Cattle Raisers convention set for March 23-26

FORT WORTH, Texas, Feb. 26, 2007—Cattlemen will gather in Cowtown March 23-26 for Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s 130th annual convention and 32nd annual trade show.
      “We’ve changed to a Friday through Monday schedule to make it easier for more ranchers to attend,” says TSCRA President C. R. “Dick” Sherron.
      “General sessions, committee meetings, the 250-plus exhibit trade show, entertainment events, and the School for Successful Ranching are open to any who wants to register,” he adds. “You don’t have to be a TSCRA member to attend.”
      Most activities will be held in the convention center in downtown Fort Worth, convenient to hotels, shopping and restaurants.
      “Producers who want to be informed and provide input on the issues confronting our industry should make it a point to attend,” Sherron emphasized. “Decisions made during this convention will shape association policy and the appeals we make to government and regulatory officials.”
      Food safety, border issues, immigration, the new Farm Bill, livestock and meat marketing, the shortage of food animal veterinarians, the Trans-Texas Corridor and the impact of ethanol are just a few of the important industry issues that will be examined.

Speakers
     Keynote speaker will be Edward E. Whitacre Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of AT&T. A native of Ennis, Texas, and a graduate of Texas Tech University, Whitacre has been named one of the best CEOs in America.
      Major topics and speakers include:
      ● Border issues and the status of immigration, U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
      ●  The new Farm Bill, U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, chairman of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, invited.
      ●  The shortage of food animal veterinarians; what Texas A&M’s Veterinary School is doing about the problem; and how TSCRA can help, William Moyer, DVM, professor and head, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science, Texas A&M University.
      ●  Panel discussion on the Trans-Texas Corridor, with Jack Hunt, CEO of King Ranch; Phil Wilson, governor’s deputy chief of staff; and Kris Heckman, governor’s director of transportation, budget, planning and policy
      ●  Food safety, review and update, Dr. Dan Hale, Texas A&M University.
      ●  The 2007 Texas legislative session, Texas Rep. Charlie Geren.
      ●  Texas agriculture, the perspective of Todd Staples, Texas’ new commissioner of agriculture.
      ●  Political forum, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, invited.
      ●  Bio-energy, Dr. Elsa Murano, vice chancellor and dean, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University.
      ●  “Ethanol and Its Potential Impact on the Industry,” Bill Holbrook, ProExporter Network, invited.
      ●  Report on the “Livestock and Meat Marketing Study,” James E. Link, administrator, USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.
      ●  Overview of the beef industry, John M. Queen, president, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
      ●  Cattle market update, Randy Blach, executive vice president, Cattle-Fax.
      ●  The importance of branding, Carl Mullins, Cowboy Publishing Group, invited.
      ●  Quail management, Dr. Fidel Hernandez, TAMU Kingsville.
      ●  Report on activities of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Joseph Fitzsimons, chairman.

Silent auction and trade show
      The general public is also welcome to browse TSCRA’s trade show and bid on a bargain at the silent auction. Items up for bid include exclusive hunting and fishing trips, jewelry and farm and ranch products.
      Auction hours are from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 23; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 24; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 25. Bids close promptly at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Proceeds from the auction are used to provide training and equipment for TSCRA’s law enforcement division.
      TSCRA’s trade show is packed with exhibits featuring the latest in equipment and management tools, clothing, jewelry and art. It is open to the general public with purchase of a $5 day badge. Hours are from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 23; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 24; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 25.
      There’s much more on the schedule:
      ●  School for Successful Ranching – Learn how to run your ranch like a business from instructors with the Noble Foundation and Texas Christian University’s Ranch Management Program
      ●  Free legal seminar – Attorneys from Jackson Walker, LLP, will provide a valuable learning opportunity on laws that affect rural landowners and agriculture operations.
      ●  Cowboy Church – Message by Russ Weaver, pastor of Shepherd’s Valley Cowboy Church, Egan, Texas; music by Susie Luchsinger, award-winning Christian country performer.
      ●  TSCRA new member reception.
      ●  Special-interest meetings for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, Purebred Cattle Alliance, Texas CattleWomen and Texas Tech alumni.

Entertainment
      Entertainment events on Friday will include a trade show reception with food and entertainment and the Young People’s Party at the Bent Lounge downtown.
      The TSCR Foundation Gala Friday evening will feature dinner and a roast of Bob Watt, TSCRA honorary vice president and general manager of the Fort Worth Stock Show. Gov. Dolph Briscoe will be the guest speaker. Activities benefit the Cattle Raisers Museum and educational efforts of the foundation.
      On Saturday, there will be another trade show reception with food and entertainment, a cooking class on desserts at Central Market and the TSCRA PAC dinner with catering by Perini Ranch. A live auction will benefit PAC activities.
      Perini Ranch will also cater the Keynote Luncheon on Sunday. There will be a trade show reception Sunday afternoon and the popular Cattleman’s Western Dinner-Dance Sunday evening at the historic Ashton Depot. Steve Stewart and The New Spirit of the West will provide the entertainment.

Register online
      A detailed agenda and registration information for convention and hotels are posted TSCRA’s Web page at www.texascattleraisers.org . Click on “Events” in the left-hand menu.

       Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 130-year-old trade organization whose 14,400 members manage approximately 4.9 million cattle on 66.6 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma.

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