RANCHER REVOLT: Rally planned against government tagging, database requirement

Producers fear loss of privacy and government control

Regional cattle producers plan to rally in Rapid City in October against a new federal mandate requiring electronic tagging of cattle and bison herds.

The mandate has stoked the anger of some cattle producers concerned the vast amount of data generated by individual electronic tags could be used to undermine their privacy and, ultimately, be used against the industry by anti-agriculture interests.

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The “Livestock Producers Freedom Rally” on Oct. 7 coincides with the 133rd annual convention of the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, running from Oct. 7-9. The rally is sponsored by two producer groups: the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and R-CALF, Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America.

U.S. Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, R-Wyoming, is among the scheduled speakers, as is South Dakota Rep. Marty Overweg, R-New Holland. R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard and USCA President Justin Tupper will also speak.

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