2024 TSCRA Annual Report by tscra

To advance and protect the stewards of land and livestock in the Southwest

VISION

We speak for the land and its stewards

CORE VALUES

STEWARDSHIP

Leave the land better than we found it COURAGE

Do the right thing, no matter the consequence LEADERSHIP

Be the leader in everything we do HERITAGE

Honor the past while protecting the future INTEGRITY

Let character build trust

ADVANCING THE INDUSTRY

Dear cattle raisers:

If there is one word to describe the work of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) over the past year, it's “advance.” The journey began late in 2023, when our board of volunteer leaders adopted a new six-year strategic plan, and with it, an updated mission: “to advance and protect the stewards of the land and livestock in the Southwest.” The addition of “advance,” emphasizes our commitment to driving the industry forward. This past year has been all about putting that vision into action, and we've made significant progress in turning our boldest goals into reality.

We kicked off 2024 with a major milestone: the launch of the TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to developing the next generation of land and livestock stewards. The foundation supports high school and college programs, internships and professional development opportunities for young leaders. Additionally, we introduced the TSRCA Leadership Development Foundation Working Grant Program, providing financial assistance to beef entrepreneurs. These grants will transform lives, revitalize rural economies and strengthen the future of the livestock industry.

Our Cattle Raisers PAC achieved remarkable success during the 2024 general election, playing a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape for the benefit of our members. Of the 140 candidates endorsed by the PAC, 139 emerged victorious, setting the stage to advance key policies that will impact our industry in 2025. This includes creating regulations around the sale of cell cultured proteins in Texas, updates to technology used for brand registration, repealing the estate tax at the federal level and passage of a new farm bill, among many other critical issues.

Our members are the lifeblood of our organization, and we take great pride in our continued growth. We relaunched our Business Partner Member program, creating more opportunities to engage with new partners and additional value to cattle raisers across the Southwest. The program allows companies and organizations whose mission and values align with TSCRA to support the association while also accessing advertising discounts and exclusive opportunities to engage with members of the organization.

Despite these many accomplishments, I found the most pride in our association and this community through its response to the devastating wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma. The TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund quickly mobilized to assist cattle raisers affected by the Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce wildfires, the largest wildfire event in Texas history. Thanks to the generosity of more than 1,700 individuals and businesses, the fund raised over $2.9 million, providing vital assistance to cattle raisers facing devastating losses, as well as 50 Volunteer Fire Departments.

As we look to the year ahead, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our members, volunteer board, staff and partners. Your dedication and support have made this year a true period of advancement.

Carl Ray Polk Jr. 2024-2026 TSCRA President

OUR LEADERS

PRESIDENT

Carl Ray Polk Jr. Lufkin

G. Hughes Abell Austin

Pete Bonds Saginaw

Austin Brown III Beeville

C. Coney Burgess Amarillo

David Crow

Corpus Christi

Alan Curry San Angelo

Seth Denbow Weatherford

John E. Dudley Comanche

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Stephen Diebel

Victoria

Executive Committee

Jamie Donnell Fowlerton

Shelby Horn

Fredericksburg

Joe Leathers Guthrie

Bob McCan Victoria

Robert E. McKnight Jr. Fort Davis

J. Mark McLaughlin

San Angelo

Jon Means

Van Horn

Joe J. Parker Jr. Byers

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY/TREASURER

Dan Gattis

Georgetown

James L. “Jimmie” Powell San Angelo

G. Dave Scott

Richmond

John M. “Jack” Shelton III Amarillo

C.R. “Dick” Sherron, MD Beaumont

Richard Thorpe lll, MD Winters

Cody Webb Barnhart

Claudia Wright

Richmond

Arthur G. Uhl III

San Antonio

OUTREACH

TSCRA empowers members with timely news and valuable educational content. From our award-winning magazine to in-person events, we’ve worked to ensure our members have easy access to the tools and knowledge they need to effectively steward their land and livestock throughout the year.

Online Events

We hosted 12 Ranching 101 webinars in 2024 through our School for Successful Ranching. Featuring 14 industry experts , these webinars provided 22,300 people with access to valuable insights on animal health, pasture management, marketing and more. In addition, we held an educational webinar related to important changes in traceability rules impacting the cattle industry. TSCRA also produced 12 episodes of TSCRA Talk , generating nearly 6,000 downloads last year.

In-Person Events

In-person events remain a cornerstone of TSCRA, including our Summer Meeting in San Antonio, policy committee meetings in Fort Worth and official business-focused meetings throughout the year. The 2024 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo drew more than 4,300 attendees, the largest turnout in the last five years. Additionally, we hosted 20 Ranch Gatherings across Texas, bringing together more than 2,800 participants. In tandem with Ranch Gatherings, we hosted six in-person animal traceability panels.

The Cattleman

Each page of The Cattleman tells the story of the cattle industry. In 2024, we published more than 1,000 pages filled with stories crafted to inform, engage and inspire our community. TSCRA earned four first-place and two second-place awards in the 2024 Livestock Publications Council Contest, which honors livestock publications and marketing specialists nationwide.

Published pages of The Cattleman engaged our community 1,000+

Online events provided valuable industry insights

In-person events brought people together

Success rate 99.92% 139 Endorsed candidates won their race

$331,550

Distributed to PAC endorsed candidates

Cattle Raisers PAC Success

The 2024 general election was a huge success for the Cattle Raisers PAC. With a remarkable 99.92% success rate, all but one of the 140 endorsed candidates won their race. The PAC supports candidates who recognize the vital role of ranchers, landowners and the beef industry at large by backing them through endorsements, meetings and contributions.

Members Shaped TSCRA Policy

As a grassroots organization, our members play an essential role in shaping our policy priorities, offering a shared voice. Leading up to the 89th Texas Legislative Session, we hosted four committee meetings to establish key policy priorities, which were reviewed and approved by members during the 2024 Summer Meeting.

By representing 28,000 cattle raisers and land stewards, we’ve become a leading advocacy group at the state and national levels. Over the past year, our dedicated leaders, members and staff have worked tirelessly on many issues to ensure ranchers’ and landowners’ voices

Expanding Market Opportunities Through Relationships

In April, our leaders attended a joint meeting of Congress in Washington, D.C., where Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida spoke. Japan, the second largest importer of U.S. beef, accounted for $1.8 billion in exports in 2023. Strengthening trade relations with Japan is crucial as we have the opportunity to expand the market by an estimated $380 million over the next 10 years.

We actively engage in legal matters affecting our members. Last year, we filed an amicus brief to the Texas Supreme Court in CactusWaterServices,LLCv.COGOperating,LLC, supporting landowners in a groundwater ownership dispute. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling in LoperBrightEnterprisesv.Raimondo overturned the Chevron deference, making it harder for federal agencies to withstand legal challenges to their regulations.

Your Voice Matters

Our member’s testimonies are key to securing legislative victories. Last year, Second Vice President Dan Gattis testified before the Texas House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock, advocating for protections against foreign ownership of farm, timber, pastureland and agriculture facilities in Texas and the implementation of right-to-farm legislation.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Preserving the livelihoods of ranchers and protecting stewards of the land is a task that requires unwavering dedication. Our special rangers step into action time and again, as they have done for more than a century. The dedicated team of more than 28 special rangers rose to the challenge throughout 2024 with expertise and an unparalleled sense of duty as they investigated livestock theft and other ranch-related property crimes.

In 2024, the special rangers conducted 911 investigations where they recovered more than $7 million in property, including 3,443 head of cattle. Our rangers know these aren’t just numbers— they represent the lives of ranchers and families whose businesses depend on the land and livestock they’ve worked so hard to build. That’s why for them, it’s more than just a job – it’s a calling.

Did you know?

The TSCRA Special Ranger Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that supplies high-quality training and equipment to TSCRA Special Rangers. TSCRA Special Rangers do not receive federal, state or local funding.

EDUCATION

Developing and supporting the next generation of land and livestock stewards is vital to our nation’s future. Throughout the last year, TSCRA made strategic moves to invest in these future leaders, reducing barriers to entry and championing their long-term success in the industry.

Leadership Development Foundation

We proudly launched the TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation in 2024 to equip students and future land and livestock stewards with education, professional development and financial support. With robust high school and collegiate programming, internships and networking opportunities, the foundation is committed to cultivating the next generation of leaders.

Working Grant Program

As part of the new Leadership Development Foundation, TSCRA launched the Working Grant Program in 2024 to support individuals entering or staying in beef production. Nearly $200,000 in non-repayable grants were awarded to entrepreneurs, helping them establish long-term careers in the beef industry.

We invested in 75 students by providing valuable internships, conferences & leadership development opportunities

TSCRA Leadership Launch

Our inaugural Leadership Launch offered 15 high school students an exclusive opportunity to explore the intersection of agriculture and public policy in Austin. The program allowed students to engage with 13 industry leaders and elected officials, delving into the legislative process and gaining valuable insights into the critical issues shaping the future of agriculture.

Cattle Raisers Roundup

TSCRA hosted its third annual Cattle Raisers Roundup in 2024, a weeklong summer camp for high school juniors and seniors to gain hands-on experience in agriculture. Throughout the 20-stop tour, 21 students gained valuable exposure to financial institutions, cattle operations, meatpacking facilities, a co-op and a lumberyard.

Beef Quality Assurance Trainings

TSCRA coordinated 12 Beef Quality Assurance training courses across the state, resulting in more than 240 certifications. These efforts support producers in raising high-quality beef within safe and sustainable environments.

TSCRA DISASTER RELIEF FUND

The Smokehouse Creek Fire and Windy Deuces wildfires burned 1.2 million acres of the Texas Panhandle and parts of Western Oklahoma beginning Feb. 26. Some estimates report more than 10,000 head of cattle died, with damage expected to affect ranchers and rural communities for years to come.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers mobilized to assist. Working alongside first responders and agency partners, special rangers spent the month helping families evacuate, identify and return missing livestock, and distribute critical donations of hay, feed and livestock supplies to those impacted.

In conjunction with on-the-ground efforts, the association immediately activated the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that supports cattle raisers in Texas and Oklahoma during disasters, to reduce the financial burden of recovery. The effort resulted in more than $2.9 million donated from over 1,700 donors, demonstrating an incredible outpouring of support for the ranching families affected. Funds were distributed to cattle raisers and Volunteer Fire Departments impacted by the largest wildfire in Texas history.

$2.9M

Was raised for cattle raisers affected by wildfire

Donors contributed to support ranching families 1,700

WITH TSCRA’S HELP, IT’S POSSIBLE TO CONTINUE THIS RANCH FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

Haley Clark-Esters 7 Bar Ranch

6666 Smokehouse Creek & Windy Deuces Fire Relief Benefit

More than 200 guests gathered in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, May 6, to support cattle raisers impacted by record-breaking wildfires in the Texas Panhandle and Western Oklahoma. The 6666 Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce Fire Relief Benefit was co-hosted by Four Sixes Ranch owner, Taylor Sheridan, and Ryan Bingham, in partnership with Hotel Drover. Funds were raised exclusively for the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund.

Guests included actors from the Yellowstone series, Fort Worth elites and ranchers who joined for a cocktail hour, seated dinner, live auction led by Taylor Sheridan and music from Ryan Bingham.

Sponsors included: Ariat, Bingham’s Bourbon, Cinch, Encore Global, Hotel Drover, J5 Brands, Kubota and Tito’s Vodka.

MEMBERSHIP

2,500

New members joined TSCRA in 2024

As the largest and oldest livestock organization in Texas, we take immense pride in representing our members. They’re the cattle raisers, landowners and wildlife managers, who live for this land and raise high-quality beef to feed families around the globe. In 2024, we welcomed more than 2,500 new members, reflecting the continued trust and growth of our community. We now proudly represent more than 28,000 cattle raisers and landowners throughout the Southwest.

TSCRA Nominee Wins National Environmental Award

It is a privilege to celebrate the successes of our members. G Bar C Ranch was nominated by TSCRA and honored as the national winner of the NCBA’s 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award Program. Recognized for its exceptional stewardship practices and conservation efforts, G Bar C Ranch became the fifth Texas-based operation to receive this prestigious title.

Business Partner Member Program

In summer 2024, we relaunched our TSCRA Business Partner Member program, offering companies whose values and mission align with ours to be a part of our organization and engage directly with our 28,000+ members. In the six months following the relaunch, new-partner revenue reached $23,450 The program boasts nearly 150 partners and continues to expand.

INSURANCE

In 2024, Cattle Raisers Insurance began partnership discussions with Higginbotham, the largest independent insurance, financial and HR services firm headquartered in Texas. The two industry leaders will deliver unmatched solutions for ranchers, landowners and businesses across the region. This partnership opens the door to expanded resources, industry expertise and growth in insurance opportunities.