BILLINGS, Mont., Sept. 23, 2026 – Seven R-CALF USA rollover calf sale fundraisers had been held throughout the nation, elevating a complete of $135,724 to help R-CALF USA’s work on behalf of impartial U.S. cattle producers.
R-CALF USA is the one nationwide cattle group solely funded by donations and membership dues and doesn’t obtain beef checkoff {dollars}. The continued help of livestock markets, calf donors, consumers and producers across the nation by fundraisers just like the rollover calf gross sales is an important a part of the group’s work.
“As a grassroots group, it’s American cattle producers and supporters throughout the nation who make every part R-CALF USA does attainable,” stated R-CALF USA President Dave Hyde. “From the producers who donate their cattle to the sale barns that host these fundraisers to everybody who raises a hand to bid, we’re extremely grateful to every one who continues to put money into R-CALF USA and the work we do on behalf of impartial cattle producers.”
The 2025-2026 calf sale season started Sept. 24, 2025, at Platte Livestock Market in Platte, South Dakota.
“Supporting R-CALF USA is big. I imply, they’re on the market combating for the rancher proper now and we want all the assistance we are able to get in getting this beef labeled and every part,” stated Platte Livestock Market proprietor Scott Kirsch.
For the fourth consecutive 12 months, James Fulwider and Kevin Talsma of Iona, South Dakota, donated a yearling steer, with all proceeds going to R-CALF USA. The steer raised $15,385.
Buffalo Livestock Advertising in Buffalo, Wyoming, hosted an R-CALF USA rollover calf sale Dec. 6, 2025. Largent and Sons of Kaycee, Wyoming, donated a weaned Hereford heifer calf that raised $14,500.
“We had been more than pleased to donate and had been more than happy with the outcomes,” stated Mark Largent. “The method was seamless, easy and we might be very concerned about doing it once more.”
Largent stated he helps obligatory nation of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef. “We’re plumb tickled with R-CALF. We wish MCOOL to get in place. If we might get MCOOL, it might assist us a lot.”
In Crawford, Nebraska, Crawford Livestock Market hosted an R-CALF USA rollover calf sale on Jan. 9, 2026.
Crawford Livestock Market proprietor Alicia Robertson expressed her appreciation for the help R-CALF USA supplies producers and emphasised the significance of supporting the U.S. cattle trade.
“I feel the primary factor that everybody within the nation must know is that we have to eat and lift U.S. beef. We have to demand U.S. beef. We have to market U.S. beef,” stated Robertson. “We’re proper right here in the US the place we elevate the most effective meals sources on the earth. We simply have to be sure that our individuals help our trade.”
For the third 12 months, Jack and Penny Dye of Dyesville Angus in Hermosa, South Dakota, donated a heifer calf to the rollover public sale. Their donation raised $8,286 for R-CALF USA.
Atkinson Livestock Market in Atkinson, Nebraska, hosted an R-CALF USA rollover calf sale Jan. 20, 2026. For the fourth consecutive 12 months, Paulsen Land and Cattle, owned by Matt and Julie Paulsen of Niobrara, Nebraska, donated a heifer calf. The fundraiser generated $15,569 for R-CALF USA.
“No one knew the true points within the cattle trade, and that’s why I began doing it,” Paulsen stated. “No one actually knew the issues and the dilemmas inside the trade as a result of you might have organizations like NCBA saying ‘every part is nice.’”
Paulsen stated R-CALF USA is the one grassroots group within the nation that helps impartial cattle producers.
Huron Continental Advertising in Huron, South Dakota, hosted an R-CALF USA rollover calf sale Feb. 3, 2026. Proceeds from the fundraiser had been divided between R-CALF USA and its affiliate, Unbiased Beef Affiliation of North Dakota (I-BAND).
R-CALF USA Area III Director Ron Volk, who additionally serves on the I-BAND board of administrators, donated a heifer calf that raised $1,893 for every group.
“I like how R-CALF places the producers first, and the producers are the individuals on the market doing the work, doing the trade manufacturing,” stated Huron Continental Advertising proprietor Kim Ulmer. “I feel the producers ought to be protected, and that’s why I’ve supported R-CALF for years and years, as a result of I really feel like they’re watching the again of each cattle rancher and producing outcomes for the individuals and making consciousness that must be continued.
“I feel all people must get entangled within the political aspect of it,” Ulmer stated. “I might suggest the producers examine the cattle organizations which can be making an attempt to guard them and get entangled one way or the other, somewhat than simply learn the information and surprise what’s happening or wait till the information is out.”
In La Junta, Colorado, La Junta Livestock Fee hosted an R-CALF USA Rollover Calf Sale on April 29, 2026. James Bledsoe and Wil Bledsoe of Hugo, Colorado, donated a calf to the sale, with all proceeds going to R-CALF USA. The calf raised $31,600.
Climate and drought stay main considerations for cattle producers within the area, in keeping with La Junta Livestock Fee President and Normal Supervisor Jace Honey.
“That’s most likely the most important factor proper now that everyone’s speaking about. We’d like some moisture,” Honey stated.
“[R-CALF USA] represents the cattle trade, not the meat trade,” Honey stated. “I feel that’s what helps us as a lot as something is that the nationwide public and customers don’t perceive that the ranchers don’t get wealthy by promoting cattle. It’s the packers who get wealthy by promoting meat to the distributor.”
Longtime supporters of R-CALF USA, Fort Pierre Livestock Public sale in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, closed out the 2025-2026 R-CALF USA rollover calf sale season with its annual sale June 5, 2026. The calf was donated by Dean and Delia Johnson and raised $48,491.
“These barns placing these rollovers collectively is nice for this group,” stated Bryan Hanson, proprietor of Fort Pierre Livestock Public sale.
“That is the best way we may give, and it offers all people a canine within the battle,” stated Delia Johnson. “It simply means a lot when 50 producers rise up at a sale and decide to giving a part of their calf verify to the group. It’s what holds us collectively and what retains us humble.
“We’ve had our coronary heart and soul on this group from when Herman and Johnny and people authentic guys got here round,” Johnson continued. “Our little 4-H membership served a meal to get individuals to come back, and we noticed the sunshine there. That was the one hope we had.
“We’ve held on to it fairly tight, and it’s paid off,” she stated. “It’s the one cause we’re all nonetheless out right here as impartial cattlemen.”
R-CALF USA is now scheduling rollover calf sale fundraisers for the 2026-2027 season, which is able to kick off Sept. 23 at Platte Livestock Market in Platte, South Dakota, with a calf donated by James Fulwider and Kevin Talsma.
Livestock markets concerned about internet hosting a rollover calf sale or producers concerned about donating a calf are inspired to contact R-CALF USA Operations Director Candace Bullard at candacebullard@r-calfusa.com or 406-591-9009.
Pictured from left: Bryan Hanson, Ft. Pierre Livestock Public sale proprietor; Wil Bledsoe and son, Colorado cattle producers; Julie Paulsen, Nebraska cattle producer; Ron Volk; R-CALF USA Area II Director Judy McCullough; James Fulwider, South Dakota cattle producer; and R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair Brett Kenzy.

–R-CALF USA