Rethinking the testing issue

[cakadu]

Randy, you are quite correct, reinventing the wheel is not really in anyone's best interests. Producers need leadership that is prepared to take action now. They also need people who are willing and able to step outside of the box and look at the big picture, from both a long and short term perspective.

Even if the CCA's plan were to work and they somehow manage to get everything under 30 months slaughtered (29 months is the magic number) and cows do get processed, there will still be well over half a million cows that are choking the system, if I'm understanding things correctly.

High on everyone's priority list should be finding new markets. From what I've gathered about BIG-C, they are most interested in lessening reliance on the U.S. and finding markets outside of North America. That can only prove to be beneficial in the long run.

[oxbow]

Let me correct the misinformation about the checkoff and NCBA. THe NCBA is charged with administating the checkoff, but they must prove the checkoff money is only used for promotion and research. I'll admit that some situations may be a little gray, like a checkoff add sponsoring "Nebraska Corn Husker football broadcasts" Money spent broadcasting Penn State vs Notre Dame would seem more effective so the husker broadcast gets pretty close to nepotism. All in all, the checkoff has been at least a 10 to 1 return, and just because you contribute checkoff money doesn't force you in the NCBA. A nonNCBA member can serve on the beef board, but that may be in theory only. Now there is still 1 minor way NCBA membership is forced, most feedyards add feeders to NCBA and put the charge on the bill. I resent this because in my case it's redundant but also sneaky. If I find 1 sneaky debit, I tend to paint the entire invoice and firm with the same brush.

One of the first actions by the checkoff was the beefquality audit that found that producers could enhance profits and quality if we'd reduce turnover of calves. I think calves were turning over 5 times. Now there are some savy players on both sides of the border that ranch a little, farm a little, and usually are making a little money. These fellows don't need to be told to hang on to calves to make money year in nd year out. So these fewer marketings may be good for cattlemen, but the salebarns suffer from reduced turnover. The salebarns orchestrated the checkoff challenge.

[oxbow]

Willocreek,

I take exception to the statement that NCBA members are forced or coerced. Would you make this case please?

[cswilson]

WillowCreek sounds like an R-Calfer he'd rather be deluded than coerced-i'm sure pinnochio must of been an italian r-calfer too.

[Willowcreek]

Oxbow- as you already said many NCBA members are forced to become members or have their membership deducted from sale price or added to feed bill in order to sell cattle to or feed cattle at certain feedlots and with some buyers. Many NCBA members were not even aware they were members. Then they had the practice that if you wanted to join your state cattle association, you had to join NCBA. Many of these are changing, hence the drop in NCBA membership and the steady rise in R-CALF members.

[cswilson]

With apologies to Karl Marx-"R-Calf is the opiate of the masses."