Cattlemen’s Meeting in Joplin Discusses COOL

Jackie Moore, co-owner Joplin Regional Stockyards, wrapped up a March 11 information session on country of origin labeling by saying, “I think everyone in the room will agree that labeling is good but the current rules and laws are not workable.  We need change; call your senators and congressmen.”

A panel of nationally known speakers was invited to southwest Missouri by Joplin Regional Stockyards, to address country of origin labeling.  The speakers talked about the country of origin law, current USDA voluntary rules and how they affect producers, and the industry now and when they become mandatory Oct. 1, 2004.  The speakers were: Bill Sessions, USDA; Mark Dopp, American Meat Institute; Marcine Moldenhauer, Excel Corporation; and Jay Truitt, NCBA.  All four gave presentations and answered questions for nearly three-and-a-half hours from a producer audience estimated near 400.  More listened via the Internet.

“The sale arena audience was made up of producers not only from Missouri but also Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska”, said Ken Disselhorst president of the Missouri Cattlemen Association.  “Different views were expressed about the law and the rule and how they are going to effect people from many levels of production.  Most probably left with as many questions as answers.  That alone is a large part of the problems with this law. That and the fact it is likely to have a negative affect on many Missouri cow/calf producers pocketbooks this fall.”

Producers spoke on boths sides of the issue.  To view a recording of the Joplin COL Session go to http://www.mocattle.org.