Latest News From R-CALF

Do America's trade policies push ranchers out of business? That's a protectionist's view, but there's no evidence suggesting ranchers “displaced” by beef imports – nor being unduly damaged in the marketplace.     

There's a lot of rhetoric surrounding beef trade that we shouldn't accept at face value. A closer look at the data shows America’s ranchers are the direct beneficiaries of international trade.

Critics of U.S. beef's trade activity claim imports distort domestic cattle prices. But actual data tells a much different story.

Misinformation and conspiracy theories regarding the use of mRNA vaccines in livestock continue, despite efforts of the scientific community, who emphasize, "mRNA from a vaccine will NOT be passed along in meat."

Fifty groups and organizations recently sent a letter to Congress members encouraging reintroduction of the American Beef Labeling Act in 2023.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th District rejected claims that two working groups formed to discuss radio frequency identification violated the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Concerned about consolidation of the feeding industry, R-CALF has asked the FTC and DOJ to investigate the degree of buyer power beef packers exercise over feedlots – in particular, the 77 largest feedlots. 

There’s irony in R-CALF’s recent Market Reform bill 180-degree about face. The ranch group “presumably figured out what we’ve known all along: the cure is worse than the disease,” writes columnist Nevil Spear.

Two new economic analyses of the U.S. cattle markets suggest Congress “must do more” to implement reforms, says R-CALF USA. University economists note neither study has passed peer-review.

Monday’s reveal of the Senate’s updated cattle market reform bill generated some strong opinions from a cross-section of industry stakeholders, but no consensus.

The House Ag Committee passed the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021 by unanimous vote on Thursday. Supporters say the act would give greater transparency to cattle markets and more leverage to producers.

The more than $900 margin between producers and packers has the largest industry representatives, that are typically at odds, working together.

A new nonprofit civil rights group has filed a lawsuit seeking to add nine documents to the record in R-CALF's suit against USDA over the government's attempts to implement mandatory RFID eartags for cattle and bison.

R-CALF USA has filed a new lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging the Beef Checkoff over amendments made to the program by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

R-CALF and the National Farmers Union ask the Federal Trade Commission to correct “substantive conflicts” seen between existing federal law and USDA’s “past, present and future meat labeling schemes.”

Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA spoke with AgriTalk host Chip Flory about the group’s call to open CRP lands, the 50/14 proposal and more.

The latest shock to the industry is the daily boxed beef price. On Thursday, it hit a record of $364.62. That is a jump of $30 over Wednesday, a two-thirds increase from the lows in February.

During a Facebook Live address to cattlemen Monday night, R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard outlined four actions his group proposes to "restore balance to our dysfunctional cattle markets."

R-CALF USA will submit “formal objections” after last week’s ruling for summary judgement by a Montana magistrate judge in R-CALF’s lawsuit against 15 Qualified State Beef Councils.

National Beef, the fourth largest beef packer in the U.S., has announced that the company's purchase of Iowa Premium has been finalized.

Bill Bullard joins AgriTalk to discuss R-CALF USA's lawsuit, alleging that beef packers Tyson, Cargill, JBS and National Beef, had engaged in collusion to unlawfully depress prices paid to U.S. cattle producers.

Bill Bullard joins AgriTalk to discuss R-CALF USA's lawsuit, alleging that beef packers Tyson, Cargill, JBS and National Beef, had engaged in collusion to unlawfully depress prices paid to U.S. cattle producers.

R-CALF USA has filed a class action lawsuit against America's four largest packing companies claiming their actions since 2015 have depressed prices paid to ranchers.

NCBA calls lawsuit allegations "without merit," and R-CALF a "front group for activists seeking to divide the industry, lessen beef demand and drive producers out of business."

The federal district court in Montana has granted a to expand its beef checkoff lawsuit against the USDA to include at least 13 states in addition to Montana.

Some 13 years later, tensions remain high over America’s beef checkoff, with a new legal challenge that seeks to deliver a crippling blow to the state beef councils in 15 states.

Some 13 years later, tensions remain high over America’s beef checkoff, with a new legal challenge that seeks to deliver a crippling blow to the state beef councils in 15 states.

Discussions about how the beef checkoff serves it's members continue to divide the cattle industry.

Industry groups react to details of a new United States-Mexico-Canada (USMC) Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

Industry groups react to details of a new United States-Mexico-Canada (USMC) Agreement with Canada and Mexico.

Attacks on the checkoff is only weakening the beef industry , says John Robinson, vice president of Membership and Communications, National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Attacks on the checkoff is only weakening the beef industry , says John Robinson, vice president of Membership and Communications, National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

Cattle producer Kate Miller says attorney David Muraskin’s reply falls short of the fact-based analysis she seeks.

Attacks against the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF) and the Organization of Competitive Markets (OCM) are called “desperate” and “coordinated,” says David Muraskin.

Mounting evidence connects R-CALF and Organization for Competitive Markets With the Humane Society of the United States.

R-CALF says it has filed a reply in Montana’s federal district court regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s opposition to the group’s motion to expand the scope of its beef checkoff lawsuit.

R-CALF says it has filed a reply in Montana’s federal district court regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s opposition to the group’s motion to expand the scope of its beef checkoff lawsuit.

Policy news grabbed the headlines yesterday, as USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a $12 billion relief package for farmers impacted by tariffs. Beef leaders say they look forward to reviewing the details.

A checkoff war has farmers and livestock producers caught in the crossfire, and the ramifications could significantly impact the foundation of the beef and soybean checkoff system.

Efforts to stop Oklahoma cattlemen from voting in a secondary beef checkoff referendum are ongoing.

R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard responds to the Drovers editorial, "Tilting at Windmills."

For the cowboys who lived it, 2014 provided a once-in-a-lifetime market. Record-high prices were established with regularity through the ­first seven months of the year, and feeder cattle and calf prices increased 3

Social media videos featuring R-CALF are short on facts in the ongoing debate on country of origin labeling and beef trade.

A magistrate judge in Montana has ruled in favor of the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) in their suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on the use of bee

Cattle futures saw their biggest drop in 34 years at the end of 2015.