Montana Cattlemen’s Association Endorses
OCM’s Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project

Lincoln, NE ~ The Montana Cattlemen’s Association (MCA), at its most recent board of directors meeting, voted unanimously to support the Organization For Competitive Market’s (OCM) Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP). MCA also voted to provide a financial contribution to CCMP.

Established earlier this year, the CCMP is focused on efforts to increase competition in live cattle markets through research, education and advocacy to reduce captive supplies and retail market power. "CCMP is comprised of an experienced group of cattle industry leaders to work on this worthwhile and challenging endeavor," said Dennis McDonald, MCA Vice-President. "MCA believes that restoration of true competition in the live cattle sector of our industry must be an absolute priority. MCA is dedicated to supporting the efforts of OCM in this regard. OCM has shown support for R-CALF USA, particularly on efforts regarding country of origin labeling (COOL) and the proposed packer ban on ownership of captive supply cattle. It’s imperative that organizations with similar goals support one another in an effort to build a future for cattlemen everywhere," explained McDonald.

Paul Ringling, MCA President, indicated that the control of large numbers of foreign cattle by the large packers is a concern. "There is evidence the packers can and do use the control of these cattle to leverage down the live cattle cash market. The construction of large feeding facilities on foreign soil with the aim of shipping grain fed beef into the U.S. domestic market is a concern of MCA. Vigilance on the part of U.S. producers is warranted. The recent news of the purchasers of Cargill controlling large numbers of Australian cattle is particularly worrisome," said Ringling.

"On behalf of the CCMP Steering Committee, I want to publicly thank MCA for its support," said Randy Stevenson, Double S Feeders, Wheatland, WY. "Since its inception, CCMP has become a grassfire sweeping cattle country. Cattle producers know there are core issues to be dealt with swiftly if we’re to restore fair and equitable markets and they recognize that CCMP is filling a necessary void in the area of competition," commented Stevenson. I encourage every state cattlemen’s association to get involved with CCMP. It’s driven BY cattlemen FOR cattlemen. It’s a ‘no-frills’ outfit that’s laser focused on the issue of competition."

Steve Cady, OCM Executive Director hinted that CCMP will be making significant announcements in coming days with regard to the growing network of organizations supporting CCMP. "As CCMP’s base of support grows, so must its Steering Committee," said Cady. "We’re moving quickly to ensure there’s broad representation at the helm, and we’re working to solidify CCMP’s relationship with like-minded organizations," he said.

CCMP Steering Committee members include Stevenson; Korley Sears, Ainsworth Feedyards, Ainsworth, NE; Jerry Adamson, Rocking J Ranch, Cody, NE; Tom Spencer, Circle T Cattle Co., Pueblo, CO; and Brett Gottsch, Gottsch Feeding Corp., Elkhorn, NE.

CCMP is not a membership organization. Funding comes from livestock auction markets and independent feeders on a per-head basis at the point of sale. All contributions are tax deductible under OCM’s non-profit status. For more information, contact Steve Cady at 402.792.0041 or visit the web site at www.competitivemarkets.com. 

The Organization For Competitive Markets is a multidisciplinary, nonprofit group of farmers, ranchers, academics, attorneys, and policy makers dedicated to reclaiming the agricultural marketplace for independent farmers, ranchers and rural communities.