FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why ICOW?

It became clear that Wyoming 's family ranchers, and the people who support them, needed a stronger voice in Cheyenne —one that works faithfully and exclusively for family livestock interests in the Cowboy State . The oil and gas industry fends very well for itself with its ready cash and banks of lawyers. ICOW exists and operates solely to carry out the instructions of—and advocate for—its members. ICOW members elect the board, vote on policy positions and issue priorities, and rule on its by-laws.

Why do we need another Wyoming livestock group?

Hundreds of Wyoming ranchers—along with hundreds of other people who support ranching's role in Wyoming 's economy and heritage—have not belonged to any existing stock group. They deserve a voice in state policy debates that affect livestock's future, and ICOW is providing it. From marketing your cattle to protecting your property rights, your issues and concerns are ICOW's issues and concerns. ICOW and its leadership will pay attention to you—and do what you want it to. Accountability and respect for its membership are the reason ICOW was founded. We are a grassroots, bottom up, organization. ICOW is for all ranchers, and includes small to large operators.

Why affiliate with R-CALF?

For a decade now, R-CALF has been the national voice of America 's cattle producers—and only cattle producers. R-CALF allowed cattle ranchers to declare their independence from organizations that attempted to serve other masters as well: the packers, the processors, the grocers. Far from compromising our independence, affiliating with R-CALF enhances it. While R-CALF works for cattlemen at the national level—battling for trade, marketing and federal agricultural policies that protect ranchers, herd safety and our markets—ICOW dedicates itself to strengthening Wyoming policies that support ranchers, and the people who depend on them, right here in our state. On issue after issue, ICOW is working to improve producer profitability—and rural economies across Wyoming . ICOW will stand with other organizations that are in agreement with ICOW policy, which is set by the members.

What are current issues ICOW is working on?

1. NAIS With the help of the R-CALF ID committee, ICOW was behind Rep. Sue Wallis's bill to take Wyoming out of NAIS. Members of ICOW and R-CALF see the danger to private property rights, the huge expense--to the producers--of an unproven system, the vulnerability of the private data in a huge national bank, the huge headache to producers when cattle are moved to summer pastures and back home as well as the marketing nightmare. Enforcement costs to the state, and the loss of large animal veterinarians, to a huge state bureaucracy to enforce NAIS compliance has not been calculated. The Wyoming Livestock Board has not signed up for another year of the cooperative agreement with the USDA. They are listening to us and will be holding meetings around the state. Members of ICOW need to participate in these meeting to plan a Wyoming Animal Health Plan, which uses current brands, brucellosis tags, and other owner contact methods.

2. Eminent domain ICOW is watching how the bill on sequestration of carbon is shaping up, how it might affect the private property rights should voids be declared a separate property, how eminent domain might compromise private property rights, and if a property is taken to use for sequestration and unforeseen contamination occurs—who is liable—the property owner or the taker?

3 2008 Farm Bill

ICOW and R-CALF have closely monitored this bill since the beginning and have had extensive input into the process through the offices of Senator Enzi, Senator Thomas, and now Senator Barrasso, and Rep. Barbara Cubin. We have good stuff in the bill, but would like to see the captive supply amendment get in as well as the picket fixit amendment to give fair trade to producers.

Why join ICOW

As a member-controlled and member-driven organization, ICOW will be as good as its members make it. The future of ICOW as a strong voice for Wyoming 's family livestock and ranching industries depends on its members. It depends on you.