Cattlemen Continue To Assess Winter Storm Damage
As reported from the Cattleman Magazine Web site
As many as 20,000 cattle have been lost due to winter ice and snow storms in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Missouri according to estimates by cattle organizations in those states.
"But that estimate doesn't include the additional hardships our fellow cattlemen and women are facing with feed, fencing, sickness, lost production and the costs of rebuilding their livelihoods," says Roxanne Johnson, executive director for the National Cattlemen's Foundation.
Since January 4, 2007, the NCF has been coordinating a disaster relief fund to provide aid for cattlemen hit by the recent winter storms. Johnson says contributions to the disaster relief fund are coming in daily with nearly $30,000 raised to date along with additional in-kind donations of hay and equipment.
To assist with this effort, contribute or get more information, contact NCBA's Membership Department at 866-BEEF-USA (233-3872) or visit www.nationalcattlemensfoundation.org.
DNA Testing Key In Arizona Cattle Rustling Case
New technology has helped corral an alleged cattle rustler in Arizona. DNA tests have confirmed that calves and yearlings from an Arizona Rancher's herd were from his neighbors. Read more about on the KVOA Tucson channel 4 Web site.
Organic Meat Gaining Popularity Among Consumers
Health conscious consumers are beginning to seek out chemical- and hormone-free meat and producers are noticing demand rising. The more expensive beef is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which is considered an anti-inflammatory agent in the bloodstream and assists in curtailing many diseases. Read more on the Bradenton Herald Web site.
Snow Can Be Water Source For Cattle
The recent snowstorms across the country may have the cattle shivering in the pasture, but the frozen precipitation can be a ready water source. According to a report, published on the American Cowman Web site, snow can be ingested without any adverse effects to the cattle. Read more about this on the American Cowman Web site.
NCBA Defends Producers' Property Rights In Supreme Court Case
As reported from the Cattleman Magazine Web site
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has joined with the Public Lands Council (PLC) in filing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in the case of Wilkie v. Robbins. At the center of the case for NCBA and PLC is the right of private property owners to deny federal access to their property and the options available to property owners for pursuing federal officials for inappropriate actions.
Harvey Frank Robbins owns the High Island Ranch near Thermopolis, WY. A dispute between Robbins and the Bureau of Land Management began more than 10 years ago when Robbins purchased the ranch and relocated to Wyoming from Alabama. The 80,000 acres involved in this case are partly public and partly private lands, and at issue is whether Robbins had a right to deny the BLM access to his property.
In court cases over the past decade, Robbins won two preliminary victories in the U.S. district and circuit courts. Despite these decisions, officials have revoked Robbins' grazing permits, denied him a permit for special recreation use, refused to maintain a public road providing access to the Robbins' land, interfered with his guest cattle drives, and eventually harassed him to the point that he was forced to shut down his dude ranch business.
PLC and NCBA are deeply concerned about this blatant disrespect for private property and the extent to which the federal government can improperly coerce private conduct. This issue is of paramount concern to our western producers who interact extensively with the federal government and with producers and Americans everywhere who are concerned with appropriate legal checks on improper government conduct. NCBA and PLC plan to submit their briefs February 21, 2007; oral arguments are scheduled for March.
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