OP-ED BY MCA PRESIDENT GILLES STOCKTON
Dear Editor, In a June third article of the Western Ag Reporter, the author likened the effort to reform the cattle market to that of a basketball game in the last twenty-one seconds of the fourth quarter with the score tied. The Packers versus the Producers; or the Cowboys might...Read More
Tester and Colleagues Demand Investigation into Consolidation, Unfair Competition in U.S. Cattle Market
Senators urge Department of Justice to investigate potential violations of antitrust laws in the face of skyrocketing corporate profits, plummeting live cattle prices (Big Sandy, Mont.) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester and a group of his bipartisan colleagues are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate whether the...Read More
USCA requests emergency relief for livestock haulers
June 2, 2021 (WASHINGTON) - On Wednesday, the United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg requesting immediate regulatory relief for transporters of live animals and fresh meat products following the impact of the cyberattack on global meat supplier JBS SA. In the letter, USCA...Read More
Senator Tester urges Biden to re-open Canadian border
Tester to Biden Administration: Quickly Re-Open U.S.-Canadian Border, Montana’s Economy Depends on It Senator outlines importance of open border to Montana’s economy, urges swift action May 19, 2021 (U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester today urged the Biden Administration to work with Canada to quickly reopen the U.S.-Canadian border....Read More
MCA submits comments to USDA on production agriculture
5-11-21 letter to Vilsack re Comments AMS-Tm-21-0034...Read More
Tester Highlights Pressures Facing Montana Farmers
Tester Highlights Pressures Facing Montana Farmers and Ranchers From Market Consolidation & Unfair Competition, Demands Action Senator stresses need to address causes of population decline, economic downturn in rural America (U.S. Senate) – Highlighting the urgent need to combat consolidation in the agricultural sector, U.S. Senator Jon Tester put the...Read More
Tester’s Bipartisan Bill Provides Ag and Livestock Haulers Critical Relief from Burdensome Red Tape
March 19, 2021 Senator’s HAULS Act increases hours-of-service flexibility for ag and livestock haulers, allows for more efficient transport of agricultural commodities (U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester is fighting to ensure Montana ag and livestock haulers have the flexibility they need to safely deliver their products to...Read More
Ag Secretary Vilsack Says He’s Open to COOL
By Greg Henderson, Drovers During Senate confirmation hearings on Tuesday, Tom Vilsack, the former Ag Secretary who is President Biden’s nominee to return as Ag Secretary, said he is willing to consider reimplementation of country-of-origin labeling (COOL) regulations for meat products. Addressing a question from Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer...Read More
Take the bull by the horns, legislature: Pass Country of Origin Labeling in Montana
Consumers have the right to know the origin of their beef purchases, and ranchers have the right to a fair and competitive market. This is a reasonable expectation. However, since 2015 Congress specifically exempted beef and pork from labeling laws. Consumers do not know where their beef comes from, and...Read More
Tester’s Bipartisan Bill Aims to Cut Red Tape, Expand Access to Interstate Markets for Montana Ranchers
Senator’s New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act would open interstate sale of meat processed at state facilities, provide certainty for producers (U.S. Senate) – U.S. Senator Jon Tester is reintroducing his bipartisan bill to cut red tape and allow the interstate trade of meat processed at Montana...Read More
Montana Agriculture Safety Program
For enrollment form and to learn more about the program visit: www.mtagrisafety.com...Read More
MT Farmers Union Meat Processing Grant
Montana Farmers Union secures funds to start cooperative mobile slaughtering business and first college curriculum in the United States to teach meat processing from harvest to retail: Montana Farmers Union is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a $150,000 Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant (MMPIG) which is funded...Read More
USDA Sonny Perdue response to Covid-19
USDA Sonny Perdue response to Covid 19 October 2020...Read More
Grassroots cattlemen aren’t smart enough to protect their own livelihood, says NCBA.
Posted on October 16, 2020 by Mike Callicrate January 31, 2000 Long held elitist philosophy finally exposed at National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention By Mike Callicrate Cattlemen attendees at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) convention were aghast at hearing the statement of Jon Ferguson, newly elected chairman of the Beef Checkoff division...Read More
Defining “Made in the USA”
by Lilly Platts published in Western Ag Reporter, September 24, 2020 “Made in the USA” is a label adorning many products sold in America — but it may not be as straightforward as it seems when read at face value. A recent push, particularly by beef producers, hopes to...Read More
USCA to Host Senators Jon Tester & Mike Rounds for #FactsOnlyFriday
(SEPTEMBER 23, 2020) - The United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) is pleased to host U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) for a live, virtual discussion on the state of the U.S. cattle market and the role of Congress in bringing forth solutions. The conversation will take place...Read More
Use of Radio Frequency Identification Tags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison
Posted by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on Jul 5, 2020 Action Notice and request for comments. Summary In accordance with Executive Order 13892, Promoting the Rule of Law Through Transparency and Fairness in Civil Administrative Enforcement and Adjudication, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is soliciting public comments...Read More
FTC Comment Deadline Soon
August 30, 2020 Deadline: September 14, 2020 is the last day for comments on the Federal Trade Commissions rule on product of USA or made in USA label for beef. We need to get this important deadline out to our membership. In July of 2020 the Federal Trade Commission...Read More
MCA joins USCA and others; Letter to Secretary Perdue on US Beef
August 24, 2020 The Honorable Sonny Perdue Secretary of Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Drive S.W. Washington, DC 20250 Dear Secretary Perdue; As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers its third round of Farmers to Families Food Box Program purchases, the undersigned organizations respectfully request that preference...Read More
How to Not Protect Montanan’s Water Rights
August 19, 2020 “Keep Public Lands in Public Hands” is a well-used slogan during this election season. Given that all candidates claim to support this notion, it should be concerning that Senator Steve Daines has just given away the 18,500-acre National Bison Range and 36,800 acres of state lands to...Read More
Rigged Markets, and False Choices
Posted on August 14, 2020 by Mike Callicrate Cattlemen are still fighting with each other over how they will die, not if they will. Cattle and meatpacker groups are fussing over a choice of 30/14 or 50/14 for percent cash trade and maximum days for the meatpacker to take delivery of cash-traded cattle...Read More
KRTV Montana Ag Network Story
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Senators Bring #FairCattleMarkets to Capitol Hill
On Tuesday, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Jon Tester (D-MT) championed the cause of #FairCattleMarkets for U.S. cattle producers. Specifically, the pair urged support for their "50-14" or spot market bill (S. 3693 | HR 7501). Earlier in the week, Senator Grassley told reporters that...Read More
On Senate Floor: Tester Urges Colleagues to Support His Bipartisan Bill to Level the Playing Field for Montana Ranchers and Consumers
August 4, 2020 Senator: “Our ranchers, and the American public, are being taken advantage of in the midst of a global public health and economic crisis” (U.S. Senate) – As part of his continuing efforts to provide critical relief to livestock producers who have seen cattle prices plummet over...Read More
Governor Bullock Announces over $7.5 Million of Coronavirus Relief Funds Awarded through Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grants
August 4, 2020 Bullock, MDA award grants to over 60 businesses for meat processing MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock and the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA) today announced that over $7.5 million in grant funding has been awarded through the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant (MMPIG) programs. The grants...Read More
MCA FOUNDATION RECEIVES GRANT TO PROVIDE BEEF TO LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES
We are pleased to announce that the Montana Cattlemen’s Foundation has been awarded a $50,000 grant to benefit our Beef On Every Plate program! The grant was issued by the State of Montana to help increase food security for Montanans hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. For those of...Read More
MCA has concerns regarding brucellosis in bison
MCA president Gilles Stockton sent an email to Bill West regarding bison. The following is an excerpt from that correspondence. Bill West's sent his Bio, I worked at and managed National Wildlife Refuges for 36 years. I worked for the Missouri State Wildlife Agency for 5 years prior and was...Read More
Hearing requested for Water Compact SB3019
Click Here: Water Rights 7-6-20...Read More
Imported raw beef recalled for lack of re-inspection – And it’s not lean trim! by Mike Callicrate
The industry promotes the need for imported beef to provide lean trim for blending with the extra fat from our domestic finished animals. Notice the list of items being recalled – “BONELESS RIBEYE ROLL”. Cheap, below-cost-of-production imported beef is a primary reason why small meat plants can’t survive in the...Read More
Tyson Foods Issues Statement On DOJ's Indictment In Broiler Chicken Investigation
Springdale, AR - Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) issued the following statement today regarding the June 2, 2020, indictment by the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) charging multiple executives of other companies in the broiler chicken industry with conspiring to restrain trade. "Tyson Foods is...Read More
Meatpacker Theft Sets All-time Record – Our Nation’s Food Security is Gone by Mike Callicrate
Fri, Jun 12, 2020 at 3:42 PM The May 20th, 2020 USDA retail beef value was reported at $7.58 per pound, up $1.41 per pound from a year ago. Live cattle slaughter weights were reported at 1,370 pounds. Retail beef yield from a 1,370 pound steer or heifer will be...Read More
Livestock and the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
May 26, 2020 Are you a livestock producer whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program provides direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, or CFAP, provides vital financial assistance...Read More
NCBA Opposes Government Mandate Restricting Cattle Marketing Options
WASHINGTON (May 13, 2020) - National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Policy Division Chair and South Dakota Rancher Todd Wilkinson today released the following statement in response to the bill introduced by Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) that would require a minimum of 50 percent of a...Read More
Tester: Cut Cattle Market Red Tape, Allow Interstate Meat Sales
May 11, 2020 First plank of Senator’s Rancher Relief Plan is call to open interstate sale of meat processed at state facilities; Senator’s legislation would reduce backlogs at processing plants, diversify market, provide price stability (U.S. Senate) – As Montana ranchers have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, U.S....Read More
by Mike Callicrate 9 Actions We Can Take Now to Strengthen Our Agriculture and Food System
April 30, 2020 OCM Staff The Covid-19 Pandemic has had many effects on the economy of the United States, and particularly hard-hit has been the agriculture and food sector. Not since the Depression have we seen such a disparity between retail and farmgate prices, empty grocery shelves while people clamor...Read More
Unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains!
Saturday, May 2, 2020 For over a month now, nearly anyone who can lift a fork has asked what the “new normal” in American agriculture will be after Covid-19 loosens its terrible grip. Six weeks later, we now have a pretty good idea that ag’s new normal will look like...Read More
OCM Calls for Breakup of Big Four Meatpackers
May 30, 2020 LINCOLN, NE: Today, Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is calling for the breakup of the “Big Four” meatpacking companies: Cargill, JBS, National Beef, and Tyson. Together, these four companies control over 85% of the United States beef supply. Recent packing plant closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic...Read More
Tester Secures Expansion of Relief Programs to Cover Montana Family Farms and Ranches in Interim Relief Package
April 21, 2020 Agriculture businesses, farms, and ranches with fewer than 500 employees now qualify for small business disaster relief loans (Big Sandy, Mont.) – Continuing his push to make sure Montana’s family farms and ranches receive relief during the global pandemic, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured an expansion...Read More
Tester Secures Expansion of Relief Programs to Cover Montana Family Farms and Ranches in Interim Relief Package
April 21, 2020 Agriculture businesses, farms, and ranches with fewer than 500 employees now qualify for small business disaster relief loans (Big Sandy, Mont.) – Continuing his push to make sure Montana’s family farms and ranches receive relief during the global pandemic, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured an expansion...Read More
The Loss of One of America’s Last Great Arena of Competition
March 22, 2020 by Leo McDonnell Pat Goggin’s, who was one of the greatest advocates for rancher’s and preserving a competitive market based on market fundamentals, always said it takes a little government to maintain a free market. I don’t think Pat was talking about a free market...Read More
USDA announces it will revisit country of origin labeling
by Sam Bloch 04.03.2020, 10:28am For years, American ranchers have asked for a return to COOL labeling enforcement. It might be coming back. Right now, if you walk into a grocery store and buy hamburger patties that are labeled as American beef, make sure to read the fine print. Because...Read More
Beef costs are up at stores, but futures are down. Senators want to know why
By Ellyn Ferguson Posted March 31, 2020 Grassley said he'll ask the Justice and Agriculture departments to investigate An Iowa senator says there’s something fishy about falling cattle market prices at a time when beef is a top seller among consumers stocking up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Republican Charles E....Read More
Daines Calls On DOJ to Investigate Price-Fixing, Market Manipulation Within Cattle Market and Meatpacking Industry
March 19,2020 U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter calling on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the ongoing allegations of price-fixing and market manipulation within the cattle market and the beef meatpacking industry. “At a time when cattle producers are seeing record losses and...Read More
Court Rules In Favor Of Checkoff, Dismisses R-CALF Suit
Drovers News Source March 27, 2020 The Beef Checkoff program and fifteen grassroots-led state beef councils won a major court victory as the United States District Court of Montana ruled in favor of USDA and the Montana Beef Council in the matter of R-CALF vs. Sonny Perdue and USDA. NCBA...Read More
National Cattlemens Beef Association Goes on CNBC and Embarrasses Themselves and the Entire Cattle Industry
March 25, 2020 By Jim Mundorf “If demand is up why are prices down?” It’s the question the anchor asks. It’s the obvious question that any idiot would ask after taking one look at what is going on in the beef industry. The answer given by NCBA’s Ethan Lane is,...Read More
Tester Leads Bipartisan Bill for Aid to Montana Small-Scale Livestock Producers As Beef Markets Flounder
Senator’s legislation will provide much-needed relief to independent cattle ranchers as prices drop amid COVID-19 pandemic (U.S. Senate) – Following a unprecedented drop in cattle prices as a result of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and continued market consolidation, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is introducing bipartisan legislation that would...Read More
Tester Demands Agriculture Secretary Take Immediate Action to Stabilize Beef Markets Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
U.S. Senate) – After Montana ranchers recently saw the steepest price decline for cattle in forty years due to the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is demanding that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue take immediate action to stabilize beef markets. “Since January 1,...Read More
Perdue Nixes Revival Of mCOOL, Suggests Voluntary Labels
by Greg Henderson 02:56PM Mar 06, 2020 Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue made clear his position on mandatory country-of-origin labeling on beef in his State of the Rural Economy testimony before the House Agriculture Committee on Wednesday. Mandatory COOL “is not going to happen unless we want to do a billion-dollar...Read More
Captive Supply Reform
By MCA Director Gilles Stockton: Feeders and ranchers alike have every reason to be upset at the hit cattle prices took following a fire in a Tyson slaughter plant back in August. We can’t call this downturn a collapse because the collapse came in 2015 when Congress rescinded Country of...Read More
Up Against Monopoly
by Jim Hightower: Farm Aid, the top-notch group of researchers and advocates who've tracked family farm issues for nearly 34 years, reports that just two giants now control 60% of all raw milk processed nationwide — a concentration that works to suppress the farm price of milk. But the processor...Read More
RFID tags op-ed
By MCA Director Gilles Stockton: Most cattle producers have probably not paid enough attention to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue’s recent announcement that adult cattle in interstate commerce will be required to carry RFID tags. This includes all cattle vaccinated for brucellosis. It is going to cost you and is...Read More
NAFTA and the NCBA op-ed
By MCA Director Gilles Stockton: The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is currently making a media and lobbying push to have the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) - better known as NAFTA-II - ratified by Congress. In their press info NCBA states: “USMCA maintains science-based trade standards while rejecting...Read More
Where's the Beef?
By MCA Director Gilles Stockton: Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue probably expects that his press release announcing more access to Japan’s market for U.S. Beef will have cattle ranchers dancing a jig. But frankly, there is not enough of a musical beat in this trade agreement to cause anyone to...Read More
COOL Press Release
April 20, 2019 - Contact person: Jim Baker, President (406) 741-3680 Montana Country of Origin Labeling The Montana Cattlemen’s Association is very disappointed that the Montana Legislature refused to enact a Montana Country of Origin Labeling law (Mt-COOL). Although the bill did receive limited bipartisan support, it was primarily the...Read More