June 30, 2009
"I've never backed down from a fight," said Herman Schumacher.
With that the Herreid, S.D., cattleman and co-founder of R-CALF USA -- a controversial group that has made a name for itself by suing USDA and meat packers -- kicked off a press conference Friday in front of his home, which Tyson is seizing to cover its attorney's fees in a failed price manipulation lawsuit.
Schumacher and two other cattlemen sued Tyson, claiming the meat packer had manipulated prices it paid feeders in violation of the Packers and Stockyards Act.
A federal jury in Aberdeen, S.D., ruled in favor of Schumacher, but Tyson appealed and a panel of judges overturned the verdict. The court allows defendants to collect attorney fees from the plaintiffs. Schumacher's share is approximately $15,000.
U.S. Marshalls posted the seizure notice on Schumacher's blue rambler June 11.
Having "No Trespassing" and "Warning" signs posted on the front door of his house in a town of 400 "was an embarrassment," says Schumacher, who owns ranchland, is a partner in a feedlot and, until recently, ran one of the largest livestock auctions in South Dakota. "There were a lot of rumors."
The posting was also another salvo in the on-going battle of words between R-CALF USA and meat packers.
"The day they posted my house, I had to sell Tyson a pen of cattle and I lost $100,000 on them," Schumacher told about 150 supporters, who attended the rally. "It not enough that they control the market, now they think need to teach us a lesson, too."
The seizure notice "is not just posted on my door," Schumacher said. "It is posted on the door of every cattle producer … Tyson is letting the world know they are in charge."
Bill Bullard, R-CALF USA's CEO, said the organization will continue to fight Tyson and the other meat packers. Their effort will shift from the courts to Congress. Bullard says the Obama administration indicated it is concerned with market concentration in the meat industry, too.
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