Organization for Competitive Markets
P.O. Box 6486
Lincoln, NE 68506
Date: August 4, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John Lockie, 406.628.9850
OCM Presents Pickett Plaintiffs, Attorneys, Economic Expert with John Helmuth Award
Lincoln, NE ~ The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) paid tribute to the original and current plaintiffs in the Pickett v. Tyson Fresh Meats trial, their legal counsel, and Dr. Robert Taylor, the agricultural economist who testified on behalf of the plaintiffs, during OCM’s annual awards banquet on Friday, July 23, 2004 in Omaha, Nebraska.
"OCM is proud to recognize these courageous individuals with the prestigious Dr. John Helmuth Award," said OCM outgoing president, Fred Stokes, during the ceremony. "This is an award to recognize the courage and selflessness of individuals that work for competition and agriculture against the odds. The Pickett trial may well become a cornerstone of the cattle industry’s future. Their perseverance, unwavering courage and dedicated principles of those receiving this award set a standard by which we should all live."
OCM’s Helmuth Award is so named for the renowned economist, consultant and author of "Voices Rise From the Land", whose untimely death occurred just as his book was being published. Helmuth first became concerned with the economic power of meat packers as chief of staff for the House Small Business Subcommittee headed by then-Rep. Neal Smith of Iowa. In 1980, the subcommittee performed a detailed investigation into meat packer market practices under Helmuth’s guidance and found serious structural problems in the industry. Since that time, Helmuth worked diligently to find solutions to the problem while at Iowa State University and into his retirement, often at great expense to his academic career.
"John Helmuth was a hero among men, who defended the independent family farmer and rancher and their right to open, fair and competitive markets," noted Stokes. "Receiving the Helmuth Award is the highest honor OCM can bestow."
On behalf of the plaintiffs, OCM member Chris Abbott and his wife Kim presented David Domina, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, and Taylor with custom made cowboy hats fashioned by Marshall Custom Hats located in Nebraska.
"It is one of my life’s most significant honors to have been selected as a recipient of the Helmuth Award," commented Domina. "Dr. Helmuth’s long professional shadow was cast protectively over the efforts of the Pickett plaintiffs, and at least this member of their legal team."
The twelve original and current Pickett plaintiffs are: Chris Abbott, Gordon, NE; Jim Bower, Garden Ridge, TX; Johnny Smith, Pierre, SD; David Smith, Hollis, OK; R.D. Rothwell, Hyannis, NE; Henry Lee Pickett, Fitzpatrick, AL; Patrick Goggins, Billings, MT; Sam Britt, Grenville, NM; Mike Callicrate, St. Francis, KS; Stayton Weldon, Cuero, TX; Paul and Kelly Horton, East Hollis, OK; and Lovel Blain, Cuero, TX.
The plaintiffs’ legal team includes: David Domina, Omaha, NE; Joe Whatley, Birmingham, AL; Randy Beard, Guntersville, AL; Stephen Griffith, Cullman, AL; and Larry Morris, Alexander City, AL. Dr. Robert Taylor of Auburn University in Alabama was the primary expert for the plaintiffs, digesting hundreds of thousands of documents into statistical test results to show price manipulation.
The Pickett trial began on January 13, 2004 in Montgomery, AL. The jury ruled that captive supplies caused lower cattle prices and determined that $1.28 billion in harm was caused to all who sold cash cattle to Tyson. On April 23, Judge Lyle E. Strom set aside the jury’s verdict. The case is now on appeal before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) 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. OCM helps lead the Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project which is a voluntary contribution program funding the effort to increase demand for U.S. cattle and beef in open and competitive markets.