BILLINGS, MONT. (April 25, 2006)  R-CALF USA by-laws permit every member who owns cattle to vote on policy resolutions. To accomplish this, R-CALF USA mails a ballot to each voting member immediately after its annual convention.

“While it takes longer to count mail-in ballots than to simply count a show of hands during convention, R-CALF USA’s policy ensures that each voting member has an equal voice in both the leadership and direction of the organization,” said R-CALF USA President and Region V Director Chuck Kiker. “The mail-in ballots have now been counted, and the membership has approved each and every resolution proposed at the annual convention in January.”

Members overwhelmingly (3,815-22) instructed the board to “take appropriate action to challenge and stop USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) from allowing the importation of beef products from cattle older than 30 months of age, as well as the importation of live cattle over 30 months (OTM) of age, from Japan or any other BSE-affected country.”

Regarding animal identification, members approved by a vote of 3,628-183 the following resolution: “R-CALF USA opposes a federally mandated national animal identification program. R-CALF USA opposes a totally privatized, centralized database and/or a federally centralized database. R-CALF USA supports a voluntary animal-health traceback system that ensures the protection of individual data, and a system that is compatible with the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). R-CALF USA shall continue to work with the federal government, state governments and Tribal governments, as well as the industry, to determine the feasibility, functionality, and benefit to the U.S. cattle industry of an animal-health traceback system that incorporates existing systems, such as brand programs and the Intertribal Cattle Connect program, and vests the responsibilities and authority under the auspices of state animal health officials and Tribal governments.

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