An Attention Grabber I have TSCRA signs on all my gates. They seem to be working well. When people stop to look at the old hay
truck, I am asked about those signs. — Jim Williams, Lake Creek School for Successful Ranching a Worthwhile Investment
One of the great resources of
TSCRA is the members who come from successful ranches that have operated for more than 100 years. I am proud to say I know many of them. However many members of TSCRA are missing a great resource that is one of our best kept secrets — the School for Successful Ranching. My family’s brand was registered
in McLennan County in 1871, but my father chose to focus on other busi- nesses and lease out our ranches. So when I took over those properties in 1994, I needed some education. I attended the seminars held by
our local ASCS offi ce (now known as the USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service) and the King Ranch Institute at Texas A&M Kings- ville. They are both great resourc- es; however, attending the TSCRA School has probably helped me more than anything. The topics that are covered have
enabled me to realize cost savings and increase profi t on both an im- mediate and long-term basis. The instructors come from Texas A&M
10 The Cattleman March 2013
and other great land grant colleges, as well as independent businessmen who have excelled in this industry. One thing I have learned is that
change is the one of the most im- portant things that is constant in a profi table operation. Those great old ranches with extended longevity have survived not because they stayed the same, but because they changed to take advantage of technology, inno- vation and labor effi ciencies. These very things are being
taught at the School for Success- ful Ranching. When speaking with some of the members of our organi- zation who do not attend the school, I get the feeling that they think it is only for people who are new to the business. They could not be more wrong. The topics and courses are new every year. I have never attend- ed one that was a waste of my time. Some classes are a lecture, some are actual demonstrations and some are audience interactive. I know my attendance is paying
off when I have a discussion with a rancher who has been in business
much longer than I have, yet he does not know about a practice or tech- nique that was taught at the school the previous year. Most other professions like com-
mercial pilot, insurance, stockbroker, doctor and lawyer require continu- ing education. Just because it is not required for ranching doesn’t mean it is not a good idea. I know many people think they
are too busy to attend; however, they would not miss the TSCRA Conven- tion itself. I’ll tell you it is time well spent. But if you are too busy, send your
ranch manager or top hand. I’ve tak- en my top man for the last 3 years. The School for Successful Ranching is a good resource and a great bar- gain. We know that our industry would be totally different without TSCRA and I know that my ranch operation would be totally different without this school. We should sup- port our association and this super addition to our convention week. Markham B. Dossett