Fort Worth, Texas - The 132nd Annual Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) Convention in Fort Worth will be filled with educational opportunities for producers. Beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, producers will have the opportunity to be a part of multiple breakout sessions covering topics from foot-and-mouth disease to tight credit markets and everything in between.
"The past year was an exceptional year for cattle raisers in Texas. Hurricane Ike displaced and killed thousands of cattle, and drought and floods plagued our ranch land," TSCRA President Jon Means said. "All of this was, and still is, on the back of a slumping economy. So far, 2009 hasn't been much easier for the industry, which is why it is critical TSCRA continues to offer new programs to train and tool producers for harsh conditions. Each of these sessions offers a unique opportunity for ranchers to hear from experts, ask questions and talk with each other about their particular experiences and techniques."
Breakout sessions begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21 and continue through Sunday morning. Each session is approximately one hour and open to everyone attending the convention.
Session topics include foot-and-mouth disease, fever ticks, trichomoniasis, federal natural resource and environment issues, new labor laws under the Obama Administration, Washington D.C legislative update, Texas 81st Legislative Session update, groundwater rights, coping with natural disasters, fire ants, the global meat industry, and the economic climate's impact on restaurant menus.
A complete schedule of breakout sessions can be found at http://texascattleraisers.org/09Convention/breakout_sessions.html.
More than 2,000 ranchers and landowners will gather in Fort Worth for a weekend of programs and educational sessions, a trade show with more than 200 companies, networking and fellowship with fellow cattle raisers.
All members of the press are invited to attend. See weekend schedule and registration information below. Please fill out the registration form and fax it back to Carmen Fenton at 512-469-0017. If you will register after March 16, please call Carmen Fenton at 512-673-3906 All members of the media will need press credentials to obtain complimentary admission to the different events.
Friday, March 20
7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
School for Successful Ranching
TSCRA provides the 15th School for Successful Ranching to help educate ranchers so they are better equipped to make informed decisions, especially during tough economical times.
3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Trade Show Grand Opening
More than 200 exhibitors will show their products and services to 2,000-plus visitors at the 34th annual trade show.
Saturday, March 21
7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Trade Show
· Breakfast, 7:00 - 8:00
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
School for Successful Ranching
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
General Session
· Keynote Speaker: Don Reynolds
Economist and futurist Don Reynolds, will take a real-world look at the global market prior to, during and following the financial crisis to help TSCRA members understand the course the U.S. can take on this new roadmap.
12:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Trade Show
· Lunch, 12:30 - 2:00
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Sunday, March 22
7:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Trade Show
· Cowboy Church, 7:00 - 8:00
· Breakfast, 7:30 - 8:30
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Breakout Sessions
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
CattleFax Outlook
CattleFax's Mike Miller will give the state-of-the-industry review of the cattle market.
12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Closing General Session Luncheon
· Keynote Speakers: Ron Hall & Denver Moore
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 131-year-old trade organization and is the largest livestock association in Texas. TSCRA has more than 15,000 members who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement services, livestock inspection, legislative and regulatory advocacy and educational opportunities for its members.
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