ICOW Policy
ICOW Policy
2024
ICOW Policy
Affiliation with R-CALF USA 2007
WHEREAS: ICOW represents and is organized to protect and promote the future viability of the Wyoming family livestock and ranching industries; and
WHEREAS; R-CALF USA represents the U.S. cattle industry in trade and marketing issues to ensure the continued profitability and viability of independent U.S. cattle producers, and is a strong national voice;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW affiliates with R-CALF USA, and the Board shall have discretion to adopt R-CALF USA policy as interim policy in fulfillment of the Association’s mission.
Animal ID Resolution #1 2007, 2011
WHEREAS: Existing systems for identification of premises and cattle, including brands, are effective for disease control; and
WHEREAS: Changes to optimize existing systems can be accomplished by state authorities without implementation of the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT); and
WHEREAS: The implementation of the ADT, whether by the federal or state governments, raises concerns about the impact on private property rights, privacy, and the ability to conduct business;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: ICOW opposes any government action that funds or mandates premise registration and individual or industry participation in the ADT.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that no level of government or any private entity may use any form of coercion or ultimatum to elicit producer compliance with ADT.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: animal owners should be entitled to an “opt-out” option of their premises’ ID.
Animal ID Resolution #2 2008, 2011
WHEREAS: the State of Wyoming is a Brand Law State, and is working on an Animal health trace back program;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW supports a livestock trace back system. All data would be held by the state of Wyoming. ICOW opposes the harmonization of these existing systems with, or the use of, these existing systems to implement or promote ADT
Animal Health Resolution #1 2007
WHEREAS: Wyoming has brucellosis in the bison and elk herds in the Yellowstone and Teton Ecosystems, which threaten the health of Wyoming livestock herds;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: ICOW supports mandatory testing of bison and elk in the Yellowstone and Teton Ecosystems by multiple means, including but not limited to; trapping, testing and vaccinating bison and elk in those areas.
ICOW supports the implementation of management practices by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Parks & Wildlife Service that would control the size of both the bison and elk herds in said vicinities.
ICOW requests the USDA to continue the current brucellosis program in Wyoming, and to fund the program, which is also a proven method of animal ID for livestock disease traceback purposes, with minimal financial burden or recordkeeping burdens on independent Wyoming livestock producers and related livestock marketing facilities.
It shall be the policy of ICOW to advocate for a comprehensive plan and appropriate funding to eliminate the Brucella abortus bacterim from Wyoming’s wildlife population by 2012.
Animal Health Resolution #3 2008
BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW supports strong importation restrictions and enforcement to prevent disease introduction into Wyoming such as foot and mouth.
Animal Health Resolution #4 2009
BE IT RESOLVED: ICOW will request our U.S. representative and senators to actively oppose USDA, APHIS, Homeland Security relocation of the Plum Island research facility to the U.S. mainland.
Animal Health Resolution #5 2010
WHEREAS: Wyoming has a Livestock Board;
WHEREAS: Wyoming has statutes against inhumane treatment of all animals;
WHEREAS: Wyoming government needs to be smaller;
WHEREAS: As the Pet bill and the Protection of Livestock bill violate the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution;
THEREFORE: ICOW strongly opposes the passage of these two bills, or any bill promulgating those measures.
Animal Health Resolution #6 2012
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW supports continuing the separation of the Wyoming Livestock Board from the Wyoming Department of Agriculture Board.
Animal Health Resolution #7 2013
WHEREAS: Wyoming State Statute Title 11 Sec 29 Protection of Livestock Animals provides for adequate standards of care for livestock under the law and provides for fines and penalties;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) opposes legislation or rules that would change current law regarding animal cruelty and oppose the formation of a task force to establish such laws.
Animal Health Resolution #8 2013
WHEREAS: the various definitions of the word “Livestock” as contained in various sections of state statue deal specifically with certain sections of the law, and
WHEREAS: changing these definitions could change the intent of the law and have unintended consequences,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) opposes changing the definition of “Livestock” to one all-inclusive definition in Wyoming State Statute.
Animal Health Resolution #9 2013
WHEREAS: Trichomoniasis is an economically dangerous disease, and
WHEREAS: W.S. 11-18-103is on the books,
THEREFORE BE ITRESOLVED: The Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) demand the Wyoming Livestock Board to rule that any intact male bovine 3 years old and older offered for sale at auction be subjected to the Trichomonas testing mandated by W.S. 11-18-103, OR subjected to mandatory slaughter. These animals will be identified by an ‘S’ brand on the left shoulder.
Animal Health Resolution #10 2019
Whereas ICOW members oppose mandatory animal identification (ID) and Animal Disease Traceablily (ADT);
And whereas the State of Wyoming wants to require radio frequency identification (RFID) tags for brucellosis tags;
And whereas the R-CALF USA lawsuit was instrumental in stopping the illegal USDA Animal Disease Traceablility (ADT) RFID tag rule;
Therefore be it resolved; that ICOW opposes the state of Wyoming requiring mandatory RFID tags for bangs tags.
Marketing Resolution #1 2007
WHEREAS: the top five beef slaughterhouses in the United States control 85% of the cattle slaughter market;
WHEREAS: the horizontal concentration and vertical integration have been increasing drastically each year and each decade, with no change in this market degrading trend;
WHEREAS: the U.S. poultry industry has matured in its horizontal concentration and vertical integration to the extent that the open market in poultry is gone and growers are serfs on their own land;
WHEREAS: the U.S. hog industry has progressed in horizontal concentration and vertical integration to a degree that less than 10% of market hogs are sold on the open market;
WHEREAS: supply and demand have little relevance in livestock markets where conditions are dictated by corporate bureaucrats and category captains;
WHEREAS: America and American agriculture was made strong by fair, open, and competitive markets, as well as the individual innovation and entrepreneurship of rural agricultural citizens;
WHEREAS: our children have no future in agriculture without strong governmental corrective action;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW call upon the Wyoming Congressional Delegates to pass, and the appropriate government agency to implement, legislation restoring competition to the markets by ending packer ownership of cattle and captive supplies more than two weeks before slaughter, open and transparent prices, with a firm base price given at the time contract cattle are contracted, implementation of mandatory country of origin (COOL), disallow meatpackers from alleging a “business justification” to avoid Packers & Stockyards Act requirements, and amend the Act to prevent unfair or deceptive practices.
Marketing Resolution #2 2010
GIPSA Rule resolution
WHEREAS: Wyoming’s ranching and livestock business has always played a critical role in our economy and our state’s heritage; and
WHEREAS: the packing and retail food industry continues to exert increasing control over cattle markets and the price paid to producers; and
WHEREAS: only four meat packing companies slaughter in excess of 88% of all cattle in the USA; and 70% of them are captive supply that leaves 30% or less to set the cash price; and
WHEREAS: U.S. Department of Agriculture Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration has proposed a rulemaking at the behest of Congress to bring transparency and fairness back to livestock markets; and
WHEREAS: these rules will benefit livestock producers in Wyoming and throughout the nation;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW supports this rulemaking to return fair and consistent pricing and open sales of livestock for the benefit of our ranchers, farmers, feeders and consumers.
Marketing Resolution #3 2010
WHEREAS: Wyoming livestock producers have limited access to state and federally inspected packing plants; and
WHEREAS: Wyoming livestock producers desire the ability to market their products within and without the State of Wyoming;
BE IT RESOLVED: That ICOW supports the concept of state inspected packing plants having equivalency to federally inspected packing plants, thereby being able to sell products across state lines.
Be it further resolved; That ICOW supports the immediate publishing of the USDA rules for interstate shipment of meat.
Marketing Resolution #4 2010
Quality Food Initiative
WHEREAS: the Federal School Lunch program subsidizes the purchase of food for schools from the cheapest food/lowest bidder;
WHEREAS: Wyoming is a rich agriculture state producing the highest quality foods;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Wyoming Treasurer will replace the Federal Grant with sufficient funds for the purpose of purchasing foods from Wyoming producers.
Marketing Resolution #5 2010
WHEREAS: Wyoming ranchers and farmers can sustain their production enterprises by selling their products to local entities and families; and
WHEREAS: local food production supports our communities;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That ICOW supports the Wyoming Traditional Food Act and the Wyoming Food Freedom Act, each in the broadest sense applicable
Marketing Resolution #6 2011
BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW work publicly with the other Ag organizations as far as ICOW policy agrees.
Marketing Resolution #7 2014
WHEREAS: the Global Roundtable movement constitutes a monopsony with plans to exclude producers who refuse or fail third party certification from the marketplace;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW opposes mandatory participation in third party certification to gain market access. Thus ICOW demands that the Wyoming Legislature enact a statute prohibiting this predatory practice in Wyoming.
Marketing Resolution #8 2015
WHEREAS: the Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) and the United States Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) is an effort to control the U.S. live cattle supply chain;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, ICOW opposes the GRSB and USRSB.
Marketing Resolution #9 2019
Whereas USA cattle producers raise the safest beef in the world and those producers desire to be able to differentiate their product as USA born, raised and slaughtered;
And whereas USA consumers desire to know where their food and beef are raised;
Therefore be it resolved: that ICOW supports mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) at the state, national, and world trade level.
Marketing Resolution #10 2020
Whereas: Four major packers control 85% of the cattle butchered in the USA and thereby are able to collude at every level starting at the pinch point and control the markets on the fed cattle affecting the feeders, backgrounders and cow/calf producers ability to have a fair market for their cattle;
And Whereas: The recent pandemic exposed the vulnerability of vertical integration and the pinch point to control the availability of meat to consumers;
And Whereas: The goal of the giant food conglomerates is to end meat consumption by the common people and force fake meat on consumers;
And Whereas: All but one of the major four packers are owned by foreign countries (Smithfield-China, JBS and Marfrig-Brazil), it places producers and consumers into a national security issue of huge proportions;
And Whereas: Packing Cartels are continuing to engage in price fixing and collusion and are not being checked at the State and Federal levels;
And Whereas: Over regulation by the Federal Government has led to the loss of small meat packers and the consolidation of the big packers;
Therefore: ICOW supports cutting the over regulation so that more small packers can get back into business. ICOW supports producers and consumers pressuring lawmakers to take action to end the illegal cartels engaging in the beef processing and distributing business. ICOW supports making America great again, by insuring lawmakers put an end to allowing foreign countries to own packing houses and controlling food in America.
Marketing Resolution #11 2020
Whereas: Independent beef processors adhere to and practice higher food safety standards above and beyond those required by the USDA;
And Whereas: USA consumers are entitled to be confident their food is safe;
Therefore Be it Resolved: ICOW supports local and small packing plants so that beef can be sold locally, nationally, and/ or Therefore Be it Resolved: ICOW supports local and small packing plants so that beef can be sold locally, nationally, and/ or nationally.
Marketing Resolution #12 2021
Whereas: Concentration in multinational packing industry has caused the cattle market to not be competitive,
Therefore be it resolved: ICOW supports the Grassley-Tester legislation that requires large packers with multiple plants to purchase 50% of their daily cattle procurement for each of their plants from the spot market and to harvest within 14 days of purchase.
International Trade Resolution #1 2007
WHEREAS: international trade policy has a significant impact on the long-term profitability of independent cattle producers;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW will work to ensure that the following provisions be included in all trade agreements; Classification of cattle and beef as perishable and cyclical items, and considered like kind products, quantity and price safeguards, rules of origin (born, raised and slaughtered), and upward harmonization of import health and safety standards.
International Trade Resolution #2 2007
WHEREAS: Canada has a known BSE problem, and the USDA is lowering its standards to allow minimal risk, rather than no risk to the American cattle producers and beef consumers, thereby making the U.S. a dumping ground for beef no other country will accept;
WHEREAS: States are free to develop more stringent import requirements, using the federal standards as a minimum to meet;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW opposes the importation of live cattle, beef and beef products from a known BSE country such as Canada, Japan or any other BSE country;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that ICOW opposes the importation of live cattle, beef and beef products from cattle over 30 months of age;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that Wyoming would implement more stringent import standards than set forth in USDA’s Final Rule on OTM Canadian cattle.
International Trade Resolution #3 2014
WHEREAS: Fast Track Trade Authority (FTTA) is unconstitutional, taking away congressional powers and placing them in the hands of the executive branch;
WHEREAS: FTTA gives authority to the President that will allow secretive trade negotiations with foreign nations and corporations to be approved without proper debate and full critical disclosure of contents of the trade agreements to Congress;
WHEREAS: Congress and citizens should be completely informed and should understand the impacts of the agreement on our nation and our communities;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: ICOW rejects Congress giving FTTA to the President.
Property Rights Resolution #1 2007, 2011
It shall be the policy of ICOW to support a priority use of alleged Federal land for projects for a public use and private property obtained through surface owner consent, rather than condemnation.
Property Rights Resolution #2 2007
It shall be the policy of ICOW to support a compensation formula that includes annual payments for the use of private lands that provide a public use and benefit.
Property Rights Resolution #3 2007
It shall be the policy of ICOW to advocate for “mutual accommodation” in circumstances where existing legitimate property rights may be in conflict.
Property Rights Resolution #4 2007, 2009
It shall be the policy of ICOW to advocate for eminent domain reform in which neither the State nor any political subdivision thereof nor any other condemning entity shall use eminent domain.
Property Rights Resolution #5 2008
WHEREAS: vested and/or riparian water rights are private property and are being threatened by a variety of methods;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW supports legislation to protect those water rights, by maintaining the prior appropriation doctrine
Property Rights Resolution #5B 2011
WHEREAS: Acres with adjudicated water rights are subdivided, and or developed or abandoned;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the allocated water rights be returned to the irrigation district.
Property Rights Resolution #6 2009, 2011
It shall be the policy of ICOW to oppose all takings for all national scenic by-ways, scenic landscapes, recreation trails, open trails, greenways and acquisitions
Property Rights Resolution #7 2009
ICOW will oppose any effort of the Wyoming Legislature to impose a real estate transfer tax.
Property Rights Resolution #8 2010
WHEREAS: Private property rights have been intruded upon;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW supports establishing a Land Patent Committee of members to assist, research and disseminate information regarding the procurement of land patents.
Property Rights Resolution #9 2010, 2011
WHEREAS: UN Agenda 21 is being camouflaged by euphemisms such as Smart Growth, Building the Wyoming We Want, and Sustainability;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: ICOW opposes Smart Growth/UN Agenda 21 global governance according to Amendment V and IX of the United States Constitution.
Property Rights Resolution #10 2012
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: ICOW opposes any expansion or centralization of the authority of the State Land Use Coordinator.
Property Rights Resolution # 11 2012
WHEREAS: Conservation Easements are being funded with public funds through the Wyoming Wildlife Trust Fund, which receives its funding from the General Funds;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: ICOW opposes Conservation Easements being funded by public funds and supports legislative action to end public funding of Conservation Easements.
Property Rights Resolution #12 2012
WHEREAS: the National Grasslands are the second largest component of the National Forest System. The Forest Service currently administers twenty national grasslands consisting of 3,842,278 acres of federal land. National grasslands are located in thirteen states. However, nine national grasslands consisting of 3,161,771 acres of federal land are in the Great Plains states of Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. National Grasslands in these four states alone contain more than 82% of the total National Grassland acreage.
WHEREAS: the National Grasslands, as a component of National Forest System, are not considered as “lands within the National Forest” nor are the National Grasslands under the administration of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Therefore, the grazing of livestock on the Grasslands is not protected under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLMPA) that does protect grazing allotment owners grazing livestock on lands within the National Forest and BLM lands.
WHEREAS: the Thunder Basin National Grasslands (TBNG) located in Northeast Wyoming and primarily in the counties of Campbell, Converse and Weston, consists of 560,166 acres. The
management of the TBNG by the U.S. Forest Service affects the livelihood of many ICOW members in Northeast Wyoming.
WHEREAS: The United States Congress enacted the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) in 1976.
WHEREAS: the FLPMA grazing provisions, located at USC paragraph 1752, provide that Bureau of Land Management and National Forest allotment owners shall have ten year permits, with a first priority right to renewal.
Whereas: the United States Department of Agriculture has issued a legal analysis stating that the grazing provisions of FLPMA do not apply to the National Grasslands.
WHEREAS: the Association of National Grasslands, Inc. (ANG) consists of National Grassland grazing allotment owners.
WHEREAS: the ANG has formally requested Congressional legislative action for the purpose of including the National Grasslands allotment owners under the protections afforded by 43 USC paragraph 1752.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) respectfully requests that the Wyoming Congressional Delegation make every effort to evaluate ANG’s request and make every effort to support ANG’s requested amendment of 43 USC paragraph 1752.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) strongly supports legislation that amends the language in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) to protect National Grassland allotment owners’ due process protections to the same degree enjoyed by and afforded to BLM and National Forest land allotment owners. The simple fix would be to include the phrase “National Forest System lands” into 43 USC 1752, and delete “lands within National Forest in the sixteen contiguous Western States”.
Amendment to Property Rights Policy # 12 2015
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that ICOW vehementy opposes the continued administration of the National Grasslands in Wyoming by the Federal Government.
Amendment to Property Rights Policy #12
Be it Further Resolved: that ICOW strongly supports the recognition of the rancher’s allotment owners property rights in the land.
Property Rights Resolution #13 2013
WHEREAS: Wyoming State Law protects property owners and livestock producers through the established “fence out” laws and established precedence, and
WHEREAS: changes to these laws pose a threat to the future viability of the agricultural industry and our way of life,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) support the State of Wyoming “fence out” laws and their established precedence, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that ICOW opposes legislation or rules that would change current law including livestock trespass or “fence in” laws.
Property Rights Resolution #14 2014
WHEREAS: Directors in BLM and USFS districts use their offices to advance their own political agendas without applied science to restrict the grazing rights of ranchers to assist their environmental organizations that have no vested interest, should immediately be removed from holding office;
WHEREAS: Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17 of the United States Constitution, and W.S.S. 36-12.101-109 does not allow the federal government to own any lands other than those clearly stated in this clause, the BLM and USFS agencies are clearly unconstitutional, public lands must be transferred to the respective states for management;
WHEREAS: Animal Unit Months are grazing rights. They are not permits. Grazing rights are taxed, purchased and tied to water rights, and were not purchased from the federal government but from a private individual. They must not be reduced except at the discretion of the owner of these rights, not of a federal bureaucrat;
WHEREAS: The term stakeholder by definition is, someone with an invested interest not someone or something with an agenda, environmentalists should hold no place at the table when considering grazing rights and the correct management of these rights;
WHEREAS: the Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been used by the environmental groups, BLM, and USFS and is not used for its intended purpose but only to destroy ranchers rights to graze their livestock;
WHEREAS: as far back as the Johne Locke Treatise, the beneficial use of common ground (public lands) for food, fuel and fiber production will be considered private property, these rights must be restored to their original historic numbers and left untouched by the federal government;
WHEREAS: the size of the national cowherd has continued to decline due to drought conditions and to overzealous actions by BLM and USFS agents and their neo-environmental allies to remove cattle and sheep from grazing on public land by using predetermined science instead of peer reviewed science;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming petitions and requests the United States Congress to take the following actions:
- Remove sage-grouse from consideration of being listed as an endangered species.
- Allow control of predators that prey on sage-grouse.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that ICOW encourages landowners to act under Wyoming State Statute (W.S.S. 11-24-102) to manage feral horses according to Appropriate Management Levels (AML).
Property Rights Resolution # 15 2014
WHEREAS: the establishment of National Heritage Areas adversely affect private property rights by influencing local officials to pass zoning laws not otherwise needed and by altering well established processes for land use regulation;
WHEREAS: Congress has designated National Heritage Areas encompassing vast amounts of privately held land since the 1980s in order to highlight specific areas of interest. The Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming appreciates efforts to encourage economic development, but opposes blanket designations that put dissenting private landowners in the unreasonable position of having to ‘opt out’ of federally mandated boundaries; WHEREAS: a National Heritage Area designation invites interference in local affairs by special interest groups who claim to be stakeholders, such as the National Park Service, The Nature
Conservancy, animal rights activists, and environmental groups who do not have the historical perspective or deeply felt stewardship responsibility of owners who work the land;
WHEREAS: a fundamental interdependence exists between individual liberty and the ability to own property, and the members of Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming are very concerned that National Heritage Area designations deprive landowners of their ability to use and enjoy their property as they see fit;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming opposes any National Heritage Area designation in Wyoming and does not wish to confer upon an unelected regional management entity the ability to establish land use policy within the boundaries of the state of Wyoming.
Property Rights Resolution #16 2014
WHEREAS: federal agencies are declaring land use through designation of Wilderness Areas, Wilderness Study Areas, Heritage Areas, Roadless Areas, and Areas of Critical Environmental Concerns, etc., to control land use and access, including grazing rights;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming opposes federal declarations of land use by federal agencies within the states.
Property Rights Resolution # 17 2014
WHEREAS: the Forest Service is preparing an amendment to the Prairie Dog Management Plan on the Thunder Basin National Grasslands;
WHEREAS: part of this amendment is to do a land exchange with the Wyoming State Land Board;
WHEREAS: this land exchange will consist of 10 to 15 school sections (14,000 acres) within the Category I & II Prairie Dog Management Area of the TBNG;
WHEREAS: removing these 14,000 acres of state lands from the grazing permittees will have a devastating economic effect on the affected permittees by turning these lands into a “Prairie Dog Commons”;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: the Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming oppose such proposed land exchange.
Property Rights Resolution #18 2014
WHEREAS: the EPA is proposing rules to control Waters of the United States;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming demands that no regulations under the Environmental Protection Agency’s ‘Waters of the United States’ proposed rules be enforced in Wyoming;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Wyoming legislature enact statutes forbidding the enactment of rules, laws or ordinances effecting these rules by any governmental agency or organizations.
Property Rights Resolution #19 2015
WHEREAS: the Legislature finds that the Livestock Sector of the Agriculture Industry of the State is a critical and significant portion of the Agriculture Industry of the State and necessary for the continued health, prosperity and well being of the people of the State, and;
WHEREAS: a significant number of Livestock within the State spend a significant part of their lives on Federally Managed Range lands, and;
WHEREAS: the U.S. Supreme Court has held that Stockwater Rights, Range Rights, Right-of-Ways, and;
Improvements, appurtenant to or associated with Range Allotments are Property Rights worthy of protection under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and;
WHEREAS: Federal Employees are required by the Fifth Amendment and Executive Order 12630 to consider the Takings Implications of their decisions and actions on the Property Rights or Ranch or Range Allotment Owners before taking those actions;
WHEREAS: as decided in Red Canyon Sheep Company vs. lckes.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that whenever any Federal Employee acting under Color of Law, takes any action harmful to any Ranch or range Allotment Owner in the State that deprives that Owner of any property rights without first giving due consideration to those rights by: 1) conducting a thorough Takings Implication Assessment, 2) giving the Owner due process, and 3) paying just compensation as required by law, that Federal Employee shall be deemed to be in violation of the Constitutional rights of the Ranch or Allotment Owner and acting outside the scope of any federally delegated authority, and; therefore, outside the protection of any federal immunity from prosecution and therefore guilty of the crime of Malicious Deprivation of Constitutional Rights and shall be subject to both civil and criminal punishment under the Laaws of the State. The violation of this Law shall be punishable and a Felony carrying a fine of to $500,000 dollars and 5 years in prison for each separate offense.
Property Rights Resolution #20 2021
Whereas: The 30X30 America the Beautiful land preservation is a land grab by the Federal Government and is unconstitutional,
Therefore be it resolved: ICOW opposes the 30X30 program.
Checkoff Resolution #1 2007
WHEREAS: the checkoff dollars collected in Wyoming come directly from Wyoming producers;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: ICOW seek approval as a qualified organization, nominate from within its membership and actively promote those nominees for appointments to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB);
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that ICOW work diligently to obtain seats on the Wyoming Beef Council by providing candidates for appointment;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that Wyoming producers be given the opportunity to vote on the checkoff referendum every five years.
Checkoff Resolution #2 2007
WHEREAS: the current mandatory beef checkoff does not have accountability to the cattle producers (who pay for it), by allowing periodic referendums or individual op-outs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW opposes the mandatory beef checkoff in its present form.
Checkoff Resolution #3 2010
WHEREAS: ICOW is an organization with the vision of uniting cattle producers within the state of Wyoming;
WHEREAS: this vision would include a majority agreement among Wyoming cattle producers;
WHEREAS: ICOW nor any other organization represents the majority of Wyoming cattle producers;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW calls for a referendum vote of Wyoming cattle producers in regard to continuation and/or amendments or changes to the checkoff.
Checkoff Resolution #4 2010
WHERE AS: the current mandatory beef checkoff does not have accountability to the cattle producers (who pay for it), by allowing periodic referendums or individual op-outs;
WHERE AS: the Wyoming Beef Council sends 15 cents to 18 cents more to the National Federation than the 50 cent requirement of each dollar;
WHERE AS: Wyoming producers in the current unstable economy do not want another open ended checkoff tax;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW opposes that any additional mandatory checkoff dollars be assessed on Wyoming producers by the state of Wyoming or any other entity.
Checkoff Resolution #5 2010
WHEREAS: the $2.5 billion dollar gap between domestic production and consumption is filled with imported cattle; and
WHEREAS: an average of 12,000 domestic cattle producers have been lost annually since the mid 1990’s; and
WHEREAS: the Check-Off Dollars also known as Beef Council Fees do not benefit domestic cattle producers exclusively; and
WHEREAS: this is an un-constitutional tax which transfers wealth from the producer to supermarkets and multi-national meat packers and imported beef;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED: that the Check-off dollars also known as Beef Council Fees be made voluntary or abolished in Wyoming.
Checkoff Resolution #6 2012
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that ICOW requests that the Wyoming Beef Council cease and desist the collection of Beef Checkoff funds from cattle producers until such time that no policy organization contracts to receive any Beef Checkoff funding.
Checkoff resolution #7 2014
WHEREAS: it appears beef check-off funding is not used as it was written by law; and
WHEREAS: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is considering another beef check-off program;
THEREFORE: be it resolvedthat ICOW supports working with Legislatures to abolish the current check-off program “due to legal issues”. If a new check-off program is to be created, ICOW is in favor of a voluntary program.
Separation from NCBA 2007
WHEREAS: the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) continues to work for the interests of the major beef packers and retailers over the best interests of U.S. cattle producers;
WHEREAS: ICOW recognizes that one group cannot adequately represent the entire U.S. beef industry;
WHEREAS: the NCBA continues to promote itself as the organization that represents the entire beef industry of the U.S.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: ICOW wishes to clarify in official policy that NCBA does not represent the views of our membership, and that NCBA does not speak for the Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming.
Constitutional Rights # 1 2009
ICOW will support classes on the U.S. Constitution in Wyoming.
Constitutional Rights #2 2009, 2011
WHEREAS: Wyoming was admitted to the Union on July 10, 1890, therefore receiving EQUAL STATUS with all the other sovereign states of the union, Wyoming is a sovereign state; in accordance with existing Wyoming statutes 36-10-101 through Wyoming Statute 36-12-109. U.S. Supreme Court rulings: McIllvaine vs. Cox ‘s 8U.S. 279 (1804)Lessee affirming that the individual states are sovereign. Cohens vs. v Virginia 6 Wheat. 264,5 L.Ed 257(1821) affirming the powers of Congress over the states are only those specifically given to it. ( Constitution Art III)
Ellis v United States, 206 U.S.246;27S.Ct.(1907) & Foley Bros v Filardo,336U.S.281; 69S.Ct.575(1949). In these cases the Supreme Court stated that “Legislation of Congress, is meant to apply only within territorial jurisdiction of the United States. Specifically Territories and the ten (10) square mile s of the District of Columbia.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: Endangered Species Act will be enforced only on land affirmed by the General accounting office to be titled to the United States Government within the boundaries of Wyoming (Art I Sec 8 of the US Constitution), and also;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; That any governing official taking the oath of office, shall be held accountable to Wyoming citizens and businesses for any losses incurred while implementing federal mandates.
University of Wyoming Resolution # 1 2017
WHEREAS: the Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming is incorporated to protect and promote the family farm and ranch.
WHEREAS: the average age of the Rancher/Farmer in the United States is 58 yrs.
WHEREAS: over 50% of the freshmen enrolled in the College of Agriculture at the University of Wyoming are from urban backgrounds.
WHEREAS: the University of Wyoming has not developed a curriculum for ranch management.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the University of Wyoming develop a curriculum to train ranch managers,
AND ALSO BE IT RESOLVED: that the University of Wyoming trustees and foundation see a proper facility.
ICOW Treasury Resolution #1 2012
Therefore be it resolved: the ICOW board of directors must approve any purchases over $500.00 prior to the transaction.
General Resolution # 1 2013
WHEREAS: government spending is ever increasing and seemingly wasteful, and
WHEREAS: Government has garnered votes for fuel tax increases by giving some of the increase in taxes to many government entities (e.g. fuel tax increase to fix state highways is sending forty percent (40%) to city and county governments);
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) opposes tax increases by burdensome government programs and departments.
General Resolution #2 2013
WHEREAS: government entities unlawfully take power away from officials elected by the people;
THEREFORE BE ITRESOLVED: The Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) will stand up to defend the rights of people to keep their constitutionally elected government officials.
General Resolution #3 2014
BE IT RESOLVED: Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming opposes federal agencies obtaining funds or other benefits from non-governmental organizations (NGO’s).
General Directive # 1 2013
Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming (ICOW) will support local control of education and will oppose Common Core Standards and all other legislation to federalize our education system.
General Directive #2 2018
ICOW Board of Directors prepare a letter for the ICOW membership to send to our State and Federal legislative representatives and Wyoming governor which outlines ICOW’s 2020 priorities.
General Directive #3 2019
ICOW Board of Directors will support R-CALF USA in their lawsuit on the mandatory RFID tags.
General Directive # 4 2019
ICOW resolves to allow Directors to make decisions regarding R-CALF USA issues as they arise throughout the year.