Beef History Lesson: Why The U.S. Beef Industry Once Sued Oprah Winfrey

It’s the Ranch It Up Radio Show Herd It Here Weekly Report!  A 3-minute look at cattle markets, reports, news info, or anything that has to do with those of us who live at the end of dirt roads.  Join Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt, the Boss Lady Rebecca Wanner aka 'BEC' by subscribing on your favorite podcasting app or on the Ranch It Up Radio Show YouTube Channel. Legal Battle Involving Agriculture, Free Speech, and The U.S. Beef Industry One of the most talked-about moments in beef industry history happened nearly 30 years ago, when television icon Oprah Winfrey found herself in a Texas courtroom. In April of 1996, during an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, guest Howard Lyman raised concerns about mad cow disease, or BSE, and the possibility it could spread in the United States. After hearing the discussion, Oprah famously said it had "stopped me cold from eating another burger." At the time, fears surrounding mad cow disease were growing around the world, even though the disease had not been found in U.S. cattle. The comments drew sharp criticism from cattle producers, especially in Texas, the nation's largest beef-producing state. In 1997, a group of Texas cattlemen sued Oprah and Lyman for more than $10 million under the state's food disparagement law, arguing the broadcast unfairly damaged consumer confidence and contributed to declining cattle prices. The case went to trial in Amarillo in 1998. After six weeks of testimony, the jury ruled in favor of Oprah and Lyman, finding they had not violated the law or defamed the beef industry. A later appeal was also unsuccessful, bringing the case to a close. Today, the lawsuit remains one of the best-known legal battles involving agriculture, free speech, and the U.S. beef industry. REFERENCE: https://www.tastingtable.com/2206356/us-beef-oprah-lawsuit-explained/ Upcoming Feeder Cattle, Bull & Cow Sales On RanchChannel.Com Lots of feeder cattle, steers & heifers, bulls, and cow sales coming up on the RanchChannel.Com sale calendar.  Check out the full line up HERE. SPONSORS Jorgensen Land & Cattle https://jorgensenfarms.com/ @JorLandCat Ranch Channel https://ranchchannel.com/ @RanchChannel Questions & Concerns From The Field? Call or Text your questions, or comments to 707-RANCH20 or 707-726-2420 Or email [email protected] FOLLOW Facebook/Instagram: @RanchItUpShow SUBSCRIBE to the Ranch It Up YouTube Channel: @ranchitup Website: RanchItUpShow.com https://ranchitupshow.com/ The Ranch It Up Podcast is available on ALL podcasting apps. https://ranchitup.podbean.com/ Rural America is center-stage on this outfit. AND how is that? Because of Tigger & BEC... Live This Western Lifestyle. Tigger & BEC represent the Working Ranch world by providing the cowboys, cowgirls, beef cattle producers & successful farmers the knowledge and education needed to bring high-quality beef & meat to your table for dinner. Learn more about Jeff 'Tigger' Erhardt & Rebecca Wanner aka BEC here: TiggerandBEC.com https://tiggerandbec.com/