FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cattle Raisers convention set for March 26-29

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 1, 2006—Government leaders and industry authorities will discuss the issues that impact beef producers during Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s 129th annual convention March 26-29 in San Antonio.
      “Drought, immigration, trade, border security, tax reform, market uncertainty and animal ID are serious concerns this year,” says TSCRA President C.R. “Dick” Sherron.
      “TSCRA’s convention program is designed to help producers learn what to expect and how to adapt to new opportunities and challenges as the cattle industry goes through this significant period of transition.”

Speakers
      Keynote speaker Tony Snow, political analyst with FOX News, will challenge, entertain and inform with his signature humor and insight during TSCRA’s kickoff luncheon on Monday.
      Major issues and speakers on the agenda include:
      ● Immigration reform, border security, guest worker program, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla.
      ● Tax reform and school finance, John Sharp, chairman, Texas Tax Reform Commission.
      ● Analysis of major meteorological events (tsunami, hurricanes, drought) and climate change around the world, Evelyn Browning-Gariss, climatologist.
      ● Coping with changes in the cattle market as we move from historically high prices and profitability to a period of rapid herd expansion, increasing supplies and the inevitable change in the cattle cycle, Mark Miller, Cattle-Fax.
      ● Washington legislative update, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
      ● Opportunities in reestablished, developing and newly created beef markets, John Bellinger, chairman, U.S. Meat Export Federation.
      ● Current beef industry issues and the importance of the state/national partnership, Mike John, president, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
      ● Promoting the nutritional and health benefits of beef, Shalene McNeill, Texas Beef Council, and Dayle Hayes, president, Nutrition for the Future, Inc.
      ● Applying market models that work, Deborah Jenkins, director of marketing-communications, Certified Angus Beef.
      ● Trends in the meat case, Nancy Rodriguez.
      Committee speakers will examine more specific problems.
      ● “Fulfilling the Land Grant Mission of Texas A&M Agriculture,” Dr. Elsa Murano, vice chancellor and dean, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Texas A&M University.
      ● “Tifton 85 Bermudagrass Research Update,” Dr. Monte Rouquette, Texas A&M University.
      ● “Update on the Invasive Cactus Moth,” Dr. Barron Rector, rangeland ecology and management specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension.
      ● “Recent Trends in Wind Energy,” Alan Carmichael, Sweetwater, Texas.
      ● “Wind Energy,” Susan Combs, commissioner of agriculture.
      ● “Operation Game Thief,” Lt. Col. Buddy Turner, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
      ● Report on the activities of Texas CattleWomen, Rosemary Gambino, president.
      ● “Fostering Better Understanding Between Hunting Lessor and Lessee,” panel discussion, David Rios, biologist, El Sauz Ranch, Raymondville; A.C. “Dick” Jones, rancher, Corpus Christi; Dusty Graves, ranch owner/outfitter; and Skip Casey, outfitter/hunting lessee.

Silent auction and trade show
      The general public is also welcome to browse TSCRA’s 200-exhibit trade show and bid on a bargain at the silent auction. Items up for bid include exclusive hunting and fishing trips, jewelry, a gooseneck trailer, a stallion and farm and ranch products.
      Auction hours are from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, March 27. Bids close promptly at 5 p.m., and payment is due by 6 p.m. on Monday. 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 noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, March 27, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28.
      There’s much more on the schedule: School for Successful Ranching, Level II Beef Quality Assurance training, BQA certification assistance, legal seminar and a new member reception.

Entertainment
      Entertainment events on Sunday include a trade show reception with food and entertainment; the Young People’s Party at Casa Rio on the river; and the TSCR Foundation Gala with dinner, dancing and silent auction to benefit the Cattle Raisers Museum and educational activities of the foundation.
      On Monday, there’s another trade show reception with food and entertainment and the popular “Night in Old San Antonio” with dinner and dancing at nearby La Villita. The Craig Chambers band will provide the music.
      On Tuesday, there will be a complimentary breakfast in the trade show provided by Pioneer Mills; a spouse event on pairing wine with beef and a trade show luncheon with entertainment by Tom & the Texicans.
      The TSCRA PAC dinner on Tuesday evening will feature dinner, dancing and a live auction. Gov. Rick Perry will be the special guest. Entertainment will be provided by The Dave Parkoff Trio.

Register online
      A detailed agenda and registration information for convention and hotels are posted on TSCRA’s Web page at www.texascattleraisers.org .
      Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 129-year-old trade organization whose 13,500 members manage approximately 5.4 million cattle on 70.3 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma.

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