Tuesday, September 23, 1997

Ranchers' Lamb of Texas opens processing plant today

By J.T. SMITH / Farm Editor

Ranchers' Lamb of Texas will open a new sheep and goat processing plant at noon today in San Angelo.

This plant will allow Texas sheep and goat producers to take an active part in value-added processing of their product. The new facility also will mean that producers can play a stronger role in the future of their industry.

Ranchers' Lamb of Texas has constructed a new 19,000 square-foot packing facility for sheep and goats 3 miles east of San Angelo on Highway 380.

The actual processing of sheep and goats will begin on Oct. 1.

The plant will employ about 55 to 60 workers staff, and administration. The plant opening also will provide additional jobs in support companies - inclduing pelt processing and rendering in the San Angelo area.

Plant is the effort of many

Investors in Ranchers' Lamb of Texas consists of sheep and goat producers along with corporate and private entities.

Financing for the entity will be provided by 17 area agricultural banks along with numerous grants from the city of San Angelo, Tom Green County and various agencies in Texas.

Ranchers' Lamb will process about 8,000 lambs per week, and also about 1,500 goats per week.

The plant will incorporate the latest in U.S., European, Australian, and New Zealand technology, and will meet USDA and international health and safety standards.

Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Texas Ag Commissioner Rick Perry are among those slated to be in San Angelo today for the opening ceremony. They will be joined by State Sen. Robert Junnell, San Angelo Mayor John Fender, Tom Green County Judge Mike Brown, Sam Feazell of the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, and A.H. "Chico" Denis, Rancher's Lamb board chairman.

Briscoe to receive Golden Spur on Friday

Speaking of ranchers, former Texas Gov. Dolph Briscoe, Jr., will be honored with the 1997 National Golden Spur Award in Lubbock Friday evening.

Briscoe will be recognized during the National Golden Spur Award and Prairie Party which will kick off with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. following by the dinner at 7:30 p.m. in the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center.

The award annually honors the nation's top rancher.

Dinner for this gala event will be prepared by Tom Perini of Buffalo Gap.

The Golden Spur represents joint recognition by all eight of the ranching industry's leading national associations, which is unprecedented.

Reservations range from $50 a ticket to table-of-eight reservations in the categories of Working Cowhand for $550; Cow Boss for $1,000; and Ranch Baron, for $2,500. Proceeds from the gathering go to the annual fund-raising drive for the Ranching Heritage Association's historical preservation programs.

For more information, contact the Ranching Heritage Association at (806) 742-2498.