Kerry Dockter, I-BAND president, Denhoff

I would like to respond to a situation that happened January 24th, 2022.

Representatives from I-BAND and DRC were invited as guests to be on the Joel Heitkamp radio program. We intended to talk about an important bill, the American Beef Labeling Act and why ranchers and consumers should support it.

Before we could address the bill and country of origin labeling, Joel asked for more information about I-BAND’s North Dakota Beef to School Program. I shared with him how successful our program was. Schools were pleased and clearly preferred ND beef compared to the commodity beef previously used.

Soon after, Joel addressed a caller who had many questions and concerns about the statements that I had made about the ND Beef to School Program. I soon recognized the caller as a past director of the ND Stockmen’s Association, former president of the NDSA, former director of the ND Beef Commission and former member on the NCBA board.

What disturbs me is he made allegations that ND Beef can’t be better than the commodity beef because no “data” supports that! My point is that ND Beef is produced in our state, born, raised & processed here. The commodity beef has the USDA stamp on it, but not where it came from, or if it was imported or produced domestically. This person identified himself as a rancher. If he does not have enough pride in his product to feel confident that it won’t be superior to unidentified beef from the commodity program, that totally amazes me

If he thought this when he led as a previous president and board member of other beef organizations, he didn’t represent a majority of ranchers in North Dakota well. Is this the attitude & direction that NDSA is going? I hope not.