FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cattle Raisers, WRCA raise $10,000 for fire victims

FORT WORTH, Texas, May 9, 2006―More than $10,000 was raised to help Texas wildfire victims at a May 7 benefit hosted by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Working Ranch Cowboys Association.

      All funds raised during the Pampa, Texas, event will be contributed to the Cattlemen's Disaster Relief Fund, bringing the total to more than a quarter of a million dollars. The fund was established in March by TSCRA, Texas Cattle Feeders Association and the Livestock Marketing Association of Texas to help cattle producers affected by fires and similar disasters in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

      Since Dec. 26, 11,048 wildfires have burned 4,903,851 acres in Texas, killing 11 people and destroying 423 homes and 25,000 miles of fence.

      The worst fires were in the Panhandle area where 2,000 people in seven counties were evacuated. Dr. Brad Williams, area director for the Texas Animal Health Commission, estimates that 10,000 animals died.

      "Neighbors helping neighbors is a time-honored tradition among ranch folk," says TSCRA President Dick Sherron. "A lot of people opened their hearts and pocketbooks to make this event a success."

      Entertainment was provided by Western music trio Palo Duro, cowboy humorist Curt Brummett, and Paul and Susie Luchsinger. Donations were collected during a brisket supper sponsored by Barnhardt Capital Management, Inc.

      Silent auction donors, included Alan Eubanks of Panhandle Plains Bank in Pampa, Walco of Amarillo, Western Leather Craft of Amarillo (Ross Family), WW Rodeo & Livestock Equipment Co. (Scot Quick), Ranch Hand Equipment Co. & Shamrock Accessories of Lubbock, John Ericson, WRCA, Jeff Wade, Texas Vet Lab, Inc., Billy Klapper, Holiday Inn of Amarillo, Ambassador of Amarillo, Rebecca and Chad Davis, Cavender's Boot City of Amarillo, Gebo's of Pampa, Waynes Western Wear of Pampa, Texas Trio, Earl Kuhn, Jason Pelham, Jones & McMordie Ranch, Oliver Saddle Shop, Budweiser of Amarillo, Montana Halter/Carter Crohn, and Utility Oil Products of Pampa.

      The Working Ranch Cowboys Association, based in Amarillo, was founded in 1995 to "provide financial and other assistance to working ranch cowboys and their families who are suffering significant hardships and who are not otherwise able to provide for their needs."

      Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 129-year-old trade organization whose 13,700 members manage approximately 5.4 million cattle on 70.3 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma.

TSCRA-13-2006