Black Hills Fox: Tomi Lahren speaks for country of origin labeling at R-Calf convention
By Heather Janssen | Aug 26, 2017
It’s been a difficult couple of years for the cattle industry in recent times. Now farmers and ranchers are working towards a solution, coming together at the R-Calf Convention here in Rapid City.
This is the organization’s 18th annual convention — this year they’re looking at the collapse in cattle prices and extreme unpredictability in the cattle markets.
Part of the blame, the lack of moisture this year, causing distress among ranchers and farmers in our region.
Bill Bullard, CEO of R-Calf says, “It’s making it extremely difficult for ranchers to stay in business. Particularly in the drought areas that we’ve experienced this year as well. We’re talking about the changes that are needed to ensure that independent cattle producers can continue to be profitable in this industry, continue to support their rural communities, and continue to be the largest segment of American agriculture.”
The group brought in well-known conservative political commentator, Tomi Lahren, to speak at this weekend’s event. One message she hopes to get across looks to help those farmers and ranchers in need right now with country of origin labeling on meat products.
Tomi Lahren says, “You know where you get your oranges from, you know where you get all of your produce from, but you don’t know where you get your meat from. I take issue with that. I think the American consumer deserves to know and that’s what we’re pushing for. That’s what R-Calf is pushing for. We just want to label the meat as being born and bred in the U.S.A. and give our cattlemen a chance to compete and give them a chance to making a living for themselves and their families.”
Lahren says the lack of ‘COOL‘ in the cattle industry greatly impacts families in the Heartland, including here in South Dakota. She hopes the problem can be solved under our current administration.