Loose Ends

The third annual West Texas Ranchers’ Conference is set for November 4 beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the San Angelo Fairgrounds Exhibit building.

Topics include a sheep and cattle market outlook presented by Dr. Ernie Davis, Extension livestock market specialist. James Fuqua of the Lazy U Ranch near Quanah will discuss a plan of preparation for hard times. Dr. David Bade, Extension forage specialist, will discuss the specifics of haying and grazing annual forages. Dr. Bryan McMurry, Cargill Animal Nutrition, will end the morning session with ideas on strategic planning for supplemental feeding.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association will host a town hall meeting during the noon hour to discus issues of concern for Texas ranchers. The afternoon session will include a live animal demonstration and panel discussion. Overall, the panel discussion will center around drouth recovery but will specifically focus on breeding heifers back, body condition scoring and the economics of restocking.

The program will end with a discussion on horse theft prevention. Officer Grab Davis, with the Tom Green County Sheriff’s Department, and Jack Andrews, brand inspector, will give a freeze branding demonstration. An optional session will begin at 2:30 p.m. for ranchers who wish to earn two CEU’s for pesticide applicator recertification.

The program is free of charge, but registration is required in order to plan for the complimentary noon meal. More information is available from the Tom Green County Extension office at (915)659-6522 or (800)242-7820, ext. 192.

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Robert Roark, Andrews County Extension agent, received the Texas Section Society for Range Management Outstanding County Agent award. Roark received the honor during the society’s recent annual meeting. Roark earned the award for his years of work promoting sustainable rangeland management practices to a variety of audiences.

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Jay O’Brien of Amarillo has been appointed chairman of the Texas Beef Council for its fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. O’Brien, a cow-calf, stocker and feeder operator, represents Texas Cattle Feeders Association on TBC’s board. As chairman, O’Brien replaces Jim Williams of Boling who represents the Texas Purebred Alliance.

Also appointed was vice chair, San Angelo rancher Bill Tullos. Tullos represents the Texas Farm Bureau.

Two new directors were also seated, John E. Dudley of Comanche, representing Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; and Mary Prud’homme of Tyler, representing Texas CattleWomen.

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MooreMan’s Inc. has announced a new system that will enable their customers to market their finished cattle through U.S. Premium Beef Ltd.

U.S. Premium Beef is a producer-owned closed marketing cooperative which owns National Beef Packing Company, the nation’s fourth largest beef processor, in partnership with Farmland Industries Inc. It has in place a system that rewards producers for producing better quality cattle not only by selling on an industry-competitive grid (grade and yield basis) but also by sharing in the value-added profits of National Beef. In addition, producers who market cattle through U.S. Premium Beef receive individual carcass data, at no cost, on all the cattle they market through the company.

More information is available from Gus Krajicke, MoorMan’s Livestock Project Manager, at (402)564-3155 or any local MoorMan’s feed sales representative.