11/20/08 Three organizations

There is a trend in cattle industry organizations that may be good or detrimental. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back in one minute to explain. Over the last few years at least two new cattle industry groups have been formed over policy disagreements with an existing organization. Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, USA (R-CALF, USA) broke away from the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA). The U.S. Cattlemen's Association then was started after conflicts within R-CALF, USA. The NCBA was the lone voice for the cattle industry when issues were presented to Congress, but the diversity of the NCBA membership finally made it too difficult to convey a unified message to legislators. While one message might have been better, the three opinions expressed by these organizations are sent with total conviction and commitment of their members. I have noticed lately that each group has been concentrating on certain cattle industry issues. USCA has fought hard to see Country of Origin Labeling implemented, R-CALF, USA has testified strongly to have the Department of Justice investigate the JBS-SA buyout of National Beef Packing Company, and the NCBA has worked overtime to assure the Clean Water Act rule for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations will not be too burdensome to cattle feeders and producers. If these groups don't get in each other's way, having each focus on certain cattle industry issues might be a good thing. I'm Jeff Keane.