Thursday, September 18, 1997

Ranchers to converge on Rising Star in October

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

Cattlemen from across the South will be heading to a Rising Star ranch for the first-ever Limousin "Directions Awareness Day" on Oct. 11 to hear leading authorities in the beef industry.

The program begins at 9 a.m. at Scott's Oak Grove Farms and is co-sponsored by the Texas Limousin Association. The Scott ranch is just nine miles north of the four-way stop in Rising Star on Highway 183 on the east side of the road.

Or, if coming from Interstate 20 and Cisco, the ranch is 11 miles south of I-20 on Highway 183. The ranch sign is beside the highway and easily visible.

Beginning with Casey Kelley of Cattle-Fax, Englewood, Colo., the day will feature some of the most knowledgeable people in the cattle industry giving their perspectives.

Kelley will kick of the day's line-up with a market outlook and also examine what beef producers can do to better position themselves for the next turn in the cattle cycle.

Dr. John McNeill of Texas A&M University, College Station, will then speak about the state's highly informative Ranch-to-Rail program.

The Ranch-to-Rail program lets ranchers see in reality how their cattle actually perform in the feedlot. Dr. McNeill was recently recognized nationally as Progressive Farmer magazine "Man of the Year in Agriculture" for his efforts with the Ranch-to-Rail program.

What cattle bring top dollar?

If you are wondering what "type and kind" of cattle bring top dollar in the market, then you don't want to miss Ken Jordan of Jordan Auction Co. in San Saba. He and the Jordan family own and operate three auction markets (including Brownwood).

Meanwhile, Bronco Askew, manager of Pico Ranches of Breckenridge and Albany, will discuss Pico's 1,000-head operation that utilizes Limousin bulls. Askew will speak from the commercial cow/calf producer's point of view.

Dr. John Edwards of the North American Limousin Foundation will take participants through discussions of planned matings by using actual heifers and bulls, and evaluating them during the program. This live animal portion of the program also will look at the genetics behind feeder and stocker calves.

Laura's Lean Beef

Laura's Lean Beef of Lexington, Ky., markets a branded beef product through grocery stores in the eastern United States.

John Tobe of Laura's will talk about the requirements for its product and how its program benefits producers who meet the criteria to sell cattle into the Laura's Lean program.

As many producers are considering integrated alliances, Wyman Poe of Monfort Integrated Genetics, of Wheelock also will talk about the options available through MIG to garner premiums through meeting specific guidelines.

Richard Wortham of the Texas Beef Council, Austin, will give an overview the Texas beef industry and detail how check-off dollars are working for all beef producers.

For more information on this superb program, contact the Texas Limousin Association at (817) 297-2462, or Scott's Oak Grove Farms at (254) 643-2388.