12/05/07 Get together

How many cattlemen's organizations are too many? I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with a few thoughts on that question. A few years ago the American Cattlemen's Beef Association was formed to better unite cattle and beef producers and be the organization that would present a single voice to legislators regarding national issues. I remember a telephone survey asking my name choice for the new association. At the time, I thought a name is not going to mean as much as how the organization represents its members. Well, concerns did begin to be heard about just who the association did represent. Those concerns grew until a new organization more closely considering producer interests evolved  Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA.) Recently another national organization has started letting its presence be felt  the United States Cattlemen's Association. I suppose the in-born independence of ranchers dictated some of the reason these new groups developed. I have heard two of these organizations discuss issues on a panel presentation and they basically think the same concerning environmental, property rights and animal rights questions. Other issues such as marketing, national animal ID and mandatory country of origin labeling widen the gap between the associations. I still like the idea of a unified voice presented to legislators. Leaders of these groups are astute individuals, so possibly a little combined communication could reachieve this goal. I'm Jeff Keane.