7 minute read
Increasing Funds for OCA
increasing funds for oca: Committee looks to a two-hat solution
By Ray Sessler, past OCA President
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Every year at our annual meeting, when the budget for the upcoming year is proposed, you can be sure of one thing – there are never enough dollars! To address this issue, a group of like-minded OCA members met in La Grande on January 2, 2020, in the Union County Courthouse to discuss possible avenues for increasing stable funding for the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association. The attendees were as follows: Todd Nash, OCA President-Elect; Rodger Huffman, OCA Treasurer; Bill Moore, past President; Dennis Sheehy OCA Wildlife Chairman and Skye Krebs, Bob Levy, and me.
OCA is critically short of resources to deal with pressures on the industry from opposing agencies and legislatures. Pressure will continue and will most certainly increase, which means there is a necessity for new avenues of funding to support the association’s work. Wages and staff are at maximum pay for what OCA can afford and even so, they fall below in compensation compared to similar jobs in comparative industries. State and federal issues require more resources to change public opinion and legislator’s perspectives of our industry.
Political donation dollars buy votes, as distasteful as it is, such as wolf and elk depredation (funds are not being paid to producers with death losses), spotted frog, marbled murrelet, salmon red-band trout, public grazing, water tide gates and wild horses just to name a few.
During the meeting, avenues were discussed to increase membership and endowments, sponsor events that generate a profit and to review the allocation of the Beef Checkoff, managed by the Oregon Beef Council. The idea was made to investigate Oregon becoming a TWO-HAT STATE, which would mean merging the Beef Council and OCA under one roof and staff would wear “two hats.” becoming a two-hat state they became more efficient, which has enabled them to be more effective regarding the needs of the cattlemen they serve. A single CEO instead of two and under one roof reduces expenses significantly, increases communication efforts and improves the fellowship between the Beef Council and the state association. There should be zero friction between the Beef Council and OCA. We are all cattlemen, but the key thought here is:
This is our money – has it been spent wisely?
After discussion, it appeared that some Beef Checkoff funding could be reallocated through the Oregon fifty cent, “five dimes” program at OBC to better support cattlemen’s efforts. Bob Levy agreed to review this program while I would continue to investigate issues that may arise surrounding two-hat states.
Prior to the April OCA board call, all board members had received considerable information on both issues. On that call OCA staff and Bob Levy reviewed the Beef Checkoff dollars. It was decided for OCA to move forward with an authorization request to OBC for an additional $40,000 under the Study Legislation “dime” to increase legal work on behalf of cattlemen.
So where do we go from here? With 100% participation from the OCA board, we agreed to move forward with reviewing opportunities for increased funding from the Beef Council and to continue the initiation of a TWO-HAT STATE effort. Todd Nash and Bob Levy have agreed to help with these efforts. Stay tuned for future updates on this strategic plan. •
Currently there are fourteen two-hat states. I spoke with leadership from five of them: Utah, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and Mississippi. Two-hat states vary in size. For instance, Utah has an average of 800 members, 340,000 head of cows and a staff of two. While Alabama has 10,000 members, 705,000 head of cattle and a staff of eight. All CEOs were very forthcoming when I asked, why did you become a two-hat state?
The consensus from all the states was that by
By OCA Communications Director Robyn H. Smith On March 26, I released a survey to OCA’s Facebook audience and email newsletter readers. Over the course of ten days, I received 212 responses from a wide range of people involved in Oregon’s cattle industry. Here are the results:
Where are you in the beef supply chain?
Written responses *these are not the opinions of OCA go to ‘resources’ in your membership portal to read all ritten responses to these questions. 1# Concern for the cattle industry?
That the packers are going to put the producers out of business. People won’t have any cash to buy our meat. If small farmers will not make it through these tough times. Being paid fairly. The farmer/rancher seems to be getting screwed while the packers and retailers continue to make money and raise their prices, but we aren’t seeing our revenue increase. Low prices mean inability to pay off operating loans. Monopolies in the packing industry that control beef prices. Rising prices for equipment and parts, lack of availability of parts. #1 Concern in relation to COVID-19? Safety of my elderly family members. My kids missing important milestones. Livestock shows, proms, sports, graduations, etc. People from large cities and out of state are coming to our stores and buying stuff out. It is 100+ miles to any city from our ranch. The coronavirus infecting Packing House employees. Being able to sell beef at auction for fair values and packers taking advantage of the markets during a period of crisis. That it will continue to control how we do business as a world.
Ho long have you been in the beef supply chain?
44% Over 30 years 33% 12-30 years 14% 6-12 years 8% 0-5 years
Any other thoughts to share with the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association? The Futures Market for livestock needs to be scrutinized this process is not equitable for the producer. Not sure why anyone raises cows for profit during this marketing process. Seems as though only those that do not raise cows in the process make a profit. I wish OCA would back the country of origin label. I want to know where my food comes from. I also think membership will decrease due to national affiliate’s ties to packers. We need better access to USDA facilities so we can fatten and sell directly without having to sell a large portion of a live animal. OCA policy resolutions (Market Assistance, Labeling Transparency, Targeted Grazing) are positively influencing national policy. I am impressed with your communications dept.; provisions of critical and valuable information- forward thinking. Nicely done! Bring back COOL let the consumer decide what they want to eat! Packer monopoly is killing independent producers. The cow/calf producer and the feedlots need better representation. This is a scary time especially for those young people who are taking over family ranches. That we are not being represented on the national level by our own organization! OCA stop the huge corporations from rigging the market. I would like to see OCA help get COOL reinstated.
53% sai they support the
congressional ecision to pass a $2 trillion ollar
stimulus package
75% said cattle prices have decreased for them 33% said they have been unable to attend an auction near them 12% said they can’t find beef in a store near them 63% said they work on their own farm, so their daily routine has not changed 12% said they are working more to
make up for fewer employees 7% said they do not know how they will pay their bills next month 5% said they have been laid off or filed for unemployment
District Participation:
District 1: 39 results
District 2: 22 results
District 3: 18 results
District 4: 19 results
District 5: 25 results
District 6: 43 results
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