CATTLE RAISERS COMMUNITY
INDUSTRY ALLIED
Texas Farm Credit Distributes $4.55 Million to Customers
Merck Releases New Cattle Handling Video
T
EXAS FARM CREDIT, A BORROWER-OWNED LENDING COOPERA- tive, is distributing $4.55 million in cash to its cus-
tomers this spring. The payment is part of $13 million in total patronage declared on the lender’s 2014 earnings. As a co-op, Texas Farm Credit keeps only the earn-
ings needed to support its ongoing operations, and returns the remainder to its borrowers, who are also stockholders and owners in the business. When bor- rowers received their checks in April, it marked the 17th consecutive year that the lender has distributed earnings through its patronage program. With this year’s total patronage declaration, Texas
Farm Credit is returning 36 cents of every dollar bor- rowers paid in interest in 2014 — more than one-third in cash now, and the balance when the lender distrib- utes the remaining allocated equities in the future. The payment is possible because of Texas Farm
Credit’s strong fi nancial results. Early in 2014, it was formed by the merger of AgriLand Farm Credit and Texas AgFinance, 2 lending cooperatives with deep agricultural roots. The lending co-op reported $18.1 million in net in-
come for the year ended Dec. 31, 2014. Loan volume at year-end was $925.8 million, a 15.5 percent increase over the previous year, with 99.2 percent of loans rated acceptable and special mention. In 2014, Texas Farm Credit distributed over $10 million in cash patronage and previously allocated equities to its customers. Texas Farm Credit fi nances agricultural operations,
agribusinesses, and the purchase and improvement of rural real estate such as farms, ranches and recre- ational property.
M
ERCK ANIMAL HEALTH HAS RELEASED AN EDUCATIONAL video about cattle transportation as part of its
CreatingConnections™ program. This program helps ranchers better understand cattle behavior in order to reduce stress, improve cattle reproduction and foster stronger immune responses in the herd. The fi rst video in the series presents a practical look
at low-stress handling techniques that capitalize on the natural behaviors of beef cattle. It also illustrates how to keep cattle calm as they move from the feedyard pens, through the chute, onto the trailer and unload at the packing plant.
Understanding cattle behavior The key to effectively moving, loading and transport-
ing cattle is to use the animal’s natural behaviors and instincts. “If cattle are relaxed, content and confi dent, they will move easily,” said Tom Noffsinger, D.V.M. In the video, he walks the viewer through the process with a practical narrative and explains: • How to move slowly to guide cattle out of a pen, working with the group’s voluntary fl ow and follow- the-leader instincts.
• Once in the chute, how to apply gentle pressure and calm motion to keep cattle at the front mov- ing forward.
• The important role that a truck driver plays, and tips for a successful, low-stress transport. For more information about CreatingConnections
or to view the educational video, please visit www.
creatingconnections.info. Additional videos are avail- able to learn more about best management practices that enhance animal care and positively impact the operation’s bottom line. As the year progresses, more educational modules will be offered.
20 The Cattleman June 2015
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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