A six-county West Texas Ranchers' Conference is set for November 10 at Angelo State University's Management, Instruction and Research Center. Registration begins at 8:30. Three continuing education units will be offered.

The conference will focus on income alternatives. Topics to be discussed include a legislative update; parasite control; cull cow management; nature tourism; and live animal demonstrations depicting what cow buyers are looking for as well as assistance with difficult calving.

Registration includes a steak lunch. Interested persons should contract the Tom Green County Extension office at (915) 659-6524 before Nov. 3 to pre-register.

*****

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assn. has requested that Executive Order 13112, entitled "Invasive Species," be rescinded, explaining that an overly-broad interpretation of an executive order from President Clinton threatens the use of many of the most common and useful plants introduced into the United States during the past 200 years.

Important forages such as bermudagrass, bahiagrass, buffelgrass, Old World bluestems and many others used for tame pasture, hay production, critical area protection, landscaping and recreational areas such as golf courses as well as mine reclamation areas could be targeted by federal agencies as "alien" species.

The TSCRA resolution states that identification and management of undesirable species should be determined on a local, state or regional basis by those closest to the situation with federal assistance only upon request. A related policy approved by TSCRA's board of directors supports the enactment of legislation which restates and reinforces the constitutional separation of powers by which only the legislative branch makes laws and the executive branch can only carry out laws passed by Congress.

*****

The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association is seeking nominations for its annual Livestock Inspector of the Year Award. Nominations should include the name and address of the inspector as well as a brief narrative on why the inspector is deserving of the award. Nominations should be directed to Joe Romero, PO Box 213, Velarde, New Mexico, 87582-0213, no later than Nov. 1.

The award will be presented during the 1999 Joint Stockmen's Convention slated for Dec. 9-12 in Albuquerque. More information may be obtained by calling the NMCGA office at (505) 247-0584.

*****

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is asking beef cattle producers, auction markets, ag lenders and other agribusiness organizations to nominate young people actively engaged in the cattle business for a special award. The winner of the Dectomax Young Cattle Raisers Award will receive a travel scholarship to spend the day with a cattle industry mentor of their choice in the United States.

A committee of ranchers will evaluate the nominees based on commitment, sound management and vision. The winner will be named during TSCRA's annual trade show and convention.

To qualify, nominees must be between the ages of 20 and 39 and have an active role in producing beef cattle. Nominations are due by Nov. 1. Applications and additional information are available from Sharla Ishmael at (800) 242-7820, ext. 134.

*****

The deadline for the Texas Department of Agriculture's 1999 Family Land Heritage program has been extended to Oct. 31. The Family Land Heritage program recognizes farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural production by the same family for at least 100 years.

Program applications are available through county judges and TDA. Applications may be obtained by writing to Debbie Ellis, Texas Department of Agriculture, PO Box 12847, Austin, Texas; or by calling Ms. Ellis at (512) 463-7653.

Applications are also available on the TDA Internet website at www.agr.state.tx.us.

*****

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is listing entertainers who participated in the recent Millenium Gala sponsored by the radical animal rights/vegetarian group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

"When making movie, television and music choices," suggests PRCA, "remember, the following celebrities support PETA."

PRCA's list includes Pamela Anderson Lee, Steven Seagal, Gillian Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kristen Johnson, Alec Baldwin, Ellen DeGeneres, Anne Heche, Linda Blair, Bill Maher, Alicia Silverstone, James Cromwell, Rebecca DeMornay, Montel Williams, Roger Daltry, Peter Falk, Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), Grace Slick, Rikki Lake, Woody Harrelson, Richard Pryor, Sara McLaughlin, the B52s, and Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders.

On the other side of the ledger, PRCA notes, Wall Street Journal reporter Elizabeth Bukowski, in a Sept. 24 article, called for rodeo to recognized over football and baseball as the real "national pastime."

Bukowski wrote: "For a sport that embraces U.S. history and values, for top-notch athletes who perform death-defying feats and keep legions of fans on the edge of their seats — the only choice is rodeo."

She also praised rodeo's treatment of animals and dismissed the sport's critics as "uninformed animal-rights groups."

*****

The Washington Times has reported that top Clinton administration officials leaked "sensitive information" to environmental terrorists engaged in a standoff with law enforcement officials in an Oregon forest. The armed eco-radicals dug up roads and threatened to use metal spikes to maim anyone entering the forest. During a year-long standoff, the Times reported, Clinton's Council on Environmental Quality fed the radicals sensitive information, and administration chief of staff Leon Panetta ordered local law enforcement officials to "stand down" when they prepared to arrest the lawbreakers.

(How could it be that the popular press managed to overlook a year-long siege by left-wing, eco-radical terrorists and made front-page news out of a much shorter standoff by a religious group, Waco's Branch Davidians? Could it be that lawbreaking by the left isn't news, especially when the lawbreakers have White House allies? Nah, it couldn't be that. — Ed.)

*****