages them to continue doing so, it also motivates other restaurants to excel with their beef promotion efforts for a chance to be named a “Beef Backer”.  The prize package includes a media reception for local promotion entities and up to $1,000 in advertising to promote their beef entrees.  Beef Backer Awards also let consumers know where to find restaurants that do an outstanding job serving beef.  Finally, if a restaurant you nominate is awarded with Beef Backer status, you will receive an invitation to the reception and a gift certificate for dinner for two at that establishment.

For more information, or to nominate your favorite restaurant, contact Dawn Thurnau at the Missouri Beef Council at 800-441-6242 by June 7, 2004.

Mark Your Calendars for June 15 and 16

Cattlemen’s Steak Fry -   The first annual Cattlemen’s Steak Fry, hosted by Past Presidents of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, will be held June 15, 2004.  Events start with a social at 4:00 p.m. and a ribeye steak dinner with all the fixings will be served at 6:30 p.m.  Following dinner, two very special items will be offered at auction.  Advance reservations are only $25 per person or $40 per couple, which includes dinner and all beverages.  Tickets may be purchased at the door for only $30 per person or $50 per couple.  To make reservations, please call Luke Burbank at (573) 499-9162 ext. 231.  All cattlemen and women are invited to attend! 

National Animal Identification Briefing - The Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Allied Industry Council will host a briefing on the current status of National Animal Identification on Wednesday, June 16, 2004, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Missouri Cattle Industry Headquarters in Columbia.  The meeting will feature Jay Truitt, Executive Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.  All interested persons are encouraged to attend.  For more information, please contact Brent Bryant at (888) 499-9162 or brent@mocattle.com 

Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament - The 7^th annual Missouri Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament will be held June 16 at Lake of the Woods Golf Course in Columbia. All the proceeds benefit the Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation programs – scholarships, farm safety and disabled children.  Registration is just $75 per person and includes green fees, cart and lunch. The tournament will be a 4 person scramble; 18-hole shotgun start. There will be two divisions – Cattlemen’s Class (3 of 4 must be cattlemen) and Open Class. Prizes will be awarded to two flights in each division. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information, contact: Darla Eggers at (573) 449-4923 or darla@mocattle.com. 

Membership & Recruiting Update

One thousand and counting!  As of June 2, you have recruited over 1070 new members, paid since October 1, 2003.  Thank you to all MCA members who have recruited new members, including these top counties and individuals:

Top 5 Recruiters (New members recruited since 10/1/03)

Wayne Seider, Sam Hostetler, Macon County Junior Cattlemen’s Association, David “Blue” Geier, and Tim Love

Top 5 Counties (New members since 10/1/03)

1. Bates (72)
2. Audrain (52)
3. Dallas (47)
4. Macon (42)
5. Moniteau (41)

Calendar of Events

June  12-13     MCA All-Breeds Junior Cattle Show – State Fairgrounds, Sedalia

June 15           MCA Board of Directors Meeting – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia

                        Cattlemen’s Steak Fry, hosted by MCA Past Presidents – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia

June 16           MCA Allied Industry Meeting with special program on Animal ID – Cattle Industry Headquarters, Columbia

Cattlemen’s Classic Golf Tournament - Lake of the Woods Golf Course, Columbia

June 17           Missouri Cattle Women Board of Directors Meeting – Columbia

July 12-17        National Junior Angus Show, hosted by Missouri Junior Angus Association – American Royal Complex, Kansas City

MCA Points Sanctioned Shows
June 5             Moberly FFA Jackpot Show, Boone County Fairgrounds

June 6             Macon County Cattlemen's Show, Macon Fairgrounds

June 12-13      MCA All-Breeds Junior Cattle Show, Missouri State Fairgrounds

For more information, please visit: http://mocattle.org/Word%20Documents/2004/2004%20Point%20Sanctioned%20Shows.pdf

The Fine Print

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