What’s Happening At TSCRA

CATTLE RAISERS IDENTIFY PRIORITIES FOR TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association announced policy priorities to guide the organization’s efforts throughout the 2023 Texas legislative session.

These priorities represent months of work by the association’s grassroots policy committees, staff and leaders, and reflect some of the most important issues facing cattle producers and beef consumers in the state.

Session priorities include: • Requiring clear and truthful labeling for cellcultured and plant-based fake meat products.

• Advocating for resources and protections to support landowners impacted by the border crisis.

• Defending private property rights and groundwater ownership rights.

• Safeguarding the cattle industry against various emerging disease threats.

“The upcoming legislative session is critical to the future of the Texas cattle industry,” said Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Arthur Uhl. “Work is already underway, laying the groundwork for issues that impact the men and women raising beef, stewarding our natural resources, and preserving the history and culture of the American Southwest.”

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is proud of its member-driven policy process, which grants a voice to ranchers, landowners and all those who live for this land. These priorities are a result of this process.

This past September, during the annual TSCRA Policy Conference, leaders and members discussed and acted on policy affecting many aspects of the organization’s mission. While these priorities emerged as the top issues impacting the industry in the coming session, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s government relations team spends significant time defending cattle raisers on the wide range of other issues that may arise. This ensures no issue affecting a person’s ability to raise cattle goes unaddressed.

To learn more about membership and becoming involved in the policy and issues shaping the Texas cattle industry, visit tscra.org/issues-and-policy.

SHAPING POLICY

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has four policy committees responsible for identifying, studying, and prioritizing issues and opportunities affecting members and the cattle industry. This includes the development of policy positions guiding the association’s actions on legislation, regulation, research, education and other activities.

The policy committees meet at least twice a year in conjunction with the association’s Summer Meeting and Policy Conference. Any association member may serve on one policy committee of their choosing subject to appointment by the president.

If ratified by the resolutions committee and the full Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association board of directors, the policies developed by each committee are included in the association’s master policy list.

Emerging young leaders enjoy time to network among fellow cattle raisers at the Young Cattle Raisers Dove Hunt and Dinner.

YOUNG CATTLE RAISERS GATHER OVER HUNT

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association held its first-ever Young Cattle Raisers Dove Hunt and Dinner Sept. 11 in Pearsall at G2 Ranch.

More than 100 young leaders met and networked with Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association directors and staff in the middle of a sunflower field as white-winged dove flew overhead before settling into the lodge for a beef dinner.

The wildly successful event demonstrated a proofof-concept for future efforts designed to encourage involvement among emerging leaders. The idea was led by the association’s leadership development committee, which focuses on the future sustainability of leadership by creating educational and networking opportunities for both youth and young producers.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association looks forward to continuing to offer engaging events, like the Young Cattle Raisers Dove Hunt and Dinner, to encourage young leader involvement.

The future of the association is being built on solid ground, and it starts today.

TSCRA MET MULTIPLE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS

On Sept. 22, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association leaders and staff wrapped up a trip to D.C. to visit with members of Congress. Discussions included a variety of issues from border security to greenhouse gas reporting requirements to the farm bill. A huge thanks to all the elected officials, and their staff for their continued support of Texas cattle raisers. T C

Left: TSCRA leaders present U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, District 28, pictured center, with a membership sign. Also pictured, from left, are: Carl Ray Polk, first vice president; Arthur Uhl, president; Stephen Diebel, second vice president and secretary/treasurer; and Brian McLaughlin, director.

SAVE THE DATE

Join us March 24-26, 2023, for the Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo in Fort Worth. Registration opens Jan. 1, 2023, at cattleraisersconvention.com.