Loose Ends

"Catalyst for Change" is the theme for the 1999 American Sheep Industry Association convention to be held Jan. 6-10 in Denver, Colo.

The convention will include a discussion on the creation of a new national, industry-wide sheep association as well as presentations on several key issues and initiatives. They include the proposed national scrapie control program, the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, Wildlife Services program funding and the U.S. lamb industry's 201 trade action on lamb imports. Representatives of the international trade law firm retained by ASI for the 201 case will make a presentation on the subject.

ASI's executive board will meet on Wednesday and Thursday. Other Thursday activities include afternoon action/policy forums for ASI's legislative, marketing, research and education, and resource management councils.

Friday activities include state executives and presidents' meetings, ASI Women's general session, regional caucuses, a U.S. Wool Marketing Assn. board meeting and the ASI Board of Directors business meeting. Capping off the day is the evening's RAMS PAC reception, at which leading sheep industry supporter Sen. Craig Thomas, R-Wyo., will speak.

The ASI Board of Directors business meeting resumes on Saturday. It will be followed by the annual ASI's Women's Reception and Benefit Auction, the ASI banquet, and National Make It Yourself With Wool Fashion Show.

The pre-registration fee — postmarked by Dec. 18 — is $150 per person. The on-site registration fee is $225 per person. The registration fee includes attendance at the Meet & Greet Reception and the ASI Banquet/Make It Yourself With Wool Fashion Show. No cancellation refunds will be made after Dec. 28.

Convention attendees should make their hotel reservations with the Denver Marriott Tech center at (800) 444-2206. More information on the ASI convention is available at (303) 771-3500 ext. 30.

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Mark McCormick of Floydada was named winner of the Texas Farm Bureau's Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Contest at the organization's 65th annual convention in Lubbock.

McCormick and his wife, Kelly, who have two children, raise cotton, milo, wheat and cattle in Floyd County.

The runners-up in the contest were Gene Baker of Anson and Ralph Seidel III, of Bay City.

Baker, 35, runs a wheat and cattle operation in Jones County. He and his wife, Paige, have two children. Seidel, 35, runs a rice and cow-calf operation near Bay City in Matagorda County. He and his wife, Candace, have three children.

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S.M. True Jr., a Plainview farmer and rancher, is the recipient of a 1998 Distinguished Texan in Agriculture Award.

The award was established in 1992 to honor leaders in Texas for outstanding leadership and significant contributions to Texas agriculture. True's influence on Texas agriculture has come primarily through his involvement in a range of issues and organizations, especially his work with state and national Farm Bureaus.

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The Texas Animal Health Commission reports that 374,767 head of cattle entered Texas from other states during November, compared to 86,102 head shipped out of state; 5105 sheep entered Texas and 7056 head of sheep were shipped out.