Sunday, February 16, 1997

Cattle Raisers to mark 120 years of service

By J.T. SMITH / Farm Editor

Some 32 years after the Republic of Texas joined the United States, Texas and the Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association was born as "The Stock- Raisers' Association of North-West Texas."

Next month, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association will mark its 120th year of service to the cattle industry.

The annual TSCRA Convention along with the TSCRA Trade Show is March 23-26 at the Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth.

Dave Thomas, founder and spokesman of Wendy's fast food chain and star of the popular TV commercials, will share his inspiring success story during the kickoff luncheon March 24.

On March 25, world-renowned author, consultant and humorist Doc Blakely will offer light-hearted advice for improving business.

Agricultural economist Bill Helming will share his economic forecast for the beef cattle industry.

Helming also will discuss the government's beef grading system and tell why he thinks the government grading system should be eliminated.

Convention-goers also will hear from John Hill Jr., former Texas secretary of state, Texas attorney general and chief justice of the Supreme Court of Texas, along with Max Deets, president-elect of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association from Beloit, Kan.

<B>Agricultural issues to be highlighted<B>

Current issues involving agricultural research, animal health, theft prevention, state and federal legislation and natural resources will be discussed in committee meetings.

Gov. George W. Bush has been invited to share his insights on important state issues - particularly property tax relief and water policy.

Meanwhile, this year's TSCRA trade show will feature exhibitors from across the country as they showcase the latest advancements for the ranching industry.

An added feature this year is the Cattle Raisers Trading Co., which will offer an assortment of western merchandise with a TSCRA theme.

<B>Lively entertainment planned<B>

A colorful entertainment agenda is planned for the four-day event.

On opening night, March 23, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Foundation will holed a gala and silent auction. The Sunday evening entertainment will feature country and western star Jo Dee Messina.

Texas actor Barry Corbin, well known for his role as Maurice on the television show, "Northern Exposure," will perform a one-man show as legendary rancher Charles Goodnight at a dinner theatre the following night.

On March 25, the cattle raisers will kick up their heels to the tunes of The Johnnie High Country Revue.

For more details and registration information, call TSCRA's Marketing and Membership Services Department at (817) 332-7064.

<B>Speaking of cattle<B>

The board of directors of the Livestock Marketing Association, noting that markets "and their producer customers depend on a strong, open and competitive cattle market," have unanimously approved a resolution supporting Sen. Tom Daschle's "Cattle Industry Improvement Act of 1997."

The board passed the resolution this month during its biannual meeting in Kansas City, Mo. The resolution says that in addition to the industry's dependence on a competitive market, "the packing and feeding industry are becoming increasingly concentrated and non-competitive."

In a letter to the South Dakota Democrat, LMA President Wayne Kruse said the resolution not only reflects the great concern that LMA's member markets have, but also of hundreds of thousands of small to mid-sized cattle producers.

These cattlemen, Kruse said, are concerned about the "anti-competitive environment the cattle industry is experiencing today as a result of the highly concentrated packing and feeding sectors."

The Daschle legislation is an encouraging sign that some in Congress are willing to take bold steps to bring competition and fairness back into the marketing of livestock in this country, Kruse said.

Among other things, Daschle's bill would require the Secretary of Agriculture to consult with the industry and define and prohibit noncompetitive practices. It also would mandate price reporting of livestock for all sales transactions conducted by any slaughtering firm.

The legislation also would require timely reporting of the quantity and price of all imports of meat products or foreign livestock.

It also would set financial penalties for any packers and buyers who retaliate against producers who publicly comment about buying practices.