RAPID CITY, S.D., Sept. 20, 2024 – American cattle producers are expected to gather Monday, Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. MDT at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center, located at 2111 N. Lacrosse St. in Rapid City, South Dakota, for the Livestock Producers Freedom Rally.
The event will include multiple presentations discussing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) final rule mandating the use of electronic identification (EID) eartags on adult cattle shipped across state lines.
R-CALF USA, America’s largest organization exclusively representing independent cattle producers, has partnered with the South Dakota Stockgrowers Association and several other groups nationwide to highlight the broad opposition to the mandate.
Speakers for the event will include U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, South Dakota state Rep. Marty Overweg, Wyoming state Rep. Chip Neiman, R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard, “Feeder Flash” host Corbitt Wall, and United States Cattlemen’s Association President Justin Tupper.
“The intention is to encourage Congress to pass the legislation that has already been introduced in Washington to overturn the EID mandate,” noted Bullard referring to Senate and House bills S.4282, S.J.Res.98, and H.J.Res.167.
“Everyone is invited to attend and should know that your participation will make a huge difference in our ongoing effort to stop USDA’s EID mandate,” Bullard said.
The event is open to the public and will be live-streamed at cattleusa.com and dvauction.com. View the event poster here.