Join us January 10th in Timberville, VA If we are going to take on the world’s largest corporations, all independent farmers and ranchers must be organized and speaking as one voice. Join us to say “enough is enough.” WHAT: With this year’s calf prices dropping to about half of what they were a year ago and putting Virginia and West Virginia cattle producers’ viability in question, cattle producers will learn of actions to take to win back a Read More …
Lincoln, NE – Today, the Office of Management and Budget released USDA’s Farmer Fair Practices Rules – commonly called the “GIPSA” rules – regarding contracts between poultry companies and growers. The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) has been fighting for enforcement of GIPSA regulations since the USDA introduced rules in 2009, and looks forward to these newly released rules being enacted. Speaking at USDA’s news conference, Mike Weaver, poultry grower and OCM President, offered the following statement: “The Read More …
LINCOLN, NE – The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) congratulates President-elect Donald Trump on his election. His recognition of the economic injustices suffered by America’s farmers and ranchers was rewarded by rural America. OCM is optimistic about working with the new administration. OCM is concerned, however, that the Trump administration isn’t working for the “little guy,” especially in agriculture. Virtually all steering committee members and proposed appointees thus far are Big Ag insiders. Traditional family farmers are not Read More …
Cattle Producers Mad as Hell and Not Gonna Take It Anymore BAY SPRINGS, MS – Yesterday evening, over 100 farmers and ranchers gathered in Bay Springs, Mississippi to say “enough is enough.” With this year’s calf prices dropping to about half of what they were a year ago and putting Mississippi cattle producers’ viability in question, cattle producers learned of actions they can take to win back a free and just market to regain their fair share of Read More …
On Tuesday, NCBA’s attempt to delay and disrupt OCM’s search for the truth hit a snag when a federal court greatly limited its role in a lawsuit for beef checkoff records. A federal court allowed the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) a limited entry into a lawsuit brought by OCM to obtain audit records of the beef checkoff program. NCBA had been seeking full party status. In part the court’s order stated, “NCBA’s participation in this case is limited Read More …
In recent press statements, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has made false statements regarding the beef checkoff audits. Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) would like to set the record straight. In 2010, the Clifton Gunderson Accounting Firm performance review commissioned by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, examined small number of expenditures and personnel time cards over a 29-month period ending in 2010. Irregularities were uncovered which resulted in the NCBA having to return to the National Beef Board more Read More …
On Friday, September 30, 2016, attorneys for the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) filed their response in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to the National Cattleman Beef Association’s (NCBA) late attempt to intervene in a case filed by OCM to obtain records from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) related to Beef Checkoff Program activities. In October of 2014, OCM filed the original complaint for injunctive relief, demanding the OIG for the U.S. Department Read More …
On Tuesday, in a desperate move to conceal the truth about how cattlemen’s Beef Checkoff funds have been spent, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) filed a late claim to intervene in a case that has been ongoing for nearly two years and on an issue that the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) has been pursuing for over five years. In October of 2014, OCM filed the original complaint for injunctive relief, demanding the Office of Inspector General Read More …