Packer controlled and checkoff-funded NCBA, represents less than 40,000 members of the nearly one million U.S. cattle producers, many of which are generated through feeder cartel and feeder council member feedlots and many of whom do not participate, plus many who may not even be aware they are a member. You may have seen in the recent news coverage of our small town, Spencer, South Dakota, recently wiped out by a tornado, residents wondering why it should be rebuilt. The town was already gasping its last breaths. This small agricultural community is made up of many farmers and ranchers exploited to the point they are left believing there is no hope. The biggest cause of death in agriculture is suicide.
Producers feel shut out of the system and feel helpless and hopeless.
Without a healthy, diversified agriculture we will fail as a nation. Be forewarned that the U.S. Beef Industry is in catastrophic crisis. They have their fingers on the pulse of both the producing and consuming markets and are in such a position of strategic advantage they have unrestrained power to manipulate both markets to their own advantage and to the disadvantage of over 99 percent of the people of the country. Such power is too great, Mr. President to repose in the hands of any men. Senator Kendrick's efforts resulted in the establishment of the 1921 Packers and Stockyards Act.