“Our Texas system of having
your brand registered with your county is needed because of more than 170,000 ranches in the state. There are some 27,000 brands in New Mexico, which is small enough for each to have an individual brand. New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana all have state brand laws. Any unbranded animal is owned by the state. “We depend heavily on our
special rangers to help fi nd stolen cattle at auction barns and other locations. Having cattle branded helps identify them. I think it’s important for all ranches to brand their cattle to help prevent rustlers from getting away.”
Membership involvement Bonds says he is thankful for
the many past TSCRA leaders who have worked to obtain laws that favor property owners. “Everyone needs to thank Dave
Scott and Joe Parker (past TSCRA presidents),” he says. “Groundwater is owned by ranchers and wanted by cities. Dave and Joe took up the fi ght for private property water rights and helped get it through the Texas Legislature. It was always assumed that was the law. But it was never a written statute. Now it is, thanks to work by Dave, Joe and others. “That just shows how important
it is for TSCRA members and all ranchers to get involved. There’s an old saying, ‘if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.’ We need to make sure state and regional water committees have rancher represen- tatives on them. “A lot of things our directors,
offi cers and especially TSCRA staff members are doing are aimed at what rural communities will need 50 years down the road,” Bonds adds. “With the increase in urban
80 The Cattleman December 2013
populations, it’s going to be tougher on rural areas. We’re trying to plan for that by having ranchers, farmers and other rural representatives on important decision-making boards.” Bonds encourages TSCRA mem-
bers to use the many educational programs offered by the association via its website and social media net- works, like Facebook and Twitter. The TSCRA app for smartphones and tablets provides instant access to association events and activities. “Most of us know about the great
insurance programs TSCRA contin- ues to provide for us,” Bonds says. “We’re trying to help our mem- bers position themselves in the new world after Obamacare [the Affordable Care Act] comes on. That comes through good communica- tion across our territory. “There are also great network-
ing opportunities offered through our popular Ranch Gatherings, and of course, our annual convention and trade show. The Beef Quality Assurance programs we’re putting on are really helping all types of cattle operations. And our Young Leadership Series is getting more young people involved. They ac- tually run the program and work with ranchers, young and old. It’s a great education.”
Beef checkoff benefi ts all Bonds, a constant promoter of
beef research and market devel- opment, isn’t afraid to call for an increase in beef checkoff funds. “I’m in favor of raising the check- off a lot more than some of our members,” he says. “I know costs of production keep getting higher. But the checkoff has been $1 per head since it started in the 1980s. With infl ation, that $1 is now worth only about 44 cents. “The U.S. Meat Export Federa-
tion needs more money. The amount our industry gives generates some matching funds from the federal government for promoting beef worldwide. The future of this busi- ness, for my daughters and grand- children, is not just in the U.S., but also worldwide. The world’s rising middle class wants to eat better. Even if they can get a good steak just once a year from grain- fed beef, that’s a lot of beef sales we’re missing.” Bonds knows that challenges
cattle producers will undoubtedly face from excess regulations, animal rights activists and the weather like- ly won’t go away. But neither will the beef industry’s ability and de- termination to protect the interests of TSCRA members and producers everywhere. And despite pressure from outside forces, Bonds knows he can count on his fellow ranchers to help others. A good example is a spontane-
ous effort he made to help military personnel and their families. In the spring of 2013, Bonds encouraged attendees of the TSCRA conven- tion in Fort Worth to contribute to the All American Beef Battal- ion (AABB). AABB provides steak dinners with all the trimmings to service men and women returning from overseas duty. In a little more than an hour,
Bonds and TSCRA Director Chris Scharbauer of Amarillo raised more than $13,500 during a convention general session. They matched with $10,000 on their own. “As ranchers, feeders and those
who work directly with produc- ers, we have a lot to be thankful for,” Bonds says. “I’m very proud of the way TSCRA steps up to help many causes like AABB. And, I’m very proud to be president of this legendary association.”
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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