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Be an Informed Cattle Raiser Timely topics and tough issues will be addressed during the breakout sessions at the 2010 TSCRA Convention Weekend. Breakout sessions are hosted by TSCRA's standing committees and are open to those registered for the convention. Saturday, March 20 Everyone is encouraged to attend this session designed to give the TSCRA member a deeper understanding of the valuable services the association provides to the ranchers and land managers of Texas and Oklahoma. Discover how to grow the TSCRA membership by promoting the unique work TSCRA does in law enforcement, lobbying and education. Hear reports on membership recruitment success techniques from TSCRA's Regional Association Promotion (RAP) leaders. 2:00 p.m. How Will We Pay for Federal Spending?, hosted by the Legislative and Tax Committee With the federal government spending at a record pace, it is certain that the discussion of taxes will be next. With many possible changes on the horizon, it will be important for cattle raisers to have the latest information on this important topic. Come get a legislative update on this and much more. This breakout session will feature a variety of legislative issues facing ranchers. Fighting Back Against Animal Diseases, hosted by the Animal Health Committee For a century, TSCRA members have held the line against animal diseases in the U.S., saving American beef producers millions of dollars in livestock losses. Hear Texas State Veterinarian Dr. Dee Ellis discuss how private ranchers and the state animal health agency will cooperate to continue to fight against fever ticks, brucellosis and cattle tuberculosis. Health Care Reform at the Ranch, hosted by the Labor Committee Phyllis Brasher, assistant general counsel with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, will lead a discussion on the thorny issue of providing more Americans wider access to health care. Many citizens wish for improvements without breaking the bank. In March, we'll look at the facts we know about the attempt by Congress and reform health care, and interpret what it means for the ranching community. 3:30 p.m. It's Your Land, Until Someone Else Wants It, hosted by the Legislative and Tax Committee Texans voted on an amendment to the state constitution in November to limit the government's eminent domain authority. This is just the first step in a continuing battle to push for even stronger laws. Come hear about the latest eminent domain issues and how those laws can be reformed during the 2011 state legislative session. Animal Welfare, hosted by the Animal Health Committee How do legislators, lawyers and the media view animal welfare? TSCRA's Animal Health Committee is inviting representatives of these three groups to explain how animal welfare issues and ranching are viewed by their constituents, clients and listeners. The Future of Futures Markets, hosted by the Marketing Committee New Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations have been proposed by the federal government that may limit the effectiveness of futures markets as a risk management tool. Many risk managers are concerned about position limits and how to ensure continued liquidity in futures markets. Come learn what changes are being discussed and what effect they could have on commodity markets and prices. Agriculture's Effect on Water Quality, hosted by the Agricultural Research Committee Richard Haney with USDA's Agricultural Research Service will discuss the findings of research project designed to measure the nitrogen and phosphorous loads and concentration on agricultural and forest land and how the watershed is affected. The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board supported this study to understand and mitigate agricultural impacts on water quality. Sunday, March 21 8:30 a.m. Water for Our Neighbors and Ourselves, hosted by the Natural Resources and Environment Committee The inevitable increase in Texas' population in the coming decades will cause urban water users to look far afield for water supplies. Some of that water will be beneath your land. Come for a discussion on latest water issues and learn about the role landowners play in this important process. A Continental Perspective on COOL, hosted by the Marketing Committee Beef producers on the North American continent are evaluating the effects and consequences of the U.S. law on country-of-origin labeling. Come hear about the positive or negative impacts of this law on our Canadian and Mexican counterparts and trading partners. Can Quail Decline Be Stopped? hosted by the Wildlife Committee Wildlife biologists and landowners spend countless hours studying one of the most intriguing wildlife resources on the ranch – quail. This tiny bird that scurries among the bunch grasses makes the hearts of enthusiasts and hunters pound at the explosive flushing of a covey. What's happening to the state's quail population? What can landowners do to support this fascinating species? Endangered Species Update, hosted by the Wildlife Committee The new administration in Washington is proposing the listing of many new species on the federal endangered species list. There will undoubtedly be impacts to landowners. Come for an update on which species will be listed, how landowners will be affected and what is being done about it. Watch www.texascattleraisers.org/convention for more breakout session details. Breakout sessions are hosted by TSCRA's standing committees and are designed to inform and educate TSCRA members on the important issues facing beef producers and natural resource managers.
"2010 Convention Weekend Breakout Focus" is from the February 2010 issue of The Cattleman magazine.
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