Ranchers from across western South Dakota gathered in Fort Pierre not to deal cattle, but to organize ways to protect their industry.
The Capital Journal reports that Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA — the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America — gave a presentation in which he said consolidation in the packing plant industry and unfair free trade deals with countries competing in cattle raising are the cause of plummeting prices the past two years.
Bullard said the assembly of President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration provides “a window of opportunity” to bring about changes in federal policies that affect the cattle industry.
Bryan Hanson, president of R-CALF USA, says that Trump’s criticism of free trade agreements aligns with the group’s concerns.
