MCA WORKING FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS

Montana Cattlemen's Association held their 7th annual Cattlemen's Day on Saturday, November 8, in Lewistown.  A great day and evening provided a wealth of information and an opportunity for cattle producers across Montana to visit and discuss issues relative to their operations.

MCA President Brett DeBruycker applauded Executive Officer Christian Mackay and the Board of Livestock and Department of Livestock for laying the groundwork for a comprehensive approach to solving the brucellosis challenge.  Mackay reviewed the proposed Montana Brucellosis Action Plan which will be required as a step to regain Montana's class free status.  Mackay also reported on a recent meeting of the U.S. Health Association and its resolution calling for recognition of a special zone around the Yellowstone Park region of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.   

Quentin Kujala, FWP Management Bureau Chief, gave an excellent slide-show presentation illustrating migratory habits of the Yellowstone elk herds and the prevalence of brucellosis in those herds.  DeBruycker commended the on-going research by Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and stated, "The hard evidence being assembled relative to elk will be extremely useful in formulating individual herd plans for producers running cattle in close proximity to the Greater Yellowstone Area.  MCA appreciates FWP's willingness to work with cattle producers to deal with the brucellosis problem."

Marty Earnheart, Meats and Livestock Marketing Officer for the Montana Department of Agriculture, reported the Montana Certified Natural Beef Program is now up and running.  Producers interested in enrolling in this program may download the forms at our website www.montanacattlemen.org.

John Munsell of FARE was the guest luncheon speaker and reviewed the reasons for his proposed legislation relating to meat contamination traceback.  John's personal experience with inadequate USDA meat inspection and e-coli contamination traceback has led him on a crusade to rectify outdated and inappropriate rules and regulations in the meat packing industry.  John's bill is supported by MCA and the content may be found on our website.

Alan Charles, Coordinator of Landowner/Sportsman Relations for FWP, discussed upcoming stream/bridge access legislation.  This legislation will now allow a landowner to attach a fence to or abutting a county road bridge edge, guardrail, or abutment as long as it provides for public passage to the stream via a gate or other method designed for public passage and livestock control.  FWP will work directly with the landowner and will provide the materials, installation, and maintenance of necessary fence passage modifications to provide for public passage.

Christian Mackay reviewed the proposed brand re-recording fee increase from $100 to $150 per brand.  He also gave an update on the work being done by the Montana Livestock Loss Reduction & Mitigation Board which oversees the state's wolf depredation reimbursement program.

United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) government relations representative Jess Peterson spoke on the state of the cattle industry and addressed the issues of animal and premise identification, increased imports, free trade agreements, the JBS merger, working with state veterinarians on various animal diseases, making sure COOL is properly implemented, and the beef checkoff.  Jess encouraged producers to stay involved in MCA and USCA to support the US cattle industry.

The featured speaker at the prime rib dinner was Big Sandy farmer, Senator Jon Tester.  Senator Tester, while providing an overview of the challenges facing producers during these difficult economic times, also spoke of his initiative entitled the Beef Checkoff Modernization Act of 2008 (S. 3404).  John Herman, MCA director from Lonepine noted, "It has been 22 years since the checkoff was instituted and a whole generation of producers are now in the business that have never had an opportunity to participate in a vote on the program.  Additionally, I appreciate Senator Tester's proposal to utilize a portion of checkoff funds to promote USA beef."  MCA Vice-President Kim Baker commented, "As profitability for ranchers disappears, promoting USA beef through the checkoff program and differentiating our beef from cheap foreign imports through country-of-origin labeling will be of primary importance."

A highlight of the evening was a presentation of a check in the amount of $3,625.00 by Western Energy Company's IUOE Local 400 union members to the Montana Cattlemen's Association Foundation Beef-On-Every-Plate program.  This program collects cattle donations from Montana ranchers, processes the beef, and distributes the hamburger to local food banks across the state.  IUOE members donated one hour of their salary to this worthwhile program, which will go to help pay for processing costs, and they received a standing ovation for their contribution!

MCA would like to thank Farm Bureau for contributing $1,000 to help MCA provide worker's safety information to our members.

MCA would also like to thank the sponsors for Cattlemen's Day:  Montana Ranch Brand Meats for supplying an exceptional prime rib; Montana Land Reliance; Central Montana Co-Op; Steel, Etc. LLP; Manning International, Inc.; Pacific Steel; Fort Dodge Animal Health; Cowpoke Ranch Supply; Westfeeds, Inc.; Torgerson's LLC.; and Northwest Farm Credit Services.