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PRESS RELEASE

(2/13/2007)

R-CALF Convention a Huge Success

Theme: “Building a Stronger U.S. Cattle Industry: Our Business, Our Future”

Denver, Colo. – Mother Nature’s recent wintry grip on most of the nation could not stop R-CALF USA’s eighth annual convention from being a tremendous success, as attendance climbed well above 300, according to R-CALF USA Membership Services Coordinator Jenni Ries. The theme for this year’s event was “Building a Stronger U.S. Cattle Industry: Our Business, Our Future.”

“As the convention neared, we were concerned about the weather having a negative impact, but to the contrary, we saw a lot of new faces, strong representation from the southeastern U.S., and many folks who, though they could only get away for a day, made a point of coming to convention,” Ries said. “I think that says a lot for our members’ sense of ownership in the organization – they know it’s important to be at convention, and they know it’s important to participate.

“And the feedback – wow,” she exclaimed. “I’ve got members calling this the best convention they’ve attended so far. This was my seventh R-CALF convention, and I’m proud that each year we give our members what they want, whether it’s face-time with agency officials or the tools to craft industry-shaping policy.”

Joel Gill, an extremely active R-CALF USA volunteer concurred. Gill not only is R-CALF USA Mississippi Membership Chair, but also serves as R-CALF USA Southeastern Membership Chair, and R-CALF USA National Membership Co-Chair. He also serves as the lead contact for the Mississippi Livestock Markets Association, an R-CALF USA affiliate organization.

At a moment’s notice, Gill agreed to emcee the entire four-day event and managed to graciously keep to the tight schedule, while also entertaining the audience during breaks with his good humor. Gill also received one of two Top Hand awards presented at the annual banquet.

“This seemed to be one of the best, if not the best convention so far both in attendance and spirit,” Gill said. “All the hard work it takes to make an event like this a success was displayed as forum after forum came before the membership to educate, enlighten, and inspire them to act upon issues facing U.S. cattle producers today.

“As far as the Top Hand award goes, I am both honored and humbled,” Gill continued. “The efforts that I have put forth over the past few years are what any U.S. cattle producer would hopefully do to preserve their way of life if they had the information to arm their struggle. R-CALF USA provides that knowledge, as well as a platform to present it.

“To those members who have thanked and congratulated me for lifting up our message, I say ‘Thank the organization,’” he concluded. “We all help to the extent we can, whether that is only through dues, or extra contributions for the litigation, or serving on any of the committees. The point I raise is that none of our efforts would get the backing they do were it not for the strong voice our thousands of members provide on the national level.”

R-CALF USA Past National Membership Co-Chair Margene Eiguren also received a Top Hand award this year. She decided to step down to spend more time with her 11 grandchildren. Eiguren will remain R-CALF USA Oregon Membership Chair, and continue her service as secretary for the Oregon Livestock Producers Association (OLPA), also an R-CALF USA affiliate organization.

“I need to see my 11 grandchildren more than they need to see me,” Eiguren said in the fondest of tones only another grandmother could emulate. “With volunteering for R-CALF and being secretary for OLPA, I stay pretty busy, not to mention all the things we do here on this ranch.

“I was very honored and very humbled by the Top Hand award,” she continued. “I try to work hard for R-CALF, but I know there are many people who are working as hard as I am. That’s one of the real strengths of R-CALF – its volunteers in the background. I’d say that R-CALF has a whole herd of Top Hands out there, people that spend hours every day working for R-CALF. We respect and love the organization, and care so much for its success.”

Past R-CALF USA Region VII Director Jerry Swartz was recognized for his outstanding leadership and service to the U.S. cattle industry, as were Region VII Director Gene Barber and Region IX Director James Fudge, whose terms end this spring.

Rick Haines, with the Northern Ag Network, received the annual “Wheel Horse Hall of Fame” award, presented each year to a member of the media for outstanding and consistent coverage of issues important to the organization. The “wheel horse” is the horse hitched closest to the wheel, chosen for that wheel position because of his intelligence, strength and endurance as he guides the team through twists and turns – exactly the qualities that Haines has exhibited through years of service to the U.S. cattle industry as a popular farm broadcaster.

“I’m very honored to receive this award from R-CALF, and I want to thank their membership deeply,” Haines said. “So many times we do not remember the power we have in media. We must always prepare ourselves to deliver balanced, fair, informational news. That job is made easier dealing with an association like R-CALF USA, which has become a great conscience for the U.S. cattle industry.”

Additionally, Jim Korkow, owner of Korkow Rodeos in Pierre, S.D., was honored by the Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP) for his ongoing work to promote USA Raised Beef.

“Jim has gone ‘above and beyond’ to promote USA Raised Beef and to help educate the public about country-of-origin labeling,” said Carrie Stadheim, executive director of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, another R-CALF USA affiliate organization. “As a rodeo contractor, Jim has a unique opportunity to reach both the general public and also fellow ranchers. He has positioned himself very wisely…and used every opportunity to communicate with all of those groups of people.”

Also recognized were the first four scholarship recipients of the Leo and Sam McDonnell Scholarship Fund. Each of these outstanding young individuals received $2,500: Kari Gillespie, 19, daughter of Wayne and Roxy Gillespie, of Kevin, Mont.; Kerry Lewis, 22, daughter of Kimmi Lewis and the late Dave Lewis, of LaJunta, Colo.; Tyler Sandru, 19, son of Rick and Jody Sandru, of Twin Bridges, Mont.; and, Nicole Steffes, 19, daughter of Darrell and Jeanette Steffes, of Vale, S.D.

R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America) is a national, non-profit organization and is dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. R-CALF USA represents thousands of U.S. cattle producers on both domestic and international trade and marketing issues. Members are located across 47 states and are primarily cow/calf operators, cattle backgrounders, and/or feedlot owners. R-CALF USA has more than 60 affiliate organizations and various main-street businesses are associate members. For more information, visit www.r-calfusa.com or, call 406-252-2516.