Dave Hyde and Eric Gropper Elected to Lead R-CALF Board
The Board of Directors at R-CALF USA has elected new leadership during its January session, marking a significant shift towards enhancing industry advocacy and implementing vital reforms.
Dave Hyde, formerly the Region VIII Director, has been elected president, while Eric Gropper from Region X will serve as the new vice president.
Hyde, who operates Hyde Farms in Ohio with his family, has been an active board member since 2019. His leadership vision includes stringent advocacy for the cattle industry, emphasizing the necessity of mandatory country of origin labeling and reforming financial oversight.
"We are in the cattle industry, not the beef industry; and the cattle industry’s money is being used against us with no oversight or accountability,” Hyde articulated, setting a clear agenda for his tenure.
Eric Gropper, who manages a cow/calf operation in South Dakota, represents tribal cattle producers and has been equally vocal about protecting the competitiveness of the market.
“If we don’t want our markets taken away like they were in 2015, then we are the ones that have to stand united and fight for it,” Gropper emphasized, advocating for a transparent and competitive market.
Ron Volk steps in as Region III Director, taking over from Brett Kenzy, while Thad Montgomery takes on the role for the Mid-Atlantic region after Alan Pruitt.
This new leadership is set to drive R-CALF USA’s mission forward, focusing on market transparency, competitive practices, and ensuring that the voices of cattle producers are heard and respected in a challenging agricultural landscape.
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