Date:  July 11, 2006
Lincoln, Nebraska
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Fred Stokes, 662-476-5568

            The Cattlemen’s Competitive Market Project (CCMP), established by OCM in 2003, was developed to provide a stable funding source for anti-trust and cattle market research in anticipation of future litigation and farm bill negotiations. In 2004, CCMP received foundation funding and extended its focus to international trade issues that impact the cattle industry. 

            Michael Stumo, OCM General Counsel, was instrumental in bringing the idea of a producer funded war chest from the conception stage to a working project. According to Keith Mudd, OCM President, “ Michael conceptualized, developed, promoted and managed CCMP from the start. OCM’s board of directors feels it is time now to turn over the reins of this successful program  to a membership based organization. OCM will continue to conceive and develop future projects as is consistent with their organizational structure.”

            Recently, OCM extended R-CALF USA the opportunity to assume the primary leadership role in CCMP. R-Calf has been a long time stakeholder in CCMP, working with OCM in the promotion of this project. The Organization of Competitive Markets treasures the opportunity they have had in working on this project and will assist R-CALF in any way their skills are needed.  OCM will continue to work with R-CALF on issues concerning anti-trust and international trade, and wish them the best of success in their future efforts. 

            Funds from CCMP have funded such projects as:

• Support of Canada border litigation to protect consumer confidence, herd health, and demand for cattle and beef
• Supporting captive supply and antitrust litigation like Pickett v. Tyson Fresh Meats
• Addressing the supply, demand and price problems caused by meat packer/retailer concentration, captive supplies and anticompetitive practices
• Educating consumers, producers and the media about country of origin labeling, and the value of beef born, raised and processed in the USA
• Studying the harmful impacts of free trade agreements on U.S. producer profitability and herd health
• Advocating for fair, open and accessible cattle markets free from market manipulation risks posed by dominant packers and retailers