TSCRA News Update, June 19, 2006

News Desk

TSCRA News Update VOL. 27 • NO. 11 • JUNE 19, 2006

TSCRA leaders meet with Mexico’s ag secretary
Save $500 on new GM vehicles
APHIS withdraws fever tick rule
Death tax repeal killed in Senate
Hay supplies still needed
Southeastern cattle producers prepare for hurricanes
Beef Cattle Short Course scheduled for Aug. 7-9
Estate planning seminar for ranchers
Public hearings on Trans-Texas Corridor set for July 10- Aug. 10
TSCRA testifies on 2007 Farm Bill
Producers can comment on Farm Bill online
Calendar

TSCRA leaders meet with Mexico’s ag secretary
      Leaders of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers met June 2 with Franciso Javier Mayorga-Castaneda, secretary of agriculture for Mexico, to discuss beef industry issues that involve our southern neighbor.
      Mayorga’s visit to the Fort Worth area was hosted by TSCRA and the Texas Christian University Ranch Management Program. Participating in the discussions were TSCRA Executive Vice President Matt Brockman and David Winters, vice chair of TSCRA’s Animal Health Committee, who ranches near Del Rio on the Mexican border.
      Foremost among TSCRA’s concerns was reinstating exports of U.S. beef cattle seedstock to Mexico. The border was closed in 2004 after the December 2003 discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Washington State.
      “The United States has proven unequivocally that BSE is not a threat to our cattle herd,” said Brockman. “We have tested over 700,000 cattle with only two positive results.”
      TSCRA urged the secretary to work with USDA to allow imports of beef cattle under the same protocol that is currently being developed for the export of dairy heifers to Mexico.
      “Purebred seedstock trade between Mexico and Texas has existed for decades, resulting in mutual benefits for ranchers on both sides of the border,” Winters emphasized.
      From Jan. 1, 1999, to December 2003, the United States exported 598,501 head of live cattle to Mexico, valued at $553.4 million.
      TSCRA also urged Secretary Mayorga to continue efforts to eradicate TB in Mexico in order to avoid the imposition of more stringent entry requirements for Mexican cattle.
      Currently, Mexico ships 10,000 head of feeder cattle a month to the United States.
      TSCRA pointed out that tests from TB-infected cattle in four U.S. states show the genetic fingerprint is very similar to that found in Mexican-origin feeder cattle that had been imported.
      Texas, Minnesota, Michigan and New Mexico have lost their TB-free status from USDA. Texas has implemented extremely costly procedures to regain TB-free status. USDA is currently reviewing the state’s application.
      TSCRA leaders emphasized the mutual benefit of trade between Mexico and the United States, and Texas in particular.
      “Much of the success of this of this two-way trade has been because of the close cooperation between the governments and livestock industries of the two countries,” Brockman said.

Save $500 on new GM vehicles
      Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is partnering with General Motors to provide another dollars-in-your-pocket benefit for members.
      “We are proud to announce that your TSCRA membership card can san save you $500 off the purchase or lease of most GM vehicles*,” said President C.R. “Dick” Sherron.
      Through Jan. 3, 2007, TSCRA members can apply this private offer toward any of 75 models of GM cars, trucks, vans and SUVs.
      What’s more, the offer can be combined with most current incentives.**
      Details are available at gmfleet.com/tscra .
      “GM has the largest dealer network,” adds Sherron. “That will make it easier for our members to shop for the vehicle they want and to have it serviced.”
      GM also has an edge in fuel economy, with the most models that get over EPA estimated 30 MPG highway.
      “GM can help everyone get a handle on fuel economy,” Sherron continues. “The GM Web site has a valuable tool to help you calculate your annual fuel costs.”
      Your actual gas mileage depends on many variables, like driving behavior and speed, the load you’re carrying and even the direction of the wind.
      The GM Fuel Economy and CO₂ Calculator (www.gm.com/automotive/
fuel_economy/ ) will help you get a better idea of how these factors work. Customize the calculator with your driving habits and the price you pay for fuel, and it will calculate your annual fuel costs.
      “It’s time to put the wheels in motion,” Sherron emphasizes. “Contact your local dealer to take advantage of this private offer for TSCRA members to save on new vehicles and visit the GM Web site to learn how to save on fuel.”
        *Excludes Cadillac XLR, XLR-V, SLR, SLR-V and STS-V; Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and SSR; HUMMER H1 Alpha, Saturn SKY, Pontiac Solstice and medium-duty trucks. Customers must take delivery between June 6, 2006 and Jan. 3, 2007.
        **Incentives are subject to change. This offer is not available with other private offers.

APHIS withdraws fever tick rule
      The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is rethinking a proposed rule to remove limitations on imports of cattle from Mexico that may have been infested on exposed to fever ticks.
      The rule, printed in the Federal Register on Nov. 9, 2005, also proposed amending regulations that prohibit the movement of such cattle into areas of Texas quarantined because of fever ticks.
      TSCRA strongly opposed the proposal in a letter to Dr. John R. Clifford, deputy administrator, Veterinary Services, APHIS.
      “TSCRA believes allowing such cattle into the quarantine zone poses tremendous risks to the Texas cattle industry.
      “In recent years, the effort to contain the presence of fever ticks in the zone has been difficult as 117 premises in and out of the zone were identified in 2005. This reflects a significant increase from 30 premises identified in 1994.
      “With the presence of fever ticks increasing in South Texas, we believe it’s very ill-advised to propose allowing Mexican cattle into the quarantine zone.”
      In a May 18 letter, Dr. Clifford responded to TSCRA, saying APHIS had “determined that in order to effectively address the comments received on the proposed rule, a risk assessment must be conducted.”

News Glance
■ Death tax repeal killed in Senate. The U.S. Senate failed to get the necessary 60 votes needed to invoke cloture (a procedure by which debate is ended and an immediate vote is taken) on H.B. 8, the Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005. The 57-41 vote June 8 puts and end to discussion of repeal in this session of Congress. “These 41 Senators basically voted to keep a cap on prosperity in the cattle business,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Mike Johns. Unless the repeal is made permanent, the tax will revert back to a $1 million exemption at a 55 percent rate in 2011. “At these levels, almost every rural operation in America will be directly hit.” Johns said the vote “will go down in history as the day 41 Senators slammed the door in the faces of America’s next generation of farmers and ranchers.” ―National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

■ Hay supplies still needed. Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs reminds hay producers that the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Hay and Grazing Hotline is receiving calls daily from livestock producers who need hay. Suppliers and buyers can call the toll-free line at (877) 429-1998 or access the list on TDA’s Web site at www.agr.state.tx.us . The hotline is a free service to help livestock producers locate hay for sale and pastures for lease in Texas and out of state. The lists are updated daily. There are also lists of organic hay suppliers, hay transporters, livestock transporters, the weekly Texas Hay Market Report and links to other hay sites and out-of-state hay directories. These lists can be faxed or mailed upon request. The Texas Agriculture Statistics Service reported than an estimated 4.7 million acres will be harvested for hay this year, down 7 percent from last year. If you have pasture for lease, hay for sale or certified organic feed grains or other forages and would like to be included on the hotline, call (877) 429-1998, fax (800) 828-7491 or e-mail melissa.blair@agr.state.tx.us . ―Texas Department of Agriculture

■ Southeastern cattle producers prepare for hurricanes. Regional affiliates of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee are coordinating contact lists, transportation routes and other measures that will mobilize relief efforts more quickly in the event of a major disaster. “Our cattlemen can’t say enough about the assistance we received last year from NCBA, other state cattle organizations and cattle producers all over the nation,” said Sammy Blossom, executive vice president of the Mississippi Cattlemen’s Association. “But we can do an even better job of delivering these supplies and services in a more timely fashion. A few days can make all the difference in the world for a family that gets caught in this kind of situation.” Blossom said the group’s priorities include designating staging areas for relief supplies and developing a network of available pasture for cattle that need to be relocated―either in preparation for a storm or its aftermath. ―National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

■ The Beef Cattle Short Course, set for Aug. 7-9, will include sessions that address drought and increasing expenses. The 52nd annual course will be held Texas A&M’s University Center and Rudder Tower in College Station. One of this year’s new sessions will focus on reducing winter feeding costs. Industry experts also will discuss drought management strategies and rising energy costs during the general session. The Cattleman’s College will return with concurrent sessions on basic ranch management, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, pastures, carcass evaluation and record keeping. The animal handling programs will feature demonstrations on chute-side calf working, cattle behavior, penning, sorting and selection. Participants will be able to obtain a pesticide applicator’s license or add continuing education units if already licensed. More than 100 agricultural businesses or services will be featured in this year’s trade show. Registration is $120 per person and includes educational materials, a copy of the proceedings, trade show admittance, and tickets to the prime rib dinner and five additional meals. Producers may register online at http://animalscience.tamu.edu or by calling (979) 845-6931. ―TAMU AgNews

■ An estate planning seminar for ranchers will be held Aug. 9-10 at the College Station Conference Center. The first day’s agenda will cover basic devices such as wills, living trusts, estate tax deferral and gifts. The second day’s agenda will focus on estate taxes, how to keep the ranch running well, corporations and partnerships, special use land valuation and life insurance in estate planning. The seminar will run from 1 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 9, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 10. The $100-per-person registration fee covers all materials, refreshments and lunch on Aug. 10. For more information or to register, contact Sharon Wehring at (979) 845-2226 or by e-mail at s-wehring@tamu.edu . ―TAMU AgNews

■ Chevron has formed a biofuels business unit to advance technology and pursue commercial opportunities related to the production and distribution of ethanol and biodiesel in the United States. Chevron made the announcement May 31 in Galveston, Texas, at the groundbreaking ceremony for one of the first large-scale biodiesel plants in the United States. Chevron has invested in Galveston Bay Biodiesel, the Houston-based company that is constructing the facility. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2006, the plant will have the potential to produce 100 million gallons of the clean-burning, renewable fuel. GBB will produce biodiesel from soybeans and other renewable feed stocks and is expected to have initial production of 20 million gallons per year. GBB has the option to sell pure biodiesel or biodiesel blended with off-road or on-road diesel into marine, commercial, trucking and industrial markets in the Galveston and Houston metropolitan areas. Chevron currently blends about 300 million gallons of ethanol per year for use in gasoline blends. ―Chevron Corp.

Public hearings on Trans-Texas Corridor set for July 10- Aug. 10
      The Texas Department of Transportation will hold 54 public hearings July 10-Aug. 10 throughout the Trans-Texas Corridor-35 study area to answer questions and listen to public comments.
      “Decisions will be made based on those comments, so it’s important that people participate in the process,” said Tim Brown, chairman of the Trans-Texas Corridor Advisory Committee.
      Presentations at the hearings will focus on the preferred corridor alternative from Gainesville to Laredo and why it best meets the state’s long-term goal of relieving congestion and improving safety on I-35.
      Other corridor alternatives that were evaluated will also be presented for public comment.
      Each hearing will begin with an open house at 5 p.m. so that residents can review maps of the preferred corridor alternative and ask questions of TxDOT staff. The presentation and oral comments begin at 6:30 pm.
      After the public hearings, staff will analyze the comments and submit a final environmental impact statement to the Federal Highway Administration. A decision from FHWA is expected next summer.
      FHWA approval would allow the environmental process to continue with additional environmental studies focusing on the narrowed 10-mile wide study area.
      It is within this study area that a final project route would be determined for roads, rail and utilities. Construction could only begin after the additional studies are completed.
      For more information, call Gabriela Garcia (512) 475-2134.
TTC Public Hearing Schedule
      July 10―Ennis, Knights of Columbus Hall, 850 S. Interstate 45.
      July 10―Gainesville, Gainesville Civic Center, 311 S. Weaver St.
      July 10 ―Sherman, Sherman Municipal Ballroom, 405 N. Rusk St.
      July 11―Bonham, Bonham High School Cafeteria, 1002 Warpath Dr.
      July 11―Decatur, Decatur Civic Center, 2010 W. US 380.
      July 11―Denton, UNT Gateway Center. Ballroom, 801 N. Texas Blvd.
      July 12―Cleburne, Cleburne Civic Center, 1501 W. Henderson St.
      July 12―Paris, Love Civic Center, 2025 S. Collegiate Dr.
      July 12―Waxahachie, Civic Center Ballroom, 2000 Civic Center Lane.
      July 13―Hillsboro, Hill College Performing Arts Center Auditorium, 112 Lamar Dr.
      July 13―McKinney, McKinney High School Cafeteria, 1400 Wilson Creek Pkwy.
      July 13―Weatherford, Weatherford College Marjorie Black Alkek Fine Arts Center, 225 College Park Dr.
      July 17―Fort Worth, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Exhibits Hall, Round Up Inn, 3400 Burnett-Tandy Dr.
      July 17―Greenville, Fletcher Warren Civic Center, 5501 S. Bus. Hwy. 69.
      July 17―McGregor, McGregor High School Auditorium, 903 Bluebonnet Pkwy.
      July 18―Cameron, Cameron ISD Performing Arts Center, 303 E. 12th St.
      July 18―Granbury, GISD Pearl Street Conference Center, 205 E. Pearl St.
      July 18―Mesquite, Poteet High School Auditorium, 3300 Poteet Dr.
      July 19―Clifton, Clifton High School Cafeteria, 1101 N. Avenue Q.
      July 19―Hearne, Hearne Junior High School Auditorium, 401 Wheelock St.
      July 19―Terrell, Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center, 400 Poetry Rd.
      July 20―Caldwell, Caldwell High School Auditorium, 550 County Road 307.
      July 20―Corsicana, Drane Intermediate School Auditorium, 100 S. 18th St.
      July 20―Groesbeck, Groesbeck High School Auditorium, 1202 N. Ellis St.
      July 24―Georgetown, Georgetown High School Klett Center for the
Performing Arts, 2211 N. Austin Ave.
      July 24―Waco, Waco Convention Center, Brazos Room, 100 Washington Ave.
      July 25―Marlin, Marlin High School Auditorium, 1400 Capps.
      July 25―Taylor, Taylor High School Auditorium, 3101 N. Main St.
      July 26―Giddings, Sons of Hermann Hall, 1031 County Road 223.
      July 26―Temple, Frank W. Mayborn Civic & Convention Center,
            Main Hall 3303 N. 3rd St.
      July 27― Dallas, Grauwyler Community Center, 7780 Harry Hines Blvd.
      July 27―Rockdale, Knights of Columbus Hall, 655 Hwy. 79 E.
      July 31―Beeville, Beeville Community Center, 111 E. Corpus Christi St.
      July 31―Flatonia, Flatonia ISD Cafetorium, 400 E. 4th St.
      July 31―Lockhart, Lockhart High School Cafetorium, No. 1 Lion Country Dr.
      Aug. 1―Gonzales, Gonzales High School Cafeteria, 1801 Sarah DeWitt Dr.
      Aug. 1―Kingsville, King Ranch Museum, 405 N. 6th St.
      Aug. 1―Manor, Manor High School Cafeteria, 12700 Gregg Manor Rd.
      Aug. 2―Bastrop, Bastrop Middle School Cafeteria, 709 Old Austin Hwy.
      Aug. 2―Calallen, Calallen High School Cafeteria, 4001 Wildcat Dr.
      Aug. 2―Pleasanton, Pleasanton High School Cafeteria, 1100 W. Adams St.
      Aug. 3―Floresville, Floresville High School Gymnasium, 1832 Hwy. 97 E.
      Aug. 3―Smithville, Smithville High School Cafeteria, 285 Hwy. 95.
      Aug. 7―Falfurrias, Sacred Heart Parish Hall, 201 W. Blucher.
      Aug. 7―Laredo, TAMIU Events Center, Western Hemispheric Trade Center, Room 111, 5201 University Blvd.
      Aug. 7―Pearsall, Pearsall High School Cafeteria, 1990 Maverick Dr.
      Aug. 8―Alice, Knights of Columbus Hall, 1050 Cecilia St.
      Aug. 8―McAllen, McAllen Convention Center, 1300 S. 10th St.
      Aug. 8―San Antonio, East Central High School Cafetorium, 7173 FM 1628.
      Aug. 9―George West, George West High School Cafetorium, 913 Houston St.
      Aug. 9―Harlingen, Casa de Amistad, 1204 Fair Park Blvd.
      Aug. 9―Seguin, Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum, 810 S. Guadalupe St.
      Aug. 10―Brownsville, City of Brownsville Events Center, 1 Event Center Blvd.
      Aug. 10―Yorktown, Yorktown Community Mess Hall, 60 Community Hall Rd.

TSCRA testifies on 2007 Farm Bill
      Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association provided perspective on agriculture policy and programs needed by the cattle industry at a 2007 Farm Bill hearing May 9 in San Angelo, Texas.
      In preparation for reauthorizing the 2002 Farm Bill, which expires in September 2007, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee is conducting about a dozen field hearings throughout the country to gather feedback from producers and review current farm policy.
      Dale Smith, a cow-calf producer, stocker cattle operator and cattle feeder from Amarillo, represented TSCRA at the hearing.
      He told the committee that the cattle industry supports agricultural policy that:
      · Minimizes direct federal involvement;
      · Preserves the right of individual choice in the management of land, water and resources;
      · Provides an opportunity to compete in foreign markets; and
      · Does not favor one producer or commodity over another.
      TSCRA specifically addressed the Environment Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), asserting that, “Arbitrarily setting numerical caps that render some producers ineligible limits the success of the program. All producers should be afforded equal access to cost share dollars under programs such as EQIP.”
      TSCRA also said conservation and environmental programs must be sufficiently supported to ensure participation. Resources must be allocated to maintain adequate National Resource Conservation Service personnel at the local level to provide technical assistance.
      TSCRA also affirmed support for renewable fuel supplies, but insisted that. “Government incentives to expand ethanol and other alternative fuel supplies should not function to the detriment of livestock producers.”

Producers can comment on Farm Bill online
      Producers can provide Farm Bill feedback online via a Web-based form on the House Committee on Agriculture Web site.
      “Farm bill policy directly impacts the lives of America’s farmers and ranchers; therefore, if we really want to know how farm policy works in practice, it makes sense to hear directly from our producers,” said Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte.
      “We’ve had the opportunity to hear from a wide variety of producers through our field hearings. This information is helpful to the Committee as we prepare to consider the farm bill reauthorization next year.”
      More than 200 local producers attended the May 9 field hearing in San Angelo, Texas.
      “We also understand that there are many other producers that we haven’t heard from,” said Goodlatte. “By having a Web-based feedback form, producers everywhere will have the opportunity to provide the Committee with their thoughts and input about future farm policy.”
      The form can be accessed at www.agriculture.house.gov ; click on the Farm Bill Feedback icon.
      Chairman Goodlatte expects to begin the Farm Bill debate in early 2007.

Calendar
July 10-13―National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Summer Conference, Reno, Nev. (303) 694-0305.
July 17-20―Beef 706 hands-on beef training seminar, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, Texas.
      (512) 355-2333.
Aug. 7-9―Texas A&M University Beef Cattle Short Course, College Station, Texas. (979) 845-6931.
Aug. 9-10―Ranch estate planning seminar, Conference Center, College Station, Texas. (979) 845-2226.
Sept. 14-24―State Fair of Oklahoma, Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Sept. 18-22―Beef 706 hands-on beef training seminar, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.
      (512) 355-2333.
Sept. 28-Oct. 8―Tulsa State Fair, Tulsa, Okla.
Sept. 29-Oct. 22―State Fair of Texas, Fair Park, Dallas, Texas.
Oct. 11-13―TSCRA Fall Meeting and Texas Cattle Feeders Association Annual Convention, Amarillo
      Civic Center, Amarillo, Texas. 1 (800) 242-7820.