[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 88 (Friday, June 14, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6277-S6278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SOUTH DAKOTANS LEAD EFFORT TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF LOW CATTLE PRICES

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, the Advisory Committee on Agricultural 
Concentration has submitted its final report to Secretary of 
Agriculture Dan Glickman. The committee has been investigating the 
relationship between concentration in the livestock processing and 
packing industry and the record low prices in the cattle market. It did 
a tremendous job identifying the problems facing our Nation's livestock

[[Page S6278]]

producers, and its recommendations have been widely praised within the 
agricultural community.
  The success of the advisory committee was in no small measure 
attributable to its membership. The panel consisted of 21 individuals 
from across the country who represent a cross section of the livestock 
industry. It included farmers, ranchers, meat packers, processors, 
poultry growers, retailers, and economists.
  While all committee members should be commended for their 
determination to get to the bottom of the livestock concentration 
issue, I want to single out for special mention the two members from 
South Dakota: Herman Schumacher and Tyrone Moos.
  Herman Schumacher, who served as vice-chair of the advisory 
committee, lives in Herried, SD. He owns and operates the Herried 
Livestock Auction, is past president of the South Dakota Livestock 
Auction Markets Association, and is part owner of a cattle feedlot.
  Without question, Herman is one of the most tenacious and persuasive 
advocates for cattle producers I have ever met. He understands American 
agriculture and never stops looking for ways to address problems facing 
farmers and ranchers. Herman's expertise and leadership were 
instrumental to the development of the committee's consensus findings 
and recommendations. In addition, he helped craft additional minority 
views that are more prescriptive than the consensus views in outlining 
responses to problems identified in the report.
  Tyrone Moos is a grain and livestock producer from Philip, SD, who 
also serves as director of the Harvest States Cooperative. Tyrone's 
expertise in both grain and livestock issues were invaluable to the 
committee's deliberations.
  One focus of the committee's review was the impact of concentration 
in the agricultural transportation industry. The century-old problem of 
insufficient access to rail cars contributes to the determination of 
the final price a producer receives for his or her commodities, and 
Tyrone's experience helped shape the committee's findings in this area. 
Additionally, Tyrone's influence was evident in the tone and substance 
of the final recommendations for both the consensus and minority views 
sections of the report.
  When Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman called to solicit Herman's 
and Tyrone's service on this important committee, it would have been 
easy for them to decline the invitation. The commitment and sacrifice 
asked of them was significant.
  The Department of Agriculture did not offer compensation, not even 
for travel expenses. But it did ask for a significant commitment of 
time. Herman, Tyrone and their colleagues served countless hours on the 
panel's work--time that could have been spent looking after their own 
business interests or with their families.
  The advisory committee's inquiry directed needed attention to the 
serious problem of stagnating cattle prices, provided insights on the 
nature of that problem and offered recommendations for what might be 
done about it. Farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and elsewhere 
should be thankful for that effort.
  The work of the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Concentration is 
done. It is now up to our Nation's policymakers to evaluate the panel's 
findings and act on its recommendations. I look forward to taking the 
baton passed on by Herman Schumacher and Tyrone Moos, and I thank them 
for pointing the way to a solution to the problem of concentration in 
agriculture.

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