BILLINGS, Mont. | On August 17 and 18, hundreds of cattle producers from across the country will gather at The Monument, in Rapid City, South Dakota, for R-CALF USA’s 24th Annual National Convention and Trade Show, themed “American Spirit.”
The educational event, which is open to the public, serves as a focal point for cattle and sheep producers, researchers, journalists, policymakers, and consumers to convene and share insights towards restoring America’s food security in the United States cattle and sheep industries.
“There is something empowering about gathering with producers that are like-minded and experiencing similar industry struggles, and that are ready and willing to become involved in improving their industries,” said Marketing Director Jaiden Moreland.
On Wednesday afternoon Aug. 16, pre-convention activities will kick off with committee and policy development meetings and an affiliate council meeting. Wednesday evening will host a welcome reception with appetizers, drinks, early registration, trade show access, and presentations from the reception’s sponsors Farmers Business Network and Boehringer Ingelheim.
On Thursday, Aug. 17, following a convention welcome and prayer breakfast, attendees will hear from: U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY); U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux; No Rancher Left Behind campaign leader and rancher advocate, Coy Young; antitrust attorney on R-CALF USA’s lawsuit against the Big 4 packers, Daniel Herrera; trade expert, Charles Benoit; expert on the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, Tracy Hunt; and a sheep industry panel featuring American sheep producers Bill Kluck, Carson Jorgensen, and John Espil.
Thursday will conclude with a dinner and social featuring cowboy poetry and musical entertainment by Colin Wood, of Newell, South Dakota.
Speakers on Friday, Aug. 18, will include property rights advocate, Angel Cushing; monopoly power and market concentration expert, Claire Kelloway; U.S./Mexico border rancher, Erica Valdez; large animal veterinarian, Dr. Lora Bledsoe; members of the R-CALF USA Board of Directors; and R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.
Friday afternoon will end with the annual business meeting where current R-CALF USA members present and vote on organization policy.
Friday’s evening banquet will include the annual saddle raffle drawing, a live auction fundraiser, and the keynote address, “The Global War on Farming: Control the Food, Control the People,” given by Dutch farmers’ advocate and internationally renowned political commentator, Eva Vlaardingerbroek, of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Moreland said that convention pre-registration ends on Tuesday, Aug. 1. She also encourages attendees to reserve hotel rooms as the R-CALF USA hotel room blocks are quickly filling up.
For more information on the event, to view a full agenda, or to register, visit www.rcalfconvention.com.
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Ranchers Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA) is the largest producer-only lobbying and trade association representing U.S. cattle producers. It is a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the continued profitability and viability of the U.S. cattle industry. Visit www.r-calfusa.com or call (406) 252-2516 for more information.
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