The Texas Animal Health Commission reports that 267,806 cattle entered Texas from other states in September; 95,792 cattle were exported. Texas also received 1689 sheep from other states while 1389 sheep were shipped out.

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The Third Annual Cowboy Symposium and Celebration is set at the San Angelo State Park for Saturday, October 23. The event is being sponsored by the Friends of San Angelo State Park. A variety of children's activities are planned as well as lectures, trail rides and live cowboy entertainment, all beginning at noon.

More information may be obtained by calling the state park at (915) 949-4757 or by visiting their website at http://hotyellow98.com/sanangelocowboys.

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Citing a "leaked internal document," the Texas Cattle Feeders Association reports that European Union officials "have known for months" that their own scientific studies do not support the EU's more than decade-long ban on U.S. beef produced using growth promotants. The European Community has used the "studies" as a stalling tactic to delay removing the ban.

"Former EU Trade Minister Leon Brittan and current Ag Minister Franz Fischler prepared the confidential document," TCFA says, "that admitted that scientific studies will not resolve the issue." The duo conceded that the EU will have to make "legislative changes" to comply with last year's ruling by the World Trade Organization that the ban is illegal.

Armed with the WTO ruling, the U.S. in July imposed tariffs worth $116.8 million per year on specific European ag products. The tariffs are to continue as long as the illegal ban remains in effect.

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The Texas Agricultural Extension Service is hosting a meeting entitled "Farm & Ranch Survival 2000" at the Hornsby Bend Wastewater Facility in Austin on October 25. A complementary breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. and the meeting follows at 8:30.

Topics to be discussed include an overview of Texas agricultural legislative issues; the latest news in crop insurance as risk reduction tools; a livestock outlook and ideas for capturing profits; an update on disaster assistance and row-crop outlook; and information on the Farm Assistance program.

More information may be obtained by calling the Travis County Extension office at (512) 473-9600 or the Uvalde Research and Extension Center at (830) 278-9151.

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San Angelo beef producer Bill Tullos has been elected chairman of the Texas Beef Council for 2000. Tullos, who raises cattle, sheep and goats and farms near San Angelo, represents the Texas Farm Bureau on TBC. Tullos replaces Jay O'Brien of Amarillo.

Ken Jordan of San Saba, a principal in the family-owned Jordan Cattle Auction Co. in San Saba, Mason and Brownwood, was named vice chairman. Jordan is an at-large board member representing the state's livestock markets.

Other members of TBC's executive committee are John Dudley of Comanche, representing Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assn.; and Jim Selman of Gonzales, representing the Independent Cattlemen's Assn.

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Farmers and ranchers wishing to improve their financial records and recordkeeping skills may want to attend a Nov. 3 Quickbooks seminar offered by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center north of Lubbock. The center is located a half mile east of I-27 on FM 1294.

Registration is $10 if mailed by Nov. 1 or $20 at the door. Registration forms are available at county Extension offices. Those who need further information may contact Dr. Jackie Smith at (806) 746-6101.

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The Texas Cattle Feeders Association says members have committed a million head of cattle to an as-yet undetailed marketing plan test-floated only two weeks ago. The plan is intended to coordinate fed cattle marketing using a value-based negotiated pricing structure.

"Our members are expecting TCFA to take the lead in searching for innovative approaches to marketing our product," says TCFA president Jim Schwertner.

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