Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska

Press Release 3-9-05

Cattle Alert: R-CALF USA & Independent Cattlemen Of Nebraska To Hold Meeting

R-CALF USA and Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON) will hold an informational meeting to discuss issues impacting the U.S. cattle industry at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 15, at the Royal Colonial Inn in North Platte, Neb.

R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard is the featured speaker. Directors for the newly created Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON) organization also will be available to speak with attendees. Doran Junek, Executive Director for the Kansas Cattlemen's Association (KCA) will be on hand as well.

One item up for discussion is the preliminary injunction granted to R-CALF USA on March 2 by U.S. District Judge Richard F. Cebull that allows the Canadian border to remain closed to live cattle and additional beef products until all merits of R-CALF’s case can be heard in a hearing yet to be scheduled.

Last week, the U.S. Senate voted 52-46 in favor of overturning USDA’s Final Rule to reopen the Canadian border. The measure now goes to the U.S. House of Representatives. R-CALF USA members should contact their appropriate representatives to request they vote to keep the border closed.

Other topics of discussion include Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (M-COOL), and the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

“Having Bill Bullard come to Nebraska on such short notice tells us just how important Nebraska membership is to R-CALF,” said ICON President Chris Abbott. “Hopefully, a lot of cattlemen and main-street business owners will attend. The future of Nebraska's rural economy and our cattle industry depends on the outcome of these issues.”