R CALF WORKING FOR THE CATTLE MAN

[HAY MAKER]

R-CALF United Stockgrowers of America


February 22, 2005
For Immediate Release
Contact: Shae Dodson, Communications Coordinator 406.672.8969

Email: sdodson@r-calfusa.com



Motley, MN Sale Raises $12,000 for R-CALF USA Litigation Fund


Billings, MT ~ On Friday, February 18, Tri County Auction Market in Motley, MN raised $12,000 for R-CALF USA by auctioning off four donated calves. Auction market owners/operators and sale hosts Wayne Hoffman and Joe Varner said, “R-CALF USA is doing a great job representing the U.S. cattle industry. We wanted to give producers in this area an opportunity to support the effort.”


Les and Mary Bell, Motley, MN donated a commercial replacement heifer for the sale saying, “Last year we sold heifers for $1200. We figure if we don’t raise money for R-CALF USA, we won’t get to sell them for that again.”



Mike Kasten, Motley, MN donated a Charolais calf for the auction saying, “Any cattleman worth his salt would donate a calf to R-CALF USA. Because of this organization we have a great market. One calf is one percent of my calf crop. I can afford to give one percent of my calf crop away for a better price for the rest of them.” In addition to donating the calf, Kasten wrote a check to R-CALF USA for an additional $250.



Roy Bell of Leader, MN also donated a calf. Bell and Jerry Swartz, R-CALF’s Region VII director from Minnesota, were involved in a friendly competition prior to the sale. Swartz contacted every business in Henning, MN and received sale support from each one. Bell said he, in turn, contacted every business in Leader, MN and received support from all the businesses there. “Never mind that Leader is a much smaller town than Henning. I wasn’t going to let Jerry Swartz out gun the rest of us. I’m proud to say that the entire town of Leader got behind this sale,” said Bell.



The Flying W Ranch, owned by Danny Wiese donated a calf that sold multiple times during the rollover auction. “I went to Denver to the R-CALF USA convention. I never felt as good as I have about the future of the cattle business. These are good people and I’m glad to support R-CALF USA,” said Weise.



Pine River State Bank was the final bidder on Weise’s calf at $1000. Bank officials present at the sale said they intend to donate it for use in the local 4-H program.



R-CALF members involved in helping organize the sale were Danni Beer, R-CALF USA COOL Committee Chairman and Jerry Swartz, R-CALF USA Region VII director from Minnesota. “The enthusiasm for R-CALF continues to grow. Throughout Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota cattle producers have all expressed a growing appreciation of the R-CALF USA organization. They realize this organization is working for them,” noted Beer.



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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 12,000 strong – are located in 44 states, and the organization has over 55 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.

[Big Muddy rancher]

What are these people going to think when the market doesn't collapse when the border opens and all their effort is for naught!

[Oldtimer]

[Manitoba_Rancher]

I think R-calf has learned the ways of that crooked preacher Jimmy Swaggert! The way he used to squander $$$ $out of peoples wallets!

[Denny]

Leader MN population about 10,1 bar,1 gas station,1,2 room motel all owned by the same man.

[Guest]

BMR- I have proudly donated to R-CALF at several auctions. Don't regret one penny spent. They speak for the roots of the cattle industry.

[~SH~]

I am embarrassed to admit that I once belonged to R-CALf and donated to them. The fact that I believed their lies and supported them financially will haunt me the rest of my life.

To think that I contributed to an organization that will risk the integrity of our Beef supply by standing with anti beef organizations suggesting that SRM removal does not assure beef safety ("Canadian beef is contaminated" - Lie) and claiming that USDA does not care about food safety.

Turns my stomach.

The end (keeping the Canadian border closed) justifies the means (lying about the value of SRM removal, increased surveilance, and removing positives from the food chain)

R-calf is pathetic!


~SH~

[Big Muddy rancher]

[Tommy]

BMR...are the grass roots of the US cattleman then their is a whole lot that are just dirt.


And you give Nebrusker a hard time for spreading hate. The R-CALF members I know are honest hard working cattlemen that are fed up with the way things have been going. They rightly feel that it is the only organization that is speaking only for them.
That wacky weed you are smoking is getting to you I think.

[Manitoba_Rancher]

R-calf is good at spreading lies and deception. I think if things turn ugly for them in the beef business when the US finds there first case of homegrown BSE, they can always go write for the NATIONAL INQUIRIER-(lies and deception always draws readers)

[Denny]

[Big Muddy rancher]