CATTLE RAISERS COMMUNITY
Providing Valuable Service
to Our Members By Pete Bonds, TSCRA president
S
INCE THE BEGINNING OF 2015, TEXAS AND SOUTHWESTERN Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) has had a net
increase of 312 members, and an impressive 95 percent of our members have renewed in this same timeframe. This increase in membership underscores that TSCRA is providing value to our members. It also underscores the hard work of the Regional
Association Promotion (RAP) team leaders, special rang- ers and staff in holding ranch gatherings, participating in industry events and having a presence at other ac- tivities that increase the exposure of our organization, both to members and non-members. Our communications and public affairs staff are also
contributing to this success by informing members and non-members about what the Cattle Raisers is doing to fi ght the thieves who visit our ranches in the middle of the night — and the thieves who walk the Capitol halls in Austin and Washington in broad daylight. Speaking of Austin and Washington, we have con-
tinued to monitor the aftermath of the state legisla- tive session. We hear how municipalities and utilities want to take away our groundwater rights, and how our members continue their battles in defense of their private property rights. We have already begun to gear up for the next legislative session in 2017. In Washington, we are trying to keep up with all
of the Administration’s efforts to re-write law through rule making and executive orders. The Environmental Protection Agency’s fi nal rule
on Waters of the United States is a prime example of what I am talking about. Another example is the rule allowing fresh and frozen beef to come into the U.S. from Brazil and Argentina. Our special rangers continue to track down the
thieves that visit our ranches during the middle of the night. So far this year, they have investigated 477 cases involving 4,418 head of livestock. They have been able
24 The Cattleman December 2015
to recover $1,202,284 in stolen livestock and ranch related property so far this year. I am very proud of the work they do. In July, the YLS Leadership Workshop was held at
our Fort Worth offi ce. A number of our directors and committee leaders had the opportunity to interact with members age 40 and younger. Thanks go to the expe- rienced members who spoke at the Young Leadership Series program, and for sharing your knowledge with our younger members during the meals and breaks. The caliber of young cattle raisers who attended the conference was impressive. We appreciate the efforts of the YLS Steering Committee for organizing these events. I hope you will join me in looking forward to the
fundraising project of TSCRA’s Political Action Com- mittee – the Belles of Cowtown Heifer Sale. The fundraising committee came up with a great
idea this year, and I thank John Dudley, Curtis Younts, Dan Nance and the rest of the committee for taking on this project. Pens of 5 heifers each have been donated to this fundraising sale and will be auctioned via video at the 2016 Cattle Raisers Convention. Just as important as the donors are the buyers. Come
to the Cattle Raisers Convention this spring with the intent to purchase 1 or more of the pens. This project could propel our PAC to become the #1 Ag and Land- owner PAC in Texas. Cattle Raisers continues to grow stronger every year.
Look at the more than $50,000 in new advertising in 2015 with the biggest Bull Buyer’s Guide in over a de- cade; the record-setting Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo; the service Cattle Raisers Insurance provides to members; or the opportunity for members to engage in policy discussions through the new Policy Conference. Cattle Raisers continues to be a strong organization, serving its members and the industry in a professional and respected manner.
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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