The Cattleman - March 2023

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By Jena McRell

By Hannah Scarborough

beyond our gates

UNTOLD STORIES

Back in December, I had a conversation with a Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association member who ranches in far West Texas. He and I were chatting about how his operation has changed over the years, particularly as it related to illegal border crossings.

As he said, the story often falls short.

Media headlines rarely touch the day-to-day challenges felt by landowners navigating excessive property damage, increased liability and threats to personal safety. Consider this issue of The Cattleman an effort to remedy that.

In our feature story, “Border Life,” three producers from different regions of Texas vividly describe the realities they face while ranching and living along the Southwestern border.

While eye-opening, their experiences are not uncommon. For a long time, the scope of these impacts to ranchers and landowners has been unknown.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s border security task force surveyed our members last

fall to learn about their experiences with recent border activity. We share some of the survey findings this month, as well.

While testimonies and data certainly tell an important story, the association is also focused on solutions for border-related issues and other policy topics.

Attendees of the 2023 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo can join sessions that break down these complex issues. Read about what is in store, including keynote speaker Dana Perino, in our convention preview starting on page 22. Online registration closes March 14, but attendees can still register on-site.

We hope to see you in Fort Worth this month! Until then, enjoy the latest issue of The Cattleman T C

Jaclyn Roberts Parrish Executive Director of Communications & Marketing/ Editor-in-Chief, The Cattleman

Published by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

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Cattle Raisers Insurance cattleraisersinsurance.com

Law Enforcement tscra.org, click on Theft & Law

Cattle Raisers Convention cattleraisersconvention.com

ON THE COVER

For cattle raisers and property owners along the Southwest border, the view can be grim. Read the stories of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association members beginning on page 10.

Photo by Mike Barnett

WITH THIS ISSUE

2023 Envu Range & Pasture Management Manual

BORDER LIFE

Voices

from

remote reaches of the nation’s migrant crisis.

By Jena McRell

In the pre-dawn, it was difficult to make out their faces. Around 6:40 a.m., DA Harral stepped into his dark office, coffee in hand, and flipped on the light switch. As his eyes adjusted, the phone rang out. On the other end was his son-in-law, urging him to come quickly.

From the couple’s front window, Harral’s daughter, Kati, spotted movement about 50 yards away. Dark silhouettes and shifting limbs appeared against an otherwise still landscape. Their dogs immediatley sounded an alarm.

“Be careful,” said Harral, rushing out the door. “I’ll be right there.”

Looking up the hill, where the young family lives with their baby daughter, a protective instinct took over. Harral set out in a run, boots slamming against the arid soil. It was dark, and the midNovember air was crisp and cool.

Nothing is more familiar to him than this West Texas ranch near Fort Stockton, home to the family for more than 135 years. And yet, the current environment never ceases to astound him.

Photo by Diane Meyer

CLOSE CALLS

Harral’s heart pounded as he approached the house and noticed shadowy figures gathered on the porch. Two men stood alongside his son-in-law, all visibly shaken.

The rising sun revealed that the unexpected visitors were teenagers around 15 years old. Once he could see they meant no harm, Harral lowered his guard and spoke in their native Spanish.

The young men begged Harral to take them to Fort Worth. He told them he would help, but that assistance was coming by way of law enforcement.

Coincidentally, a helicopter was already en route to Harral’s place before sunrise that morning.

For several days that week, Kati was conducting routine deer counts across their hunting properties, and the pilot was minutes away when the young men first appeared. He kept watch from the sky, later identifying three others in the brush.

When the U.S. Border Patrol agents arrived and began processing the five men, it was a scene Harral says he will not soon forget.

“They were shaking all over, petrified,” he remembers. “After they were cuffed, we handed them some candy bars. They were just kids, starving to death.”

As more of the story unfolded, Harral learned the young men had been involved in a roll-over crash two nights prior. They, along with several others, had each paid $4,000 to be taken across the U.S. border and into Fort Worth.

Sensing his story did not add up and they could be in serious danger, Kati and the pilot left — telling the man to stay there, help would soon be on the way.

The Harrals later learned he was the driver of the car in the accident. Border Patrol agents took him into custody and he was arrested on several active warrants for trafficking people, drugs and firearms into the U.S.

While this experience was among the more extreme to happen on Harral’s property, it is not isolated.

Migrant traffic along the southwest border is at an all-time high. The U.S. Border Patrol reports nearly 2.4 million encounters in fiscal year 2022. An increase of 37% from the year prior, the number represents arrests or expulsions for unlawful entry along the border spanning from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas to El Paso, Arizona and California.

What officials cannot measure is how many migrants enter the country unnoticed. While populations surge at ports of entry and illegal crossings rise, fewer resources are available to protect hundreds of thousands of acres of open range along the border.

People are scared on both sides.”

The crowded vehicle caught the eye of law enforcement and engaged in a high-speed pursuit ending in the wreck. After the accident, three passengers were life-flighted to a nearby hospital. The rest took off on foot, walking nearly eight miles through the vast country, where every piece of vegetation is covered by a protective layer of thorns.

While they did not know it at the time, Kati and the helicopter pilot had encountered a man from the group the day before the teenagers arrived at her doorstep. From the sky, they noticed someone, clearly distressed, signaling for help. So they landed.

Kati says she had an uneasy feeling as soon as they touched the ground. She held tight to a shotgun and raised it up in clear sight, serving as a warning in case there were others hiding in the brush. The pilot spoke with the man, who was injured and delirious. They called the Border Patrol.

The responsibility has shifted to the rancher.

“We are the main eyes and ears for the Border Patrol and Texas Department of Public Safety right now,” Harral says. “We are communicating with them all the time.”

On his ranch and those nearby, evidence of foot traffic is constant. Well-worn paths cut through mesquite trees and brush, around cliffs and deep canyons. Personal items and backpacks are left behind in makeshift camps as illegal crossers migrate north.

In this area of West Texas, Harral says many cross the Rio Grande near the border town of Sanderson, about an hour south of his ranch. After wading or swimming across the river, they often skirt the edges of town — quietly making their way in the darkness.

The majority seek only to reach their destination. But for those who carry with them more than a desire for the American dream, the danger is painfully real.

Private property and rangelands become expressways for drug smugglers, human trafficking and crime. This brings heightened risk not only for landowners, but also for migrants themselves.

“People are scared on both sides,” Harral says. “We haven’t been faced with a situation where you really think you have to pull a trigger to save yourself, but everyone on these ranches is prepared to do that.”

— DA Harral, Fort Stockton

Pictured left is DA Harral, a Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association director from Fort Stockton. The fifth generation to steward the family’s land, he says the current situation mimics the return of the frontier. Threats to property and personal safety are constant companions. Photos by Diane Meyer.

AN UPHILL BATTLE

Roughly 450 miles southeast of Harral’s ranch, the situation intensifies.

Just like his father and grandfather, Burt Bull runs cattle in several counties throughout the Gulf Coast region. In the mid-2000s, he purchased Los Jaboncillos, a historic operation established more than 125 years ago.

In this country, pastures chart far and wide. Endless miles of ancient prairie grass, brush and sand dunes touch the horizon in nearly every direction. A direct route for migrants passes through Los Jaboncillos land, too. Because of this, nearly every aspect of Bull’s business and his family’s personal safety have been tested.

One fall a couple of years ago, Bull and the Los Jaboncillos crew were five days into working cattle in Kenedy County. With pastures typically 10,000 acres or larger, gathering animals here is no easy feat.

When he and the crew arrived before sunrise on the final day, their hearts sank. The pens were empty, and the remaining 200 head were missing.

Bull called a local Border Patrol agent who told them they were in pursuit of 21 illegal crossers, who were believed to have busted the gates and set out across Los Jaboncillos property. From what Bull could tell, the group was headed right toward their camp — where his wife was alone.

The migrants did nothing more than pass through, fortunately, but that type of panic is not easily shaken.

“That’s when I noticed things were getting very serious,” Bull says. “If migrants have a record, then they are likely the ones who get into cars and drive through fences, because they know if they tried claiming asylum, they would be turned around immediately and deported.”

The headquarters for Los Jaboncillos is in Jim Wells County, located on U.S. Highway 281, not far from Falfurrias. South of town, large blimps with advanced camera systems monitor traffic from the sky. The sophisticated technology enables law enforcement to easily identify a vehicle’s license plate from overhead.

Bull says this positioning has decreased foot traffic across his property. But that is not because there are fewer people; migrants now veer east and west instead.

Heightened liability & risk

Burt Bull stands against a highwire fence on his Los Jaboncillos ranch. Strands that have been cut or damaged by vehicle collisions are regular occurrences as unwelcomed traffic moves through the property. In these cases, ranchers are also on the hook for any damage stray livestock might cause. Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is advocating for legislation to ease this burden on landowners. Read more on page 30.

Contrarily, vehicle bailouts on his property have increased. Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Joey Aguilar Jr. says highway pursuits are, unfortunately, a routine part of border life.

“From the minute I turn on the radio, it is nonstop,” Aguilar says. “We average, just in Hidalgo County, about seven to nine chases per day. And that is a slow day.”

Across his district, which spans the entire border region in South Texas, Aguilar estimates nearly 40 daily highway pursuits. Some last a minute or less, others go on for miles and stretch into neighboring counties. In these instances, the chase likely ends in a bailout, where the vehicle crashes and passengers take off on foot.

“For the most part in rural areas, almost every other chase is going to result in a broken fence or damaged property,” says Aguilar, who has 20 years of law enforcement experience. “The tactic right now is to get into the brush and drive as far as they can, so that law enforcement will have a difficult time catching up.”

It is not uncommon for one or two state troopers to be up against 50 to 100 migrants, Aguilar explains.

Recently, semi-trucks and trailers are trending in pursuits. The special ranger says these accidents occur almost weekly, and when they do, the large trucks can destroy vegetation, obliterate water troughs and hit cattle bedded down in the brush.

— Burt Bull, Riviera

Photo by Mike Barnett.

We just want to live our life, to ranch in peace and safety.”

This is a food security threat, as well as a national security issue.”

— Martha Santos, Fort Worth

Top photo: In the hallway of Martha Santos’ new home hangs a collage of black-and-white photos, cherished reminders of the land she loves and the tenacity shown by generations before her. Photo by Hannah Scarborough

Bottom photo: With land along the Rio Grande, the Santos family has experienced extreme levels of unlawful crossings and crime.

Liability is also a major concern when cut or broken fences result in stray animals on busy roadways. If an accident occurs with these livestock, property owners could be held responsible.

“One thing people do not realize is the damage that is being done to our producers and their land,” Aguilar says. “As a producer, at what point do you start to say enough is enough?”

In the past decade, Bull estimates he has lost $300,000 because of migrant crossings. Busted fences and water troughs require repair, and helicopter fees to regroup cattle rack up. He feels the impacts in the herd, as well. Pastures become overstocked, cows become poor and conception rates suffer.

Two pickups have also been stolen off Bull’s property. In one instance, the truck was taken from the ranch’s headquarters office in broad daylight.

Although, the most grim reality came last summer when Bull’s son, Dillard, was checking water troughs and windmills. He came on an unthinkable sight — underneath a mesquite tree, not far from the road, was a dead body.

Likely dehydrated from the oppressive heat, the man was assumed to have been left behind by a group passing through. He lay only 100 yards from an airconditioned cabin that Bull says they keep fully stocked with food and water.

A second body was found soon after.

In the summer months, when temperatures average 95-plus degrees with intense humidity, Bull says it is common to hear of one or two bodies found each day throughout the area. According to Border Patrol data, fiscal year 2022 was the deadliest year on record for migrants crossing into the U.S. unlawfully. More than 850 deaths were reported.

“There’s no way for the rest of the country to understand how vast this problem is, how expensive it is,” Bull says, “or what a horrible humanitarian situation it is.”

UNCERTAINTY & FEAR

The quiet expanse of her family’s ranch near Laredo was once a safe haven for Martha Santos.

Known for their entrepreneurial nature, the Santos family operated businesses on both sides of the border for generations. Along with ranches in the U.S. and Mexico, her great-grandfather owned a packing plant, grocery store, and fur-and-hide shop.

Every level of the supply chain, Santos describes.

When she was younger, visiting Mexico was like running to the local supermarket or mall. Traffic moved freely across the bridge, and in five minutes, they could arrive in Nuevo Laredo.

“It is a unique place to grow up because you have American roots, but you also have that very embedded Mexican, lively culture,” Santos says.

In the early 2000s, she noticed a shift in the environment. Cartel crime was on the rise in Mexico, and it became too risky to travel across. They stopped seeing family or visiting the ranches on the other side of the river.

With each passing year, the situation grew more dire.

“Even in the city, the quality of life has gone down,” says Santos, who graduated from Texas Christian University’s ranch management program before returning to the area to start her career. “Things that only used to happen on the Mexican side are now happening in Laredo — the higher crime, lack of safety.”

Before, the ranch was her escape when pressures felt too strong. A gift of peace and comfort only nature can provide, Santos says.

Now, not even their own private property is safe.

With land right on the Rio Grande, unlawful traffic is extreme. No longer operating in groups of tens or twenty, hundreds of migrants attempt to cross the river at once. One night 300 were caught, Santos says.

Those who make it across without apprehension set out across her ranch on foot.

“The liability issues have made it impossible for us to even fathom running cattle,” Santos says. “It’s become a hot spot for everything — drugs, guns and human trafficking.”

When gathering at a hunting camp, she says they caught five men cutting through a fence. Another time while sitting around a campfire, they heard rustling as a crowd of migrants walked through the brush.

Threats became so high that her family no longer allowed Santos to be alone at the ranch.

“You never know who you are going to come across,” Santos says. “And it is the ranchers, who do not have law enforcement around at all hours, who are coming in contact with some really dangerous people.”

The land she loves was no longer safe; no longer felt like home. Frustrated, she knew it was time for a change.

Finding belongings left behind from illegal foot traffic is common for ranchers along the border. Photo by Diane Meyer.

In fall 2022, Santos moved to Fort Worth to pursue a masters of business administration degree, focused on energy, from Texas Christian University. She hopes to share ranching’s perspective in discussions about greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprint and other emerging topics.

A South Texan at heart, she keeps an active pulse on what is happening and shares her voice on behalf of ranchers living along the border.

THE HARD TRUTH

“If we do not protect our working lands along the border and the people who work those lands, I do not know how long they [ranchers] can keep going. This is a food security threat, as well as a national security issue.”

Already facing the pressures of tight margins, high input costs and population growth, Santos says cattle raisers in the Southwest cannot afford to carry the weight as unlawful border crossings continue. Especially as the younger generation considers a career in ranching.

“We just want to live our life, to ranch in peace and safety,” Bull says. “We are providing a protein source for the world and do not think we should have to be armed to do it.”

T C

The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association engages a border security task force to facilitate conversation, discuss solutions and advocate for change on behalf of border-region ranchers and landowners.

The task force conducted an association membership survey in fall 2022 to gain a better understanding of the impact and reach of the Southwestern border crisis.

Nearly 365 survey respondents shared their perspectives. Of them, 78% said they experience direct impacts from illegal immigration on land they own, lease or manage.

Amarillo

Abilene

How often do you carry a firearm on your property for personal protection?

21%

7% Always Sometimes Never

How would you describe the intensity of the current border situation?

19% 3% <1% 72%

22% 45%

4% 33%

Fort Worth Waco San Antonio

Houston

Beaumont

Corpus Christi Laredo

El Paso

Dallas

A GROWING CHALLENGE

18 | tscra.org March 2023 The Cattleman

In the border security survey offered to Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association members, respondents reported affected property in nearly 95 counties across the state.

COUNTDOWN TO CONVENTION

A preview of can’t-miss events during the Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo.

By Hannah Scarborough

An annual tradition spanning generations, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is eager to welcome a large crowd March 24-26 to Fort Worth for the 2023 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo.

All cattle producers, landowners and rural enthusiasts will find their time well-spent while attending this year’s event. Whether guests have attended for years or this is their first time at convention, the agenda will be packed with opportunities to network, learn and enjoy time in Fort Worth.

“Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo is the largest event in the Southwest for the beef industry,” says Grace Dunham,

executive director of events and partnerships for Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

“We bring together more than 3,500 attendees who share a passion for the livestock industry and have a stake in its future.”

Between the main stage, expo hall, live cattle demonstrations and popular School for Successful Ranching, more than 30 hours of programming are scheduled to educate and entertain.

Read on for 10 must-do events while attending this year’s Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo.

For more than half a century, TCU’s renowned Ranch Management program has given students an edge in agricultural resource success. This unique nine-month intensive program equips graduates with real-world strategies as producers and land stewards in changing times.

Space is limited. Competitive financial aid and scholarship opportunities available. Visit ranch.tcu.edu or call 817-257-7145.

1. ATTEND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS.

2. EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATION.

Young cattle producers join together Friday, March 24, for a panel discussion on the future of the cattle business. Moderator Gilly Riojas will lead the conversation among young ranchers and professionals.

The table turns, as industry veterans join together on stage for a panel on their combined experiences. In this one-hour session long-time cattle raisers and land managers will talk about mistakes they made along the way and advice they would give to their younger selves.

If it is a hot topic in the cattle business today, it will be covered during the School of Successful Ranching. Educational content includes classroom-style workshops and live animal demonstrations, covering everything from directto-consumer beef marketing, legal matters, carbon credits, border security and much more.

“The pressure facing ranchers and landowners from inflationary prices to government regulations are serious,” says Emily Lochner, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association executive director of education and engagement.

“The School for Successful Ranching addresses these industry issues over the course of two days. This year’s school is the best it’s ever been. Whether you are a beginning rancher or you have been in the business for 40 years, you are not going to want to miss these peer-promoted, solution-driven sessions.”

Cattle raisers will want to flag a few sessions in their convention schedule, including the following:

• V iew from The Capitol: Jason Skaggs, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association executive vice president, and Melissa Hamilton, the association’s executive director of government relations, will dive deep into the pressing issues of the current Texas Legislative Session. They will discuss legislation concerning cattle producers, where the association stands on the issues and what is being done to address them. Stay tuned all day Friday, March 24, for sessions breaking down more hot topic issues in Austin and beyond.

• Battling the Border Security Crisis: For ranchers and landowners along the Southwest border, the surge in illegal migrant crossings has been extreme. Along with facing threats to their property and personal safety, cattle raisers are also faced with liability concerns. This session will cover how Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is working toward solutions.

• A sk an Ag Lawyer: One of the most anticipated sessions during Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo, a panel of agricultural attorneys will offer insight into trending legal issues. Bring questions ahead of time and pose them to this experienced group of legal professionals.

After the presentations, participants are invited to an openbar social among like-minded young professionals.

3. BROWSE THE EXHIBIT HALL.

With more than 250 exhibitors, attendees can truly see it all in the trade show during Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo.

Booths containing everything from hats, boots, feed, fencing, equipment, chutes and insurance are eager to display styles, trends and tools of the trade. Snag an Expo Drawing Card and visit booths throughout the hall to be eligible to win prizes valuing $250 from sponsoring vendors.

Be sure to come by the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association branding bar located at the association’s booth. Here, you can customize leather goods with hot irons, creating your own personalized souvenir. While you wait, be sure to chat with the Cattle Raisers Insurance team and browse the Cattle Raisers Trading Co. merchandise.

Also: Make plans to attend the Friday-evening reception in the exhibit hall. From 4-6 p.m. March 24, free drinks and delicious bites, sponsored by John Deere, will have the expo bustling with activity. It is promised to be a great time to mix and mingle with new and old friends alike.

4. SUPPORT THE SPECIAL RANGER FOUNDATION.

While on the expo hall floor, visit the Special Ranger Foundation Silent Auction to place a bid on items benefiting a great cause.

This year’s auction features items such as a Priefert squeeze chute, an engraved Kimber Stainless Pro Carry II 9mm, a Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I 20 gauge, a special ranger guided bull elk hunt in New Mexico, beautiful western jewelry and much more. All proceeds will be directed to the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers. Equipment and training for special rangers are solely funded by the silent auction, members and other monetary gifts.

Text G1338 to (888) 990-9876 to receive a link to sign up on your mobile device. Through your device, you will have access to a digital catalog and place your bids. Bids will also be taken at the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association booth in the expo.

5. WATCH A LIVE DEMONSTRATION.

See the cattle raiser way of life put into action in the live demonstration area of the convention. Each day will feature five different companies in the Chute Out event. Gain up-close experience with each system as manufacturers demonstrate their chute and describe the functionality in detail.

Participants also won’t want to miss the cow dog demonstrations with expert Roy Cox.

6. VISIT THE STUDENT SHOWCASE.

Learn about the latest research from graduate students across Texas and Oklahoma during the Graduate Poster Showcase. Students will present their research Saturday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. near lunch at the Expo Hall.

Be sure to also catch the Youth Photo Contest, featuring images from photographers 5-18 years old, capturing the heart and soul of the cattle industry. Photos will be displayed for viewing by Cattle Raisers Convention attendees, who will have the opportunity to vote for the people’s choice winner of the contest. Submit your pick by noon March 25.

Also: Using the code, STUDENT, when registering for convention will grant students free admission into the 2023 School for Successful Ranching and Expo. Students must present a valid student ID at the registration desk on-site.

7. SHOW YOUR CAMPUS SPIRIT.

Join your alma mater for collegiate receptions March 24-25. Hosted across the street at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, enjoy running into staff and former classmates in the ever-popular networking events. Pro tip: Track down each college on the exhibit hall floor to snag alumni pins.

8. MAKE SENSE OF THE MARKETS.

Cattle markets are anything but predictable, these days especially. Saturday, March 25, hear from CattleFax CEO Randy Blach on the latest cattle market updates. Attendees will learn current and predicted trends for the cattle market, walking away informed with insights to help make decisions that impact their operation.

9. BE INSPIRED.

As in years past, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is honored to present another exceptional keynote speaker, Dana Perino. Perino is a political commentator and journalist, New York Times bestselling author, and former White House Press Secretary to last year’s keynote speaker, President George W. Bush.

10. DUST OFF YOUR DANCING BOOTS.

Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo is not strictly business. Jake Hooker and The Outsiders will lead attendees into a night of great music and dancing. Tickets include a delicious steak dinner sponsored by Farm Credit, as well as access to the Late Night Party, featuring more live music, games and fun.

Online registration for the 2023 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo is open through March 14 at cattleraisersconvention.com. After that, guests are welcome to register on-site at the Fort Worth Convention Center.

“Texas is home to land full of opportunity, something cattle raisers understand,” Dunham says. “Grab your family, business partners and friends, and join us in Fort Worth as we celebrate the industry and our future together.” T C

Hannah Scarborough is a communications intern for Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

EASING THE LIABILITY BURDEN

By Rep. Andrew Murr

As an eighth-generation rancher whose family ranch is located less than 100 miles from the Texas-Mexico Border, I am well acquainted with the inherent risks of the cattle business, and I’ve always understood the importance of proper stewardship.

Like many others, I was raised to know every corner of the property, making rounds often to ensure everything is secured. I was always told when checking fences, you look to the oldest parts of the fence first to ensure it remains standing strong.

Even with this due diligence, bulls inevitably get into fights and are known to knock a fence down from time to time. I’ve been lucky to have attentive neighbors, whose families have been ranching next to mine for just as long as we have, and who are kind enough to call and let me know some of my livestock has gotten out.

While I and other Texans do the responsible thing and take necessary steps to ensure cattle are safe and secured on the ranch, we cannot account for every possibility and are left wondering what happens when an act of God or something completely out of our control takes place.

Far too often, ranchers are now receiving a dreaded phone call; their fences have been cut or driven through by trespassing migrants or human smugglers who have barreled through the property after a pursuit by law enforcement. These pursuits and cut fences have a large impact on ranchers and cattle.

While border ranchers have long observed and been affected by illegal border traffic, never before have the crossings been so rampant and damaging.

Animals can end up in a pasture without water, get hurt attempting to pass through damaged barbed wire, or stray onto roadways — endangering both people and themselves.

Currently, if a vehicle runs into livestock on the roadway, the landowner could be held liable even when the landowner did nothing wrong. This is a tremendous legal risk for cattle producers that must be fixed.

As a rancher, attorney and member of the Texas House of Representatives, I have the plan to do precisely that.

This past November, I filed H.B. 73 to provide liability protection in these instances, in order to better protect our family farms and ranches.

Passing this legislation will be one of my top priorities for the 2023 Texas Legislative Session, but there is a long road ahead. I am working hard to educate fellow legislators on how important it is to protect our state’s cattle producers from unavoidable situations and unnecessary lawsuits.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association leaders and staff have been instrumental in the process, but we need your help, too. Please contact your state representative and senator to express support of H.B. 73 to give ranchers liability protection for situations out of their control.

They must hear directly from you, their constituent, to understand how damaging it could be to the cattle industry and our food supply if we continue to allow ranchers to be sued due to acts of God or someone trespassing and allowing livestock to escape. I hope you will join me in supporting H.B. 73 and helping cattle producers get back to the business of raising our food. T C

Rep. Andrew Murr represents District 53 in the Texas House of Representatives, including Bandera, Crane, Crockett, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Medina, Menard, Pecos, Real, Schleicher, Sutton and Upton counties. He is a proud Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association member.

A crossbreeding program for commercial beef producers

The American Red program is a strategic cross that provides the beef industry with a unique blend of maternal traits, adaptability, growth, hybrid vigor and marbling in a heat-tolerant, red hide.

To learn more or to enroll, please contact Chessie Mitchell, RAAA tag program coordinator, at tags@redangus.org

to

STANDING WITH US

Rep. Brad Buckley was elected in 2018 and is currently serving his third term in the Texas House of Representatives.

A native Texan, Buckley was born and raised in rural Bell County and is a product of Killeen ISD schools. He is a proud Texas Aggie, and received his bachelor’s degree in 1989 and his doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1993. After graduating, he returned to his hometown of Killeen to open a veterinary practice and has been serving his community and their animals ever since.

He and his wife, Susan, live on their ranch near Salado, where they operate a commercial cow-calf operation and raise and train cutting horses.

Buckley is working closely with Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association on legislation to require truth in labeling for the meat industry. While innovation has led to a proliferation of imitation and substitute meat products available to consumers, terms typically used to describe these products are not indicative of what they truly are — cell-cultured food products, and not meat products.

H.B. 1788 would clearly define types of meat, such as a beef, pork and chicken, as well as the term “meat” itself. This clarity and accountability would allow consumers to understand the true origin of their food, and make educated decisions and purchases. Because Texas promotes free enterprise and competition, and because demand exists for both meat and non-meat products, properly defining and labeling of food products is critical.

A proud member of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Buckley has a deep understanding of the issues facing Texas cattle raisers and land owners and continues to be a stalwart advocate for association members. T C

Rep. Brad Buckley

THE GRAZING PLAN

Participate in the upcoming Ranching 101 session hosted March 14.

Land management and sustainable grazing will be the topics of discussion during the next Ranching 101 hosted by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 14.

During the hour-long Zoom webinar, attendees will gain insight into developing a sustainable grazing plan — one rooted in stewardship and functionality for the beef cattle herd — with featured speaker Madeline Milner of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Milner joined NRCS Texas in July 2021 and is currently on the ecological sciences team. She works alongside other state technical discipline leads to provide guidance on grazing land planning to field staff.

Before coming to Texas, Milner served as the area range specialist for NRCS in southern California.

Interested? Scan the QR code to register.

ABOUT RANCHING 101

A monthly webinar series hosted by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s events and education department, Ranching 101 explores fundamental principles of beef cattle production.

Experienced or brand-new cattle raisers will find something of value during these online sessions. Registration is complimentary for any association member. Visit tscra.org to learn more. T C

YOUR BEST SHOT AT BREEDING SUCCESS

More calves in first 20 days*

Multimin® 90 is a one-of-a-kind trace mineral injection that provides timed delivery of key minerals to support reproductive health. Studies demonstrate that improved trace mineral status leads to more calves in the first 20 days of calving through improved pregnancy rates, and helps support semen quality and uterine health. Optimize your breeding ROI with Multimin 90. See corresponding page for prescribing information.

www.multiminusa.com

Madeline Milner USDA NRCS

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

An injectable aqueous supplemental source of zinc, manganese, selenium, and copper

Slight local reaction may occur for about 30 seconds after injection. A slight swelling may be observed at injection site for a few days after administration. Use standard aseptic procedures during administration of injections to reduce the risk of injection site abscesses or lesions.

WITHDRAWAL PERIOD:

Meat 14 days. Milk zero withdrawal.

DIRECTIONS:

This product is only for use in cattle.

MULTIMIN® 90 s to be given subcutaneously (under the skin) ONLY.

It is recommended to administer the product in accordance with Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines.

Minimum distance between injection sites for the MULTIMIN® 90product and other injection sites should be at least 4 inches.

Inject under the loose skin of the middle of the side of the neck. Max volume per injection site is 7 ml.

Subcutaneous injection in middle of side of neck.

StoreBetween15°Cand30°C (59°Fand86°F).

4 weeks before breeding 4 weeks before calving

4

3 times per year (program gives planned dates that can be varied to suit management programs)

NDC No. 49920-006-01 NDC No. 49920-006-05

MANUFACTURED FOR:

INDUSTRY BRIEFS

TSCRA REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED TO CATTLEMEN’S BEEF PROMOTION & RESEARCH BOARD

On Jan. 27, USDA announced the appointment of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association representatives Seth Denbow and Claudia Wright as members of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.

Denbow, of Weatherford, and Wright, of Richmond, will serve a three-year term providing oversight to 22 boards advancing development of new markets, strengthening existing markets, and conducting important research and promotion activities across the beef industry.

Denbow and Wright join previously elected Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association representative April Bonds, of Saginaw, who is in her second-year term on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.

The board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 and is composed of 101 members representing 34 states and five units. Members must be beef producers or importers of beef and beef products nominated by certified producer organizations.

NEW DIRECTOR FOR TEXAS A&M CENTER FOR GRAZINGLANDS & RANCH MANAGEMENT

As land management challenges evolve, so too must the tools and critical resources Texas A&M AgriLife provides land managers and producers.

With more than two decades of nationally recognized rangeland conservation and outreach experience, Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D., has been tasked with facilitating this mission as director of the Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management.

The center is housed within the department of rangeland, wildlife and fisheries management in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

With support from Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the center is part of a Texas A&M University System-wide effort to safeguard the ecologic and economic resiliency of grazing land resources and ranching operations.

Roel Lopez, Ph.D., department head, said Goodwin’s appointment is part of a deliberate revitalization of the center and the Center for Natural Resources Information Technology to better serve producers across Texas and beyond.

Goodwin, who earned a doctoral degree in rangeland and wildlife science from Texas A&M UniversityKingsville, said he is focused on providing producers solutions to real-world problems.

He previously worked with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service throughout Texas, eventually holding the position of state range specialist. Following his tenure with the agency, Goodwin joined the Noble Research Institute, located in Ardmore, Oklahoma, as conservation stewardship lead and senior rangeland and pasture consultant.

AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION PARTNERS WITH IMI GLOBAL

Two leading third-party verification companies, IMI Global and the American Angus Association’s AngusLink, have joined forces to create an improved experience for cattle producers, while offering more value-added opportunities.

Through this new relationship, IMI Global will be providing the verification services for the USDA process verified program for IMI Global and AngusLink customers. The collaboration makes it easier and more efficient for producers to access an extensive suite of verification programs and the feeder cattle industry’s genetic merit evaluation tool in one enrollment.

“With tightening margins, the need for producers to differentiate their cattle and create market access with flexibility is key. At the same time, the value of superior genetics has never been greater,” said Mark McCully, association CEO. “These two market drivers are creating tremendous opportunities for producers to describe and verify their cattle.”

Now available to IMI customers, the AngusLink Genetic Merit Scorecard allows producers to communicate the feeder calf genetic potential to buyers using three scores: beef, feedlot and grid.

Jeff Goodwin

Seth Denbow

Claudia Wright

g Rocking Rocking R R Chair Ranch Chair Ranch

The scores are calculated based on the association’s extensive genetic database with more than 80 million datapoints.

In addition, AngusLink customers will also have access to IMI’s new sustainability standard, CARE Certified, which encompasses animal care, environmental stewardship, people and community; all of growing importance in today’s marketplace. Other available process verified program claims include AngusVerified, source, age, non-hormone treated cattle, verified natural beef and more.

IMI Global, a division of Where Food Comes From Inc., is the market leader in third-party verification services enrolling over 1.25 million cattle annually in various verification programs.

Hereford bulls for Sale by Private treaty and select consignment sales

Raising Registered Herefords since 1965 .

We pride ourselves with the intense selection pressure, we put on our cow herd. Fertility, sound udders, and structural correctness are the cornerstones.

Come select a bull to build your F-1 females

Be on the lookout mid-April when we open a new pen of yearling bulls!

Loyd Whitehead, Owner

Randy Wood (325) 396-5526

Ft. McKavett, TX 76841 (call for directions) www.therockingchairranch.com

FIBERMAX CENTER RECEIVES $2.6 MILLION GIFT

The FiberMax Center for Discovery, a nonprofit agricultural history and education center in Lubbock, has announced gifts totaling $2.6 million from Craig and Ann McDonald, Joe and Christy Hurst, and Terry and Sheri Hurst in support of AgWorks, an agricultural literacy wing at the center.

The combined gift is the final funding the center needs to break ground in 2023 and start construction on a $6.4 million, hands-on gallery aimed at students through grade four that will inform visitors of where food and fiber originate — and connect visitors back to farmers and ranchers.

Exhibits will include an irrigation water table, crop cycles, a large animal vet clinic, a stable, and a grocery store. Once complete, the 5,000-square-foot gallery also will include information about careers in agriculture, a Cotton Heritage Center, a rotating exhibit gallery and archives.

TEXAS A&M FOREST SERVICE AWARDS GRANTS TO OFFSET PRESCRIBED BURNING COSTS

Texas A&M Forest Service has awarded $522,162 in grants to Texas landowners for the treatment of more than 18,000 acres with prescribed burning.

Photo courtesy of Visit Lubbock

Prescribed burning is an effective land management tool to reduce wildfire risk, improve wildlife habitat and promote a healthy forest ecosystem. The practice eliminates brush, weeds, dried vegetation and downed trees and also fosters seed and plant regeneration, reduces invasive plants and restores soil nutrients.

Through four programs targeting different priorities across the state, Texas A&M Forest Service awarded 84 grants for a total of 18,175 acres. More than 300 applications were scored on a competitive basis to select the best use of the funding.

Weldon Dent, Texas A&M Forest Service Fuels Specialist, said the grant programs provide landowners with an opportunity to remove hazardous fuels from their property in a safe and controlled manner.

“Unmanaged vegetation can fuel wildfires,” Dent said. “Prescribed burning is one way to reduce the risk of large-scale fires while maximizing the benefits of small-scale fires.”

Texas A&M Forest Service administers various prescribed fire grant programs. Each program has its own goals, with at least one program available in every county in Texas. The grants will reimburse landowners to offset the cost of having a prescribed burn conducted on their property by a certified and insured prescribed burn manager. T C

-G

Nematodirus (shown here), also known as the thread-necked intestinal worm, is an unsightly parasite that causes infections marked by diarrhea and loss of appetite − both of which open the door for other internal parasites to cause even more damage.

Choose Safe-Guard® (fenbendazole) when you deworm to take out more profit-eating parasites.

SAFE-GUARD is proven to kill 98.7% of worms, remaining powerful and effective, even in the face of parasite resistance.1 Choosing two dewormers from two different classes (like SAFE-GUARD + ivermectin) can help ensure you’re getting the toughest parasites – and helping slow the growing issue of parasite resistance.

BITE BACK AT KILLMOREWORMS.COM

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION | RESIDUE WARNINGS: SAFE-GUARD Paste and Suspension: cattle must not be slaughtered within 8 days following last treatment; Mineral and medicated feed products: 13 days; EN-PRO-AL Molasses Block: 11 days; Protein Block: 16 days; For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is zero hours. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. For complete information, refer to the product label.

MAHCattle.com • 800-521-5767

© 2022 Intervet Inc., doing business as Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. US-SFG-200400001

1Reinhardt CD, et al. A fenbendazole oral drench in addition to an ivermectin pour-on reduces parasite burden and improves feedlot and carcass performance of finishing heifers compared with endectocides alone. J Anim Sci. 2006;84(8):2243-50.

OBITUARIES

CHARLES D. SCHMIDT, 93, of Fredericksburg, died Dec. 16.

During World War II, Schmidt enrolled in the Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio in fall 1944.

He graduated a year later and enrolled in then-called Texas A&M College, majoring in animal husbandry and learning military science as part of the Corps. During his senior year of college, he was second in command of Air Force Battalion B Flight and graduated in spring 1949, just before his 20th birthday.

He married Peggy Lou Parker Oct. 3, 1953, and in February 1954, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He and Peggy finished his military service in Germany.

Schmidt retired from a career with USDA in 1989. Through the years, he worked full-time while also managing the family’s ranch. A Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association member for many years, Schmidt enjoyed finding new ways to manage the ranch and raise beef cattle.

He is survived by his children, Chuck (Teppi) Schmidt and Patricia (Lonnie) Marquardt; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Davene Jonas; and several other relatives and friends.

CHRISTOPHER RYAN WILSHIRE, 33, of Fort Worth, died Oct.

21.

Wilshire developed a passion for the outdoors at an early age and was an avid hunter, fisherman and cattle rancher. He established Rockin’ W Cattle Co. LLC at the age of 14 and spent the rest of his life raising cattle.

Wilshire attended Calvary Christian Academy, where he met his wife, Tayla Cox, and graduated from there in 2007. He also graduated from Texas Christian University in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in communications.

Raised in and around the family business, Wilshire Consultants Inc., he became a registered representative and financial advisor with Avantax Financial Services, formerly HD Vest, and joined the family business fulltime as president in 2009.

Wilshire obtained the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America in 2007, the same year he was awarded the TCU Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year award by Texas Christian University and Gov. Rick Perry.

He was a member of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, American Quarter Horse Association, and the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

Wilshire is survived by his wife, Tayla; parents, Rick and Helen Wilshire; and many other loving relatives. T C

©2023 Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, REALTORS ® All rights reserved. Each office independently owned and operated. An Equal Housing Opportunity Company.

I start cattle for a living, I’m not a mechanic, I’m not a computer scientist, I have been really really good at one thing in my life…startin’ cattle. ENDOVAC-Beef has been a Game Changer for me. If you are not vaccinating, you should be!

You know, I don’t work for ENDOVAC-Beef, if it didn’t work I would tell you don’t use it, you are wasting your money…It Works! Every one I save, or every one I don’t have to doctor is better for my cattle and the bottom line.

I did my own trial, and I will just tell you the honest truth, I started 900 head for a feed yard in Nebraska. They were keeping the steers and I was keeping the heifers. I used ENDOVAC-Beef on 100% of those steers. On their sisters, that I kept and grazed, I did not give ENDOVAC-Beef…Night and Day Difference. I had a wreck on my heifers, with bad eyes. On the steers we had hardly any. It’s called the learning curve…

I learned I wanted to use ENDOVAC-Beef on all of them now.

I run a good sized cow-calf operation in addition to starting cattle. 100% of my cattle get ENDOVAC-Beef. Since using ENDOVAC we don’t have to treat as many cattle for respiratory, or even other common problems like pinkeye and foot rot. I am getting my Pasteurella and the stimulant that makes the vaccine work better with ENDOVAC-Beef. If everybody knew what I knew, everyone would be using it.

Brad Haun, Haun Ranch

DISTRICT 1 — TEXAS PANHANDLE

Bulls missing near Masterson.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Chris Ward reports three mature black Angus bulls missing in Potter County. The bulls are branded with CF bar (the bar is under the CF) on the left hip. They were last seen in May.

Trailer and tack stolen in Amarillo.

Ward also reports a brown Piland cutting saddle, a brown ranch cutter saddle and a white 1999 D&D three horse slant trailer stolen from the parking lot behind Will Rogers Range Riders. The trailer has a tack room and a Texas license plate with the tag No. FFP-V28. The trailer and tack were stolen Jan. 9. Anyone with information on these cases is urged to contact Ward at 806-205-0119.

DISTRICT 10 — CENTRAL TEXAS

Trailer stolen near Crowley.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Robert Pemberton reports a black 32foot, triple axle Big Bend trailer missing. The trailer was last seen Dec. 12 near Crowley off County Road 1015. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Pemberton at 903-450-3900.

DISTRICT 11 — NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS

Heifers missing in Grayson County.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Brad Oliver reports 25 bred Brangus heifers

missing from a pasture off Precinct Line Road, north of FM 902 in an unincorporated area of Grayson County. The heifers weigh approximately 800-900 pounds and have 5W branded on the left hip, as well as ear tags with the owner’s contact information. The cattle were last seen early December 2022. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Oliver at 903-328-8023.

DISTRICT 14 — EAST TEXAS

Equipment stolen near Crockett.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger Darrel Bobbitt reports a 2022 New Holland

Workmaster tractor and front-end loader with a hay spear missing. Last seen Dec. 15, the tractor and loader were stolen with 18 round hay bales. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Bobbitt at 936-222-2144.

DISTRICT 25 — SOUTHEAST TEXAS

Heifer missing near Kingsbury.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Robert Fields reports a two-year-old, heavy-bred black Brangus heifer missing. Last seen Nov. 23, the heifer has a red ear tag with No. 1006 and the name Hardman on it. She is also branded with 2J and a 0 on the left hip. It is believed she got out of the property along the Guadalupe River and walked down the river bank. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Fields at 361-207-5207.

DISTRICT 26 — CENTRAL TEXAS

Dorper sheep missing in Gillespie County.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Todd Jennings reports 23 white Dorper sheep missing. The sheep have an over-bit notch in the right ear and green or red tags in the left ear. The sheep were last seen Dec. 1 in Gillespie County near Doss off Ranch Road 783. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Jennings at 830-997-7587. T C

TSCRA offers a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and/or grand jury indictment of individuals for theft of livestock or related property. Anonymity is guaranteed. To provide information, call the Operation Cow Thief tip line at 817-916-1775

In key locations across Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, Helena has branches staffed with people who can provide landowners, ranchers and wildlife enthusiasts with all their management needs.

For more information, contact your local Helena representative or visit HelenaAgri.com.

GRIMES COUNTY WOMAN ARRESTED ON FELONY CHARGES

Shelley McCoy was arrested after allegedly killing several of her neighbor’s cattle.

A Grimes County woman was arrested on third degree felony charges of criminal mischief for shooting and killing livestock. The accused, 45-year-old Shelly McCoy, was arrested after an investigation led by Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office.

The arrest comes after TSCRA Special Ranger Brent Mast and the local sheriff’s office were called onto the scene to discover numerous cattle had been shot and killed since September 2022.

After Mast and the Grimes County investigators interviewed McCoy, the rancher’s neighbor, they began looking more closely at her and considered her a person of interest.

An arrest warrant was obtained Jan. 10, and McCoy was taken into custody by the Grimes County Sheriff’s Office where she was charged with one count of criminal mischief. This is an ongoing investigation, and more felony charges are expected.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and Mast would like to thank Grimes County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Jones and Investigator Nic Malmstrom for their outstanding work and joint effort in this investigation. T C

Brent Mast Special Ranger, District 12

Q A&

LASTING WISDOM

Featuring TSCRA Past President, Jimmie Powell

By Sarah Hill

Q: TELL US ABOUT MEMORIES WORKING CATTLE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG.

A: When the war came on, all of the men 35 and under were drafted, except for the foremen of places that were a certain size. So, my dad had me riding when I was about 5 years old. By 1941, I was 11, and I started taking the place of those cowboys, learning to rope and ride horses. I had to do that because Dad needed it. That’s how I learned to work cattle.

We had a pasture where we would round up 300 head of calves and sell them. We shipped them to Fort Worth on the rail. The rail was in the northeast corner of the ranch at Big Lake. One time, we had rounded up those calves and there were about 290 head. We were driving them up the fence. The railroad was across the road from the fence, about 75 feet away. This locomotive came by, and the driver thought it’d be fun to honk at those calves with his whistle, and he did. Those calves scattered. Dad said, “Doggone! If I could catch that railroad guy, I’d sure give him a talking to.” We had five horses out there, and it took all five of us the rest of the day to round those calves up.

We were ranching three properties at the time, moving from one to another. When we needed extra help, my father would go to the high schools and try to find seniors, if possible, who had saddles, and he’d supply horses. We had a big time working livestock; sometimes, we had more fun than we should.

Q: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE HAD TO OVERCOME IN YOUR RANCHING CAREER?

A: The biggest challenge we had, dealing with livestock, was to get up at daylight and observe all of the cattle and sheep to see if they had screwworms.

We had a lot of screwworms, and you had to doctor the animals for them. If you let them go more than five days, they almost got to the point where they couldn’t recover. In my early years, we were working every daylight hour to eliminate screwworms as rapidly as we could. I estimate we were losing somewhere between 5-6% of our livestock from screwworms. If you got a bad case and the animal lived, the most effective thing you could do is sell it, because the animal won’t reproduce for another year or so until they get their health back.

Screwworms were eliminated by two scientists who discovered how to sterilize the screwworm females. When ranchers got a screwworm case, the government would fly a box over the area that had sterile screwworms. The sterile males would mate with the female indigenous flies, and they would lay sterile eggs. That eliminated the screwworms in 1962 or 1963.

Q: WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE TO KEEP RANCHING FOR THE NEXT CENTURY? WHAT DO RANCHERS NEED TO KEEP IN MIND?

A: They’ve got to be able to keep a market up. Expenses are constantly going up, and you have got to keep the livestock making the same increases as your expense accounts. One of the biggest problems I see for the ranching business is the estate tax. The family ends up paying two taxes on one acre of land, and that’s very unfair, in my opinion. I’ve been on bank boards and have seen ranchers have to sell and the families have to sell the property to pay the estate tax. That’s just unfortunate.

Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER STORIES FROM YOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE?

A: When I was 10-11 years old, one of the ranch hands went to World War II, so I rode horses that had been broken. One of them was a little Shetland. It was easy for

This story is based on TSCRA Talk, a podcast by Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, hosted by Kristen Brown. This episode features Jimmie Powell, 92, of Fort McKavett, who is still involved in the family’s Powell Ranches. The information has been edited for clarity.

me to get in the stirrups and get on him. He liked to lope and run, but he was so short-legged, he couldn’t keep up with the other horses.

We were raising young colts and broke four or five every year. When a colt is 18 months old, you would harness him or put a bridle on him. Later, you put a saddle on him and get on. Sometimes, they’d pitch and sometimes they don’t. I was lucky enough to be able to slip those gentler young horses into my riding group and I’d ride them. It wasn’t often that I’d have to ride one pitching, but that would happen.

I enjoyed training those young horses. You just have to be very calm with them. You can’t get excited or aggravated, because in a natural sense, they want to do what you’d like for them to do. In our business, I never had more than two horses, but some of the cowboys would have three or four. If they trained the horses well enough, somebody came along and wanted to buy them. Dad usually awarded the trainer half of the sale price, which was an incentive for those boys to do a good job. I think it was a good practice.

Q: TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INVOLVED IN ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE TEXAS & SOUTHWESTERN CATTLE RAISERS ASSOCIATION.

A: It’s very important because Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s major interest is in seeing that the government doesn’t pass laws that are destructive to agriculture. You have to have an organization that has the people available to determine if each bill should be supported or not. I think agriculture is becoming more effective as a result of national organizations that do a good job for cattle people.

To listen to more of the conversation with Powell, download TSCRA Talk via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. T C

Jordan Cattle Auction…

Special

WEEKLY SALES HELD AT 11:00 a.m.

Monday – Mason

Thursday – San Saba

Thursday,March18@10:00a.m.–SanSaba

ConsignmentsWelcome!

Spring

Saturday,April15@10:00a.m.–SanSaba

Offeringqualitypair,bredcows,bredheifers,andopenor exposedheifers.Don’tmissyouropportunitytobuysome ofthebestfemalesinthecountry!Thesellerandbuyerof thetop-sellingfemalesineachoftheclasseswillreceive atrophy.Allcattlewillbefiveyearsofageoryounger!

ConsignmentsWelcome!

Inconjunctionwithourregularsale. Bullswillsellat10a.m.Bullswillbefertilitytested, meettrichrequirements,andreadytogotowork.

Thursday,March2@10:00a.m.–SanSaba Cattleman’sKind–58Simmental&SimAngusBulls

Thursday,March23@10:00a.m.–SanSaba KnoxBrothersBullsSale–Hereford&AngusBulls

Thursday,April6@10:00a.m.–SanSaba BooksareClosed!

Formoreinfoonabove salesoronlineviewing andbidding,pleasecall orvisitourwebsite.

Sarah Hill is a freelance writer based near Brookings, South Dakota.

WHO WILL TAKE OVER THE RANCH?

Protect the legacy of the land through succession planning.

By Katie Miller

Photos by Rob Mattson, Noble Research Institute

As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.” And most ranchers do not like to discuss either. But having a ranch succession plan in place can ensure the future of your land and legacy when you’re no longer at the helm.

While estate planning is what makes sure assets are passed on to the desired recipients, succession planning is the road map to transitioning a business to the next generation, according to Dan Childs, Noble Research Institute senior agricultural consultant.

And as Jason Bradley, agricultural economics consultant for the institute, notes, succession planning is especially vital to the legacy regenerative ranchers hope to leave.

“I think of the story of the old man who plants trees knowing he will never sit in the shade of those trees,” Bradley says. “Ranchers want to better the land so they can pass on something that they helped rebuild and rejuvenate.”

When it comes to ranch succession planning, often the biggest mistake people make is waiting until it is too late. So, Childs and Bradley offer seven things to consider now to delve into succession planning to help cement your legacy.

1. BE WILLING TO THINK ABOUT LEGACY

Childs sees more ranchers procrastinate when it comes to thinking about succession plans than with any other task. Yet, it is an essential exercise for ranch owners.

“What is the legacy ranchers want to leave behind?” asks Childs. “Decisions made and correctly documented will minimize and hopefully eliminate any potential conflict by the heirs. Generally, it is the desire to bless the heirs rather than burden them.”

Without such plans, Childs has seen families and ranches splintered. The first step toward creating a plan is to consider what you want your ranch’s legacy to be.

While Bradley and Childs wish they could provide more concrete answers, succession planning is hardly a one-size-fits-all process; it is an individual exercise. The ranch’s future hinges on your vision and ability to plan.

2. HAVE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS

Once you have outlined your vision for the ranch’s future, it is time to have some hard conversations. As Bradley notes, ranchers are notoriously private, yet communication is key during succession planning. Topics like personal finances need to be on the table — but not the family table.

“The dining room table isn’t the best place to have these meetings,” Bradley says.

Childs adds these aren’t conversations to have over the holidays, either. Succession-planning conversations are best held in a neutral location, often off-site, with a team of succession-planning professionals to moderate.

“When you get started, you’re going to have some hard conversations,” Bradley says. “It’s not an easy conversation to have; having someone there who is experienced can help navigate these types of conversations.”

Topics such as equal versus equitable shares of the family business can be challenging to have with on-farm and off-farm heirs. Yet, they’re invaluable to the future of the ranch. And topics as straightforward as “Who is next in line?” should not be overlooked.

“You have to have a conversation about it,” Childs says. “Who is interested? Who wants to do it?”

3. IDENTIFY THE SUCCESSOR

Identifying a successor is one of the first steps of ranch succession planning, Childs says.

Often, ranchers hope to pass the business on to a family member, but that is not always the best solution or even possible. If no heirs are interested, then succession might mean transferring the ranching

business to someone down the road with a similar management mindset.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a family member,” Childs says.

Once the successor is identified, Bradley reminds cattle raisers to have a formal transition plan in place to help the chosen successor learn the business and gradually take over ownership and responsibility, rather than suddenly being handed the reins of a ranch they don’t know how to manage.

He saw a great example on a trip abroad.

There, a farmer and his son had a clear succession timeline. Although the son had always worked on the family’s operation, the succession plan clearly outlined

Ranching

a timeline during which his interest in and decisionmaking on the farm increased.

As the son gained more responsibility and began to manage different parts of the farm, he gained a greater understanding of the business. The succession plan culminated in a retirement party for the father, which symbolized the son’s official ownership of his new role and a successful transition of power to the farm’s employees.

4. DELVE INTO BUSINESS PROFITABILITY

Nearly as important as identifying the successor is ensuring the business can financially support the next generation. Ranch owners must be transparent with their heirs regarding the business’s profitability and liabilities before the transition.

“In this profitability exercise, determine the size of the estate tax obligations on the estate,” Childs says. “If we are surprised by a sizable estate tax obligation, that could jeopardize the financial success of the operation.”

Since most agricultural businesses have more assets than cash, they can become more vulnerable to estate tax obligations.

5. ASSEMBLE A KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM

Agricultural succession professionals can help business owners facilitate hard conversations and assist in

understanding laws, tax obligations and financial concerns. Such a team may include certified public accountants, bank officials, attorneys and management consultants.

But, as Childs reminds, ensure the team is competent in agricultural business, as farms and ranches often have unique circumstances.

6. REVISIT PLANS

Creating a ranch succession plan does not mean you are finished. Childs recommends revisiting the plan after tax and estate law changes or when the owners, heirs or successors experience life events, such as: births, deaths, marriages, health events, acquisition of new property or sale of significant ranch assets.

Beyond this, Bradley suggests revisiting the plan every three years even if there are no life events.

7. START NOW

Ultimately, Childs and Bradley want to emphasize there is no time like the present to begin this process.

“Know the size of your estate, and start developing a succession plan today,” Childs says. T C

Katie Miller is a freelance writer residing in Lebanon, Indiana. She authored this story on behalf of Noble Research Institute.

WHAT PLANT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH?

By Kent Ferguson

Photo by Peggy Romfh, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Abranched shrub, Indigo-bush amorpha can be found growing along rivers, creeks and other riparian areas throughout the state. Also known as False Indigo, the plant:

• Varies in size from 3 to 15 feet tall, and has grayto-brown bark that sometimes has hairs.

• Has odd-pinnately compound leaves, 3 to 10 inches long, with around 9 to 27 leaflets ranging from oval, elliptic or oblong, sometimes with pointed or rounded tips.

• Has individual leaves ranging from 5/8 inch to 1.5 inches long. The leaf’s upper surface is dull green and smooth, while the lower side is more pale and could have fine hair.

• Produces flowers on erect spikes, 3 to 6 inches long, often in clusters of two or more. With a

single petal per flower, they are often dark blue to red in color.

• Produces a legume-type seed pod, 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, containing 1 to 2 small brown, shiny seeds, about 1/8 inch long, which are oblong and curved on one end.

Indigo-bush amorpha is fair browse for whitetailed deer and can be overutilized if populations are not controlled.

Cattle have been known to browse the plant, but on occasion, poisonous issues have been reported. It is most noted as an important plant for stabilization along rocky, calcareous streambanks. T C

Kent Ferguson, a retired rangeland management specialist from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, provides plant identification photo stories to help ranchers.

Indigo-bush amorpha (Amorpha fruticosa)

Ranching F

BQA TIP: ROTATIONAL GRAZING

or most cattle operations, incorporating a rotational grazing plan can be beneficial.

In a rotational system, cattle are kept out of certain fields that will instead be cut for hay, set aside to grow stockpiled forage for fall grazing, overseeded with cool season annual forages, or be given

time to rest for highly palatable forages to grow and reproduce.

It’s important to realize rotational grazing is not a magic bullet. Many inaccurate claims are made about productivity increases. The best strategy is to keep it simple; splitting a property into three to five pastures works well in many situations. T C

Photo by Jerod Foster

Beyond Our Gates

ON THE RANCH

Now more than ever, consumers rely on the advice and recommendations of nutrition and health professionals. Registered dietitians and healthcare professionals are the most trusted sources for nutrition and healthy eating information, and 77% of global consumers say the advice of dietitians and nutritionists impacts which foods they buy.

This core audience has the power to significantly advocate for beef and increase consumers’ confidence in its role in a healthy lifestyle. To connect and engage with this audience, Texas Beef Council is investing in experiences that leave an impact on their thoughts and perceptions about beef.

In November, one such event welcomed 15 credentialed nutrition and health professionals to the ranch and Texas Beef Council office for an immersive pasture-to-plate experience.

Hosted at Langford Cattle Co. in Lockhart, the ranch experience was designed to be exclusive so attendees could be hands-on and conversational with presenters.

During the event, attendees learned from Bodey Langford, a fourth-generation cattle rancher and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association member, about the day-to-day happenings at his family’s registered Angus seedstock operation and how he raises his cattle with sustainability, stewardship for the land and animal welfare at the forefront. Attendees also mastered all of the different beef cuts, cooked various beef recipes and heard from other nutrition professionals and sustainability researchers.

“This program took a group of dietitians from the ranch to the plate and beyond,” said Hannah Fuerniss, Texas Beef Council’s nutrition and health manager. “What was most exciting for me was seeing attendees’ desire to jump in and learn at each stage, from curiosity about beef production methods to putting new culinary skills and recipes to use.”

This experience was the first immersion event Texas Beef Council hosted for this audience since the pandemic. These efforts are a top priority, since ensuring beef is included in dietary recommendations for a healthy lifestyle is a cornerstone of the council’s long range plan.

“Outreach to health and nutrition professionals is critical, because we know that these experts are providing dietary recommendations to consumers on a daily basis,” Fuerniss said. “We aim to serve as a credible and reliable source of beef information in a world where misinformation is unfortunately widespread. We believe in-person engagements like on-the-ranch experiences allow for a unique combination of trust-building, traditional education and experiential learning, not to mention memorable meals.”

Following the event, attendees participated in a survey to share feedback on their perception of beef, how cattle are raised and how confident they are discussing beef with their patients. The majority of responses showed that attendees have high regard for how cattle are raised, and more than 92% shared they are self-assured in their abilities to discuss beef with their patients and clients.

Texas Beef Council hosts pasture-to-plate event for nutrition and health professionals.

A group of 15 professionals visited Langford Cattle Co. during an immersive Texas Beef Council event in November.

“We were pleased to see positive feedback about every activity and presentation as part of the post-event feedback, which indicated to us that the time these dietitians spent with us was a valuable investment from their perspective and ours,” Fuerniss said.

Looking to the future and the rest of 2023, Texas Beef Council will be executing multiple efforts with themes that are a top priority for health professionals, like healthy, sustainable dietary patterns, as well as beef’s role in meeting nutrient needs in the early years of life. Texas Beef Council will also expand messaging to address other life stages where beef can help fill critical nutrient gaps, as well as increase strength.

Whether connecting through authentic immersion experiences, in-person medical conferences or digital outreach, Texas Beef Council will continue reaching nutrition and health professionals with beef messaging rooted in research-driven, sound science.

Story and photos courtesy of Texas Beef Council

Shelby Trailer Service, LLC manufactures products from 100% recycled tire rubber and plastics. Shelby offers many styles of flooring for all your trailers; horse, livestock, equipment, and truck beds. Options are Shelby original cross lug livestock board, 2”x8”, tongue

groove traction board 1.5”x 7” and 2”x8” plank traction board, all in lengths up to 24’ long.

Bodey Langford, a Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association member, leads the group of nutrition and health professionals around the ranch.

A VOICE FOR LANDOWNERS

TSCRA Director John Greer says property rights are core to being Texan.

By Sarah Harris

John Greer’s family has ranched in Texas for eight generations — the first settling in Nacogdoches County when it was still part of Mexico. The land remains in the family today, primarily as a timber operation. Their main ranch is in Clay County and has been a cow-calf business, passed down through the generations, since the 1870s.

“We are proud Texans,” Greer says. “Agriculture, cattle and Texas history have been core to my family’s existence for a very long time.”

His ancestors include a defender of the Alamo, who died there; an initial escapee, who was recaptured and executed at Goliad with Col. Fannin; and several early Texas Rangers serving under General Tarrant and Capt. Denton.

“My girls get tired of hearing it,” Greer says with a laugh.

The family shifted from a predominantly Hereford herd to Angus-based cattle in the late ‘70s into the ‘80s. Greer’s parents and sister still reside in Henrietta and are intimately involved in all aspects of the ranch.

While the family joined Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association several decades ago, Greer says as he got older, he realized it was important for him to be more involved within the organization. He quickly found his way to the property rights and tax committee, as he says he believes private property rights are core to Texans and their way of life.

“I look at what my family and other families fight in terms of keeping an operating ranch in the family and hopefully profitable,” Greer says.

“TSCRA provides us a platform and access to the world, our elected officials, and an opportunity to put up the best fight that we can, whether it be water rights, eminent domain or simply how we care for our cattle.

TSCRA amplifies our individual voices to be heard as a greater force in Austin.”

In addition to helping manage the family ranches, Greer is the founder and managing partner of Matador Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in Dallas.

Before founding Matador, he was appointed to serve in the George H.W. Bush Administration as the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s director of financial sector reforms for East Europe and the former Soviet Union.

After the fall of the Berlin Wall, he ran a multi-billion-dollar financial sector reform and privatization effort with more than 550 individuals stationed in 16 countries. Additionally, he served as a special assistant to the Assistant Secretaries of International Affairs and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

With this experience, Greer gained a different perspective on private property rights.

“When we looked at a lot of things we were doing in East Europe, a big push of mine was to enable private property ownership, which was a concept foreign to most of these countries,” Greer says. “The ones who embraced it, American-style, are the ones thriving to this day, and you could follow that pattern through history throughout the rest of the world. Private property ownership and the right to do what you want with your land is paramount to a successful society.”

He and his wife, Lauren, reside in Dallas, having lived there since 1993. But Greer says he has never called the city his home: “Home is Clay County and I can be horseback on our ranch in two hours anytime I want.” T C

Sarah Harris

who splits her time between Austin and her family’s ranch near Tilden.

Pictured here with his wife, Lauren, John Greer says the family’s Clay County ranch is always where he calls home.

ARTHUR G. UHL 111 President

4040 Broadway St., Ste. 430 San Antonio, Texas 78209

PAST PRESIDENTS

John M. “Jack” Shelton III Amarillo, 1984-1986

James L. Powell San Angelo, 1988-1990

Tom Beard Alpine, 1994-1995

C. Coney Burgess Amarillo, 1997-1999

J. Mark McLaughlin San Angelo, 1999-2001

John E. Dudley Comanche, 2001-2003

Bob McCan Victoria, 2003-2005

C.R. “Dick” Sherron Beaumont, 2005-2007

Jon Means Van Horn, 2007-2009

Dave Scott Richmond, 2009-2011

Joe J. Parker Byers, 2011-2013

REGION 1 DIRECTORS

Joe M. “Jody” Bellah, Throckmorton

Blake Birdwell, Canyon

E. S. F. “Swasey” Brainard II, Pampa

J. K. “Rooter” Brite Jr., Bowie

Donnell Brown, Throckmorton

Campbell Burgess, Amarillo

J. D. Cage, Muleshoe

Deborah Clark, Henrietta

Lynn Cowden, Skellytown

J. B. Daniel, Crowell

James Henderson, Memphis

Clayton Henry, Wichita Falls

Brooks Hodges, Guthrie

Joe Leathers, Guthrie

Frank McLelland, Tahoka

Jeff Mitchell, Amarillo

Gage Moorhouse, Benjamin

Diaz W. Murray, Wichita Falls

J. Malcolm Shelton IV, Amarillo

Dale A. Smith, Amarillo

Jim Thompson, Breckenridge

Tom Watson, Muleshoe

Wesley Welch, Lubbock

HONORARY DIRECTORS

William L. “Buck” Arrington, Pampa

Van Baize, Nocona

Emry Birdwell Jr., Henrietta

Mary Lou Bradley-Henderson, Childress

R. A. “Rob” Brown Jr., Throckmorton

Mike Gibson, Paducah

Ronald J. “Ron” Gill, Chico

Robert B. Mansfield, Amarillo

Tom Moorhouse, Benjamin

Boots O’Neal, Guthrie

James Palmer, Roaring Springs

Wilson Scaling, Henrietta

Chris Scharbauer, Amarillo

John Welch, Wolfforth

A. B. “Buck” Wharton III, Vernon

Tom Woodward, Decatur

REGION 2 DIRECTORS

Kevin Busher, Winters

Charles M. “Charley” Christensen Jr., San Angelo

C.A. “Chili” Cole IV, San Angelo

Alan F. Curry, San Angelo

James H. Dudley IV, Horseshoe Bay

Amanda Dyer, Fort Davis

Johnny Ferguson, Big Lake

D.A. “Day” Harral, Fort Stockton

Ron Helm, Van Horn

Heath Hemphill, Coleman

Shelby W. Horn, Fredericksburg

Larry R. Horwood, Sterling City

Grant Jones, Rochelle

Mark W. Jones, Brady

W. Clay Jones, Brady

Ty Keeling, Boerne

Lorenzo Lasater, San Angelo

Brian T. McLaughlin, Midland

David L. Neal, San Angelo

Gerald Nobles Jr., Brady

James Oliver, Ozona

Wade Perks, San Angelo

Gordon E. Sauer, Fredericksburg

Jessica Tate, Marfa

James Uhl, Fort McKavett

Cody Webb, Barnhart

Ken Welch, Baird

Ray W. Willoughby III, Eldorado

HONORARY DIRECTORS

C. A. “Chip” Cole III, San Angelo

William C. “Billito” Donnell Jr., Alpine

Richard Gates, Marfa

W. H. “Billy” Green III, Albany

Rafe Hargrove, Rotan

Dr. Joe Pat Hemphill, Coleman

Richard D. “Dick” Hughes, El Paso

Ken Jordan, San Saba

Don Keeling, Fredericksburg

Chris Lacy, Fort Davis

Laurence M. Lasater, San Angelo

Ben Love, Marathon

Len P. Mertz, San Angelo

Tom Perini, Buffalo Gap

Bill Phinizy, Gail

Frank Price, Sterling City

Danny B. Stewart, Sterling City

Rick Tate, Marfa

Cliff Teinert, Albany

Dennis W. Webb, Barnhart

W. C. “Billy” Williams, Mertzon

REGION 3 DIRECTORS

Ford Drummond, Pawhuska, Oklahoma

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Les Nunn, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

REGION 4 DIRECTORS

Edward Bordovsky Jr., Riviera

Austin Brown III, Beeville

W. Christopher Bush, Refugio

Presnall C. Cage, Falfurrias

James Clement lll, Kingsville

David S. Crow, Corpus Christi

Dustin Dean, Floresville

David DeLaney, Kingsville

Robert “Bobby” Dobson, Birmingham, Alabama

James L. “Jamie” Donnell Jr., Fowlerton

J. David Eppright, Cost

Benjamin Eshleman III, Corpus Christi

Joseph B.C. Fitzsimons, Carrizo Springs

Cody Fry, Lueders

Jim L. Gates, Pearsall

Milton S. Greeson Jr., Victoria

Bret Griffith, Del Rio

Heath Grigg, Kingsville

Marty R. Harris, Tilden

Leslie Kinsel, Cotulla

Claude Koontz, San Antonio

Steven J. Mafrige, Tilden

Beth Knolle Naiser, Sandia

Federico Nieto, Raymondville

T. Michael O’Connor, Victoria

Jason Peeler, Floresville

J.R. Ramirez, La Pryor

Gilly Riojas, Corpus Christi

M. Stuart Sasser, Corpus Christi

Lew Thompson, Pearsall

Gene S. “Primo” Walker Jr., Mirando City

C. Clark Welder, Beeville

John Zacek, Victoria

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Steve G. Beever, Pearsall

Richard H. Bennett, San Antonio

Chip Briscoe, Carrizo Springs

Martin W. Clement II, Kingsville

Thurman S. Clements Jr., Victoria

Nixon Dillard, Pleasanton

Trainor Evans, Mercedes

Thomas J. “Tommy” Haegelin, Concan

Dr. Philip C. Hardee, Beatrice, Alabama

Allen C. “Dick” Jones IV, Corpus Christi

Joan Negley Kelleher, San Antonio

David W. Killam, Laredo

Dan W. Kinsel III, Cotulla

Steve C. Lewis, San Antonio

Jim McAdams, Seguin

James A. McAllen, Linn

Red McCombs, San Antonio

Tim Pennell, Westhoff

Jim Peters, Quemado

Scott Petty Jr., San Antonio

Tom Risinger, Weslaco

Frates Seeligson Jr., San Antonio

Richard Traylor, Batesville

Roger F. Welder, Victoria

David W. Winters, Del Rio

REGION 5 DIRECTORS

Wayne Cockrell, College Station

Herff Cornelius Jr., Wadsworth

Carlos Detering III, Houston

Dr. Lewis (Bud) Dinges, Richmond

Gardner H. Dudley, Houston

Jay C. Evans, Dripping Springs

Dan Gattis, Georgetown

Kelley Sullivan Georgiades, College Station

George Harrison, Bay City

Tom J. Haynie, Navasota

Robert Hodgen, Houston

Colt Hoffman, Marlin

Clay Kenley, Crockett

Gary Price, Blooming Grove

Clive Runnells III, Austin

John Sumner Runnells III, Bay City

Tony Spears, Rosanky

John “Rocky” Sullivan, Galveston

Bill White, Stowell

Claudia Scott Wright, Richmond

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Leroy Ezer, Anahuac

Frank Green, Liberty

Coleman H. Locke, Hungerford

Katharine Armstrong Love, Austin

Richard M. Lucas Jr., Houston

William “Alan” McNeill, Beaumont

Evalyn Moore, Richmond

Raymond E. Moore IV, Richmond

Rick Peebles, Baytown

Gordon Richardson, Caldwell

Charles R. “Butch” Robinson, Navasota

Nolan Ryan, Round Rock

J. D. “Bubba” Sartwelle Jr., Sealy

Ed Small, Austin

Guy F. Stovall Jr., El Campo

Linda Joy Stovall, El Campo

Gerald Sullivan, Galveston

John L. Sullivan, Galveston

Robert J. Underbrink, Houston

Mark A. Wheelis, Montgomery

Beau Brite White, Rosanky

Dr. M. R. “Mike” Wirtz, Brenham

REGION 6 DIRECTORS

April Bonds, Saginaw

Missy Bonds, Saginaw

John L. Cantrell, Cresson

Ian Chapman, Madill, Oklahoma

Hunter Crow, Dallas

James T. Dangelmayr, Muenster

Seth Denbow, Weatherford

Crawford Edwards, Fort Worth

John Greer, Henrietta

Jason Harlow, Dallas

Pete Hudgins, Sherman

Tom Johnson, Wortham

John Z. Kimberlin Jr., Dallas

Ken Leiber, Fort Worth

James E. “Jim” Link, Crowley

Stefan Marchman, Fort Worth

William H. McCall, Fort Worth

Dan Nance, Haslet

Susan Roach, Fort Worth

Stephen S. “Steve” Sikes, Fort Worth

Bragg Smith III, Dallas

Bart Wulff, Dallas

Curtis Younts Jr., Belton

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Bradford S. “Brad” Barnes, Fort Worth

George Beggs IV, Fort Worth

John W. Carpenter III, Dallas

Barrett D. Clark, Breckenridge

Markham B. Dossett, Waco

Bob Drake, Davis, Oklahoma

James H. “Jim” Dudley, Comanche

Jon David Mayfield, Dublin

C. H. “Terry” McCall, Comanche

Bob Moorhouse, Weatherford

Russell “Rusty” Noble, Ardmore, Oklahoma

Mary Joe Reynolds-Montgomery, Fort Worth

Tom L. Roach III, Bozeman, Montana

Stephen T. “Steve” Swenson, Dallas

Faces of Law Enforcement

LOYAL TO THE CAUSE

TSCRA Special Ranger describes 15 years of service in Central Texas.

By Laurie Martin

Honest, dependable and loyal. Man of few words? No, he said.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Marvin Wills has worked in law enforcement for 42 years, starting as a game warden in 1980, then transitioning to his current role in 2008. He says his so-called windiness has served him well over the years.

“You have to be able to talk to people in our business,” Wills says. “You have to be able to take control of the situation, the conversation and talk to people on all levels.”

Wills typically investigates about 40 cases a year that mostly result in felony charges. He often communicates with other special rangers, along with law enforcement and government officials, not only in his own district, but also across county, state and even international borders.

He says what he enjoys most about the job is the camaraderie between agencies — and catching the thief.

“We don’t run rough over anybody,” Wills says. “We don’t accuse people without having facts, so when we go and see someone, they know the gig is up.”

Even for those found on the other side of the law, the golden rule still applies.

When he is apprehending someone, Wills says he aims to treat people how he would want to be treated. Someone is not a bad person just because they made a bad choice.

Through the years, Wills has had a couple cases that stick out in his mind.

One that makes Wills chuckle is when a stolen herd of cattle and one donkey had been located. The owner was called, and he identified his stolen donkey by calling out the donkey’s name, Cappuccino, or Cappy for short, over the phone. The donkey responded by braying loudly and repeatedly. Case solved.

In another case, an owner called him about stolen, unbranded black calves. With some pictures and other evidence provided by the owner, Wills found record of them being sold at an auction market.

“Cattle often go in 90 different directions after leaving a sale barn, so that can make it hard enough,” he says. “And then a black calf is a black calf, which makes it even harder. But the owner said he could pick them out, so we went out to where they had been sold and ran them down the alley.”

Though it seemed skeptical that the owner would be able to correctly identify his two calves specifically, they ran DNA tests on them and confirmed the owner did, indeed, pick out his two calves. Case solved.

Wills says he wants to remind people the best way to ensure stolen property can be recovered is to have it properly identified, such as having the serial numbers or a registered brand in the county of operation.

Outside of being a special ranger, Wills is married, with two daughters and five grandchildren. He lives in Gatesville, but also owns a small ranch in Palo Pinto County. He enjoys traveling to see his grandchildren, where he says he is lucky to be able to hunt and fish, which are his other hobbies.

Besides being talkative, Wills describes himself as loyal to the cause and a self-starter. He says being a special ranger is like being your own boss.

“You have to know what to do and when you need to do it,” he says. “And you can’t be a crook to chase a crook. You have to ride for the brand with whatever job you do.” T C

Laurie Martin is a freelance writer and photographer from Brownfield.

Marvin Wills serves as a Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger for District 15.

REGIONS & DISTRICTS

JAY FOSTER Supervisor Region 1

H.D. BRITTAIN Supervisor Region 2

JOE AGUILAR JR. Supervisor Region 4

DAVID

MARCAURELE Supervisor Region 5

BO FOX Supervisor Region 6

BART PERRIER Supervisor Region 3

TSCRA Special Rangers

America’s #1 Source for Bulls

New Members

4:40 Cattle Co. Canton

4W Cattle Co.

Liberty

509 Ranch

Sallisaw, Oklahoma

822 Energy LP

Midland

9L Farms

Devine

Travis Abbott

Hillsboro

Keith Acklie

Krum

George Aguilar

Mission

AMCLO Beefmasters Cattle Co.

Roma

Damon Anderson

Snyder

Fantasia Archer

Lipan

Denver Atkins Goldsboro

Ben Aubrwy Lubbock

Cindy Avila Hebbronville

Caitlynn Ayers

Gary

Jay Baker

Chelsea, Oklahoma

Richard Ball

Waco

Wyona Ballard North Zulch

Tanner Banks Rockdale

John Barkley

Austin

Mark Barnes

Missouri City

Carsyn Barnett

Aledo

Bethanie Barrett

Sherman

Tanner Bean

Wortham

Lauren Bennett

Ponchatoula, Louisiana

Nancy Betik

Ennis

Rachel Bettice

Adkins

Prichard Bevis

Fort Worth

Mark Bilski Chappell Hill

Jennifer Blackmon

Jacksonville

Bethany Blackwell

Iowa Park

Wyatt Blase

Waller

Thomas Bludau Hallettsville

Bruce Bockhorn Carmine

Hagen Boullion

Paige

Claire Boutwell

Paris

Beth Bowman Brookesmith

Kendra Brister

Apple Springs

Dayna Britten

Groom

Owen Britten

Groom

Greg Brooks

Henrietta

Laynee Buchanan

Houston

Elizabeth Burg

Cypress

John Burgess

Dallas

Tony Burgess Jr.

Alvarado

Katie Burnett

Ladonia

Jim Byers

Decatur

C Rockin M Land & Cattle

Brenham

Cadenhead Farm

Brenham

Coltin Cagle

Whitesboro

McKenna Camp

Maypearl

Jarrod Canada

Archer City

Crystal Cantu

Inez

William Cantu

Brenham

Russell Carraway

Kaufman

Makenna Carter

Godley

Kara Chasteen

Bertram

Kye Chesmer

Fort Worth

Stephanie Clark

Denison

Terri Cobb

Childress

Larry Cole

West Columbia

Preston Colford

Weatherford

Jose Colombo

Llano

Coogler Cattle Co.

Shepard

Ronald Cooper

Imperial

Brandon Copass

Temple, Oklahoma

Pete Cordova

Uvalde

Holly Cotton

Hallsville

Randy Craven

Carbon

Cuartro Hijos

Houston

Kelly Cupp

Wolfe City

Andrew Cure

Sour Lake

Madison Dains

Frisco

Billy Dalmolin

Alvin

DAM Ranch

Bedias

Jeremiah Daniels

Vinita, Oklahoma

Daugbjerg Farm

Dallas

Cliff Davis

Carrizo Springs

Rhonda Davis

Rockwall

DBR Outdoors LLC

San Diego

Dirk DeKoch San Antonio

Connor DeLaney

Houston

Rodney Dennis Gorman

Cali Derrick

Cookville

Diamond W Cattle Liberty

Gregory Dibello Laporte

Double D Tulsa, Oklahoma

Double H Land & Cattle Co.

Ledbetter

Double H Land & Livestock

Henrietta

Addison Douglas Roanoke

Andrew Drake Winnie

Durdin Farms

Dayton

Gregory Eatmon

Bertram

Bobby & Janis Enloe

Montgomery

Roberto Estrada

Houston

New Members

Mackenlee Evans

Lorenzo

Faith Acres

Mounds, Oklahoma

Connor Fillingim

Saint Hedwig

Bobby Fletcher

Lubbock

Destry Foshee

Lindale

Michael Frazier

Decatur

Fred Butler Jr. 7B Ranch Kinta, Oklahoma

Drew Fuller

San Antonio

Courtney Fussell

Stroud, Oklahoma

Matt Gaines

Comanche

John Gilbreath

Bonham

John Gillespie

The Woodlands

Richard Gomez

Waxahachie

J. Todd Gregory

Fort Worth

Volney Griffin

Livingston

Samuel Guevara

Houston

Jaime Hahn

Katy

Dylan Hargrove

Snyder

Jeremy Harris

Porter

New Members

Ryan Harris Wells

Bryan Hatanville Roxton

Kodi Hatfield

Stephenville

Henefey Angus

D'Hanis

Joseph "Sonny" Henry Montalba

Claresa Herring Graford

Mark Hertel Fort Worth

Hidden Valley Ranch

San Antonio

Hill-Bretzke Ranch

Brenham

Joey Hogan

Franklin

Hoppie Dairy

Diana

Don Hothem Overton, Nevada

Lauri Humberson Schertz

Cody Hyde Roland, Oklahoma

Hunter Ihrman Holland, Michigan

Pennie Jackson

Houston

Joseph James

Sinton

Bonita Jeter

Jacksboro

James Jones Ace

Roy L. Kendrick Goldsboro

Karen Kiesling

Sour Lake

Ashley King

Midland

Jackson Kinney Reklaw

Jeffery Kinsey Cumby

Diana Kissane Montgomery

KNF Cattle Skiatook, Oklahoma

Kayli Krenek

Tomball

Lauren Krenek

Tomball

KWA Outfitters

Bryan

Lady Hummingbird Farm

Katy

Tony Lane Abilene

Justin Lankford

Wolfe City

Dale Laster Royse City

L azy L Hominy, Oklahoma

Legacy Ag Credit Canton

Gracie Lenz

Danbury

Emily Lester Ranger

Don Lewis

Brenham

Egan Little

San Antonio

Little Women Cattle Co.

Cleveland

Bryce London

Frisco

Judd Long

Tyler

Lost Pines Ranch

Bullard

Jeff Lumas

Wister, Oklahoma

MAC Machine Shop Ranch

Brenham

Mandy Mahon

Winnie

Bryce Martin

Gainesville

Margaret Martinez

Wills Point

Mack Mattke

Valley View

Cole Mau

Amarillo

Cooper Mau

Columbus

Christopher McCain

Brenham

Rachel McCarty

Cherokee

Ardie McCaslin

Kennedale

Mark McClendon

Iola

Maybree McClure

Springtown

Chris McCrory

Stephenville

Nathan McCune Grandview

James McDaniel Vinita, Oklahoma

Jen McDonald Fort Worth

Ryan McGilvary

Henrietta

Courtney McNeff Yukon, Oklahoma

Sophia Melton Baytown

Mabry Mikolajchak Manvel

Mayvin Mikolajchak Manvel

Myka Mikolajchak Manvel

James Mikus Brenham

Jason Miller Palacios

Sadie Miller McAlester, Oklahoma

Addison Moloughney Grapevine

Merry Moore Fort Worth

Josh Morris Ector

MQ Ranch Fort Worth

Raelin Musgrove Detroit

Scott Neumann Round top

Elizabeth Nichols Cisco

Nita K Ranch Sulphur Springs

Jonathan Nix De Leon

Kevin Norris Valley View

Dathan Nowicki Brenham

Barbara O'Dell Sulphur Springs

Ryan Oakes Arlington Larry Oaks Cypress Oaxis Hondo

At Cactus Feeders The Cattle Come First, and Our Cattle Feeding Customers are the Core of Our Business

Get to know the individuals who make Cactus Feeders a success.

Cactus Feedyard

Matthew Turney, Manager

Cactus, TX office: (806) 966-5151

cell: (806) 282-7077

Centerfire Feedyard

Rusty Jackson, Manager

Ulysses, KS office: (620) 356-2010

cell: (806) 773-9457

Frontier Feedyard

Ross Kelso, Manager

Spearman, TX office: (806) 882-4251 cell: (806) 662-4741

Stratford Feedyard

Pistol Audrain, Manager

Stratford, TX office: (806) 396-5501 cell: (806) 753-7133

At Cactus, our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) makes each employee an owner of the company. They think like owners and take care of the cattle like owners. That’s the secret to what has made Cactus Feeders a success, and that will continue to make us successful tomorrow.

Southwest Feedyard

Kacey Graham, Manager

Hereford, TX office: (806) 364-0693 cell: (806) 316-8799

Hale Center Feedyard

David Watts, Manager

Hale Center, TX office: (806) 879-2104 cell: (806) 202-0209

Ulysses Feedyard

Adam Gerrond, Manager

Ulysses, KS office: (620) 356-1750 cell:(806) 390-9034

Wolf Creek Feedyard

Keith Brinson, Manager Perryton, TX office: (806) 435-5697 cell: (806) 282-7588

Wrangler Feedyard

Randy Shields, Manager Tulia, TX office: (806) 583-2131 cell: (806) 290-0559

Syracuse Feedyard

Phil Moreman, Manager Syracuse, KS office: (620) 384-7431 cell: (806) 340-4790

New Members

Oefinger Ranch

Hondo

Donnie & Retha Osburn

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Kelly Osburn

Celina

Brent Parker

Wylie

David & Jennifer Parker

New Boston

Monica Parker

Springtown

Kelley Pemberton

Dennis

William Peratt

Paradise

Rance Pernell

Dougherty

Ali Jordan Phillips

Coleman

Philips Cattle Ranch

Brenham

Shaun Pittman

Tioga

Ryan Pleasant

Fort Worth

Stephen Pool

Leander

Desi Porter

Montgomery

Katherine Potter

Gladewater

Gene Provenzano

Chino, California

John Pullin

Floresville

Philip Rathe

Spring

Jacqueline Rayo

Humble

Morgan Register

Benbrook

Michael Reiswig

Dallas

Andrew Rickett

Tomball

Clayton Riley

Snyder

Cory Ripkowski

Dayton

Tony RIzo

Fort Worth

Wade Roberson

Fort Worth

Helen Robinson

Temple

Rockin' B Farm & Ranch

Alvin

Rockin' W Cattle Co.

Grandview

Nathan Roddy

Paris

Brennan Rodriguez

Fort Worth

Jimena Rodriguez

Fort Worth

Justin Rogers

Sonora

Randy Rollo

Liberty Hill

Kenny & Ronnie Rothe

D'Hanis

Timothy Rowland

Mount Pleasant

Sack T Farms/Rollin' Hills Ranch

Chappell Hill

Richard Salmon Jr.

Dallas

San Miguel Ranch

Houston

Christine Sanders

Rockwall

Kirstyn Santimauro

Sweeny

Maci Schley

Edgewood

Will Schneemann IV

Big Lake

Seco Oaks Ranch

Houston

Sellmeyer Ranch LLC

Collinsville, Oklahoma

Hudson Sepe

Wylie

William Shead

Houston

Siestedero Ranch LLC

Portland

Baylee Simmons

Midway

Harpal Singh

Murphy

Damon Sloan

Haltom City

Casey Smith

Lampasas

Wyatt Smith

Wolfe City

Shanon Solberg

Grandview

Marcial Sorrel

Sealy

Phillip Spain

Karnack

Mark Steel Wichita Falls

Sophie Stroud Frisco

Isabelle Suits

Wills Point

Annabella Sulpizio

Lubbock

Sundowner Farms Inc. Friona

Ellie Swain Robinson

Landon Swain Robinson

Clint Symes San Angelo

Donald Tatsch Harper

Bailee Taylor Pattonville

Taylor Farm Sulphur Springs

William Taylor Denison

Lacy Tewksbury Paradise

Texas 4L Ranch Missouri City

Lilly Thomas Cleburne

Danny Thompson Sasakwa, Oklahoma

Cory Thrasher Murchison

Mattie Thrasher

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Lacey Tinney Cleveland

Kathryn Tompkins Brookshire

Diane Travis Dallas

Urion Ranches

Helotes

Tomas Villanueva

Caldwell

Kathryn Vinson Mason

Andy Viruette

Mount Blevieu

Emory Vollentine Caldwell

Curt Waldrip Liberty Erin Walnofer Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

Aidan Warren Grand Saline

Guy Warren Merkel Don Waters Elmore City, Oklahoma

Brian Watson Ennis

Byron Watson Van Alstyne

Everett & Lisa Watson Crawford

Owen Weaver

Pearsall

Weber Ag Pilot Point

Kelly Weber Seguin

David Weyman

Wimberley

Trisha Williams

Gilmer

Dennis Willis

Childress

Zane Wilson

El Campo

Windy Ridge Ranch

Nocona

David Winkler

Meridian

Brenda Woid

Colorado City

Danny Wolf Windthorst

Wolff Cattle Co.

Gatesville

William Woodward MD

Huntsville

Joey Word

Big Sandy

Dakota Wright

Grapevine

Will Wright III Falfurrias

Lane Yant

Tioga

Brett Yeager

Bryan

Kasey Yeager

Bryan

John Yoder

Lindale

Susan Yoder

Adair, Oklahoma

Charles Young Conroe

Michael Zinsmeyer

Castroville

Auction Markets & Market Inspectors

ANDERSON

Anderson County Livestock Exchange

Where: Elkhart

Phone: 903-764-1919

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Michael Little, 903-876-3153

Elkhart Horse Auction

Where: Elkhart

Phone: 903-764-1495

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Tiffany Patterson, 903-388-7288

ATASCOSA

Atascosa Livestock Exchange

Where: Pleasanton

Phone: 830-281-2516

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Marvin Bendele, 210-213-5890

AUSTIN

Four County Auction

Where: Industry

Phone: 979-357-2545

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Lisa Sebastian, 979-270-3041

BAILEY

Muleshoe Livestock Auction

Where: Muleshoe

Phone: 806-272-4201

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Leo Aviles, 956-437-3899

BEE

Beeville Livestock Comm.

Where: Beeville

Phone: 361-358-1727

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Robert Bridge, 361-542-6693

BOSQUE

Meridian L/S Comm. Co.

Where: Meridian

Phone: 254-435-2988

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Larry Brown, 254-265-1920

BOWIE

J & J Livestock Auction

Where: Texarkana

Phone: 903-832-3576

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Cheri Beal, 903-280-4554

BRAZOS

Brazos Valley Livestock Comm.

Where: Bryan

Phone: 979-778-0904

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Nina Nygard, 512-281-6753

BURLESON

Caldwell Livestock Comm.

Where: Caldwell

Phone: 979-567-4119

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Mark Nygard, 512-281-6330

CALDWELL

Lockhart Auction

Where: Lockhart

Phone: 512-398-3476

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Nina Nygard, 512-281-6753

CAMP

Bruce Overstreet Livestock

Where: Pittsburg

Phone: 903-856-3440

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Michelle Willeford, 903-767-0670

CHEROKEE

Tri County Livestock Market

Where: New Summerfield

Phone: 903-726-3291

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Michael Little, 903-876-3153

COLEMAN

Coleman Livestock Auction

Where: Coleman

Phone: 325-625-4191

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Dave Williams, 325-669-2030

COLORADO

Cattleman’s Columbus Livestock Auction

Where: Columbus

Phone: 979-732-2622

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Lisa Sebastian, 979-270-1228

COMANCHE

Comanche Livestock Exchange

Where: Comanche

Phone: 325-356-5231

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Michael Davis, 254-879-3121

COOKE

The New Gainesville Livestock Auction

Where: Gainesville

Phone: 940-665-4367

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Robin Gibbs, 903-227-0791

CORYELL

Coryell County Comm.

Where: Gatesville

Phone: 254-865-9121

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Ray Davis, 254-718-5512

DALLAM

Cattleman’s Livestock Comm.

Where: Dalhart

Phone: 806-249-5505

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Clifton Miller, 806-570-7439

DEAF SMITH

Hereford Livestock Auction

Where: Hereford

Phone: 806-240-3082

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Joe Bob Via, 806-452-9280

DEWITT

Cuero Livestock Comm.

Where: Cuero

Phone: 361-275-2329

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Kaylee Malatek, 979-942-0323

EASTLAND

Texas Cattle Exchange

Where: Eastland

Phone: 254-629-2288

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Ronnie Ober, 817-371-7071

EL PASO

Rio Grand Classic

Where: El Paso

Phone: 956-487-5551

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Joe Karl Rios, 915-858-0590

ERATH

Dublin Livestock Auction

Where: Dublin

Phone: 254-445-1734

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Ronnie Ober, 817-371-7071

THERE ARE EASIER WAYS

TO MAKE A LIVING

But you wouldn’ t trade ranching for anything.

It’s about upholding traditions and growing our beef-loving community. While you keep moving forward, you can count on the Texas Beef Council having your back to drive demand for beef.

Efforts like the hit BBQuest video series surpassing 2.9 million views and delivering the latest beef nutrition research to 750 medical offices across Texas are just a few ways we’re working to keep beef in its strongest state.

Scan the QR code or visit TexasBeefCheckoff.com to sign up for the Cattle Talk newsletter and stay informed about all the ways your Beef Checkoff dollars are fueling beef demand.

Auction Markets & Market Inspectors

Erath County Dairy Sale

Where: Dublin

Phone: 254-968-7253

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Bob McBryde, 940-859-6217

Stephenville Cattle Co.

Where: Stephenville

Phone: 254-968-4844

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Bob McBryde, 940-859-6217

FAYETTE

Flatonia Livestock Comm.

Where: Flatonia

Phone: 361-865-3538

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Danielle Robbins, 512-944-0383

Schulenburg Livestock Auction

Where: Schulenburg

Phone: 979-743-6566

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Vance Weltner, 210-473-9099

FLOYD

Floydada Livestock Sales

Where: Floydada

Phone: 806-983-2153

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: John Hindman, 806-778-4899

FRIO

Pearsall Livestock Auction

Where: Pearsall

Phone: 830-334-3653

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Clarence Stevens, 210-415-0441

GILLESPIE

Gillespie Livestock Co.

Where: Fredericksburg

Phone: 830-997-4394

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Tom Roarick, 830-889-5155

GONZALES

Gonzales Livestock Market

Where: Gonzales

Phone: 830-672-2845

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Derek Bettis, 979-743-9699

Nixon Livestock Comm.

Where: Nixon

Phone: 830-582-1561

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Cade Burks, 830-391-4501

GREGG

Longview Livestock

Where: Longview

Phone: 903-235-6385

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Paul Pruitt, 903-725-6200

GRIMES

Mid-Tex Livestock Auction

Where: Anderson

Phone: 936-825-3970

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Danielle Robbins, 512-944-0383

Navasota Livestock Auction

Where: Navasota

Phone: 936-825-6545

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Rick Faught, 936-442-1039

GUADALUPE

Seguin Cattle Co.

Where: Seguin

Phone: 830-379-9955

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Cade Burks, 830-391-4501

HAMILTON

Hamilton Livestock Comm.

Where: Hamilton

Phone: 254-386-3185

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Bob McBryde, 940-859-6217

HARDIN

Gore Family Auction Center

Where: Silsbee

Phone: 409-782-0612

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Christy McCoy, 409-782-0612

HENDERSON

Athens Comm. Co.

Where: Athens

Phone: 903-675-3333

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Brandy Baughman, 903-440-4382

HIDALGO

Edinburg Livestock Auction

Where: Edinburg

Phone: 956-383-5671

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Coney Alvarez Jr., 956-437-3899

HILL

Hubbard Livestock Market

Where: Hubbard

Phone: 254-576-2584

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Bob McBryde, 940-859-6217

HOPKINS

Sulphur Springs Livestock Comm.

Where: Sulphur Springs

Phone: 903-885-2455

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Paul Pruitt, 903-725-6200

HOUSTON

East Texas Livestock Auction

Where: Crockett

Phone: 936-544-2246

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Cheyenne Ward, 936-222-3689

HOWARD

Big Spring Livestock Auction

Where: Big Spring

Phone: 432-267-5881

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Bruce Brandenberger, 254-977-5763

JACKSON

Edna Livestock Auction

Where: Edna

Phone: 361-782-7666

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Galynn Mazoch, 979-578-1823

JASPER

Kirbyville Auction Barn

Where: Kirbyville

Phone: 409-423-2612

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Casey Jones, 409-423-0685

JIM WELLS

Gulf Coast Livestock Market

Where: Alice

Phone: 361-664-4395

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Ramiro Garcia, 361-460-0008

JOHNSON

Johnson County Cattle Auction

Where: Cleburne

Phone: 817-556-9090

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Lee Snyder, 254-707-1682

KARNES

Karnes City Auction

Where: Karnes City

Phone: 830-780-3382

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Landyn Maguglin, 361-492-9484

Karnes County Livestock Exchange

Where: Kenedy

Phone: 830-583-2574

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Kaylee Malatek, 979-942-0323

LAMAR

Cattlemen’s Livestock Comm.

Where: Paris

Phone: 903-784-2238

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Robin Gibbs, 903-227-0791

Paris Livestock Auction

Where: Paris

Phone: 903-739-2575

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Robin Gibbs, 903-227-0791

LAMPASAS

Lampasas Cattle Auction

Where: Lampasas

Phone: 512-556-3611

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Ray Davis, 254-718-5512

LAVACA

Hallettsville Livestock Comm.

Where: Hallettsville

Phone: 361-798-4336

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Kaylee Malatek, 979-942-0323

LEE

Giddings Livestock Comm.

Where: Giddings

Phone: 979-542-2274

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Nina Nygard, 512-281-6753

Auction Markets & Market Inspectors

Lexington Livestock Comm.

Where: Lexington

Phone: 979-773-2922

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Nina Nygard, 512-281-6753

LEON

Buffalo Livestock Comm.

Where: Buffalo

Phone: 903-322-4940

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Tyler Rader, 713-907-2725

LIBERTY

Raywood Livestock Market

Where: Raywood

Phone: 936-587-4941

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Harvey Williamson, 963-334-5325

LIMESTONE

Groesbeck Auction & Livestock

Where: Groesbeck

Phone: 254-729-3277

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Tyler Rader, 713-907-2725

LIVE OAK

Live Oak Livestock Auction

Where: Three Rivers

Phone: 361-786-2553

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Marvin Bendele, 210-213-5890

MASON

Jordan Cattle Auction

Where: Mason

Phone: 325-347-6361

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Warren Ottmers, 830-669-2262

MCLENNAN

Waco Stockyards

Where: Waco

Phone: 254-753-3191

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Larry Brown, 254-265-1920

West Auction

Where: West

Phone: 254-826-3725

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Ray Davis, 254-718-5512

MEDINA

Union Comm.

Where: Hondo

Phone: 830-741-8061,

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Clarence Stevens, 210-415-0441

MILAM

Milam County Livestock Auction

Where: Cameron

Phone: 254-697-6697

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Rick Faught, 936-442-1039

NACOGDOCHES

Nacogdoches Livestock Exchange

Where: Nacogdoches

Phone: 936-564-8661

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Michael Witcher, 936-556-0992

NAVARRO

Corsicana Livestock Market

Where: Corsicana

Phone: 903-872-1631

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Kenda Meek, 254-379-3229

PANOLA

Panola Livestock

Where: Carthage

Phone: 903-693-6361

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Lori Blankenship, 936-234-3441

POLK

Livingston Livestock Exchange

Where: Livingston

Phone: 936-327-4917

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Harvey Williamson, 963-334-5325

POTTER

Lonestar Stockyards

Where: Amarillo

Phone: 806-677-0777

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Michael Vessels, 806-517-3188

RAINS

Emory Livestock Auction

Where: Emory

Phone: 903-473-2512

Sale Days: Tuesday & Saturday

Contact: Brandy Baughman, 903-440-4382

Auction Markets & Market Inspectors

ROBERTSON

Calvert Livestock Co.

Where: Calvert Phone: 979-364-2829

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Ray Davis, 254-718-5512

RUSK

Hunt Livestock Exchange

Where: Henderson Phone: 903-657-2690

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Samuel Steadman, 318-617-1141

SAN

SABA

Jordan Cattle Auction

Where: San Saba

Phone: 325-372-5159

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: David Munden, 325-456-7253

SHELBY

Center Auction Co.

Where: Center

Phone: 936-598-4395

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Michael Witcher, 936-556-0992

STARR

Triple G Livestock Auction LLC

Where: Rio Grande City

Phone: 956-437-1988

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Coney Alvarez Jr., 956-437-3899

SWISHER

Tulia Livestock Auction

Where: Tulia

Phone: 806-995-4184

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Michael Vessels, 806-517-3188

TAYLOR

Abilene Auction

Where: Abilene

Phone: 325-673-7865

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Dave Williams, 325-669-2030

TITUS

Stone Livestock Comm.

Where: Mt. Pleasant

Phone: 903-575-9099

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Paul Pruitt, 903-725-6200

TOM GREEN

Producers Livestock Auction

Where: San Angelo

Phone: 325-653-3371

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Bruce Halfmann, 325-315-5972

UVALDE

Southwest Livestock Exchange

Where: Uvalde

Phone: 830-278-5621

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Clarence Stevens, 210-415-0441

VAN ZANDT

Mort Livestock Exchange

Where: Canton

Phone: 903-287-6386

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Paul Pruitt, 903-725-6200

Van Zandt Comm. Co.

Where: Wills Point

Phone: 903-872-2117

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Paul Pruitt, 903-725-6200

WASHINGTON

Brenham Livestock Auction

Where: Brenham

Phone: 979-836-3621

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Lisa Sebastian, 979-270-3041

WHARTON

El Campo Livestock Co.

Where: El Campo

Phone: 979-543-2703

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Galynn Mazoch, 979-578-1823

Wharton Livestock Auction

Where: Wharton

Phone: 979-532-3660

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Galynn Mazoch, 979-578-1823

WICHITA

Wichita Livestock Sales

Where: Wichita Falls

Phone: 940-541-2222

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: R.C. Langford, 832-330-7279

WILBARGER

Vernon Livestock Market LLC

Where: Vernon

Phone: 940-552-6000

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: James Yates, 931-316-3916

WISE

Decatur Livestock Market

Where: Decatur

Phone: 940-627-5599

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Rebecca Benson, 940-389-6382

WOOD

Winnsboro Livestock Auction

Where: Winnsboro

Phone: 903-365-2201

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Alan Pruitt, 903-725-6200

YOUNG

Graham Livestock Comm. LLC

Where: Graham

Phone: 940-549-0078

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Kyla Rater, 940-284-9968

Detering Red Brahmans

Beef Oriented Red Brahmans for the pasture and the show ring

L. Hogue

• Judy Hogue 6 Spring Hollow, Brownwood, Texas 76801

10108 CR 237 • Phone: 325-643-2225

325-647-9168 • Fax: 326-643-6235

rlhmd@familymedical.us

Lesikar Ranch

Wa tt M . C a sey/ Watt J r. 325- 66 8- 1373 Alb any, Tex as 764 30 ww w.CaseyBeef ma sters.co m

Liendo Plantation, 38653 Wyatt Chapel Rd. Hempstead, TX 77445 Will Detering, owner 281.989.8965

Web site: deteringredbrahmans.com

®

200+ Registered Angus Bulls For Sale Private Treaty

100+ Registered Angus Bulls Thick, Deep, Easy Fleshing, Moderate Size, Balanced Traits For Sale Private Treaty

Lyn Lesikar Jason Lesikar 817-726-7998817-738-2177

FOUNDATION

The Dale Lasater Ranch • Matheson, Colorado 80830 210-872-1117 • alexlasater@yahoo.com www.DaleLasaterRanch.com

Bill Carr

Hilltop Ranch Beefmasters

Quality Beefmaster Cattle

Ranches in Webb, Wilson and Kendall counties Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2947 Laredo, Texas 78044 Phone: 361/586-5067

Performance Beefmasters from the Founding Family 62nd Bull Sale: October 7, 2023

BEEFMASTERS

www.olsoncattle.com

Private Treaty Females Semen & Embryos

Lorenzo Lasater • San Angelo, TX 325.656.9126 • isabeefmasters.com

Cullin Smith (409) 779-9872

Quality Brahman Ca le Since 1936

PARTIN & PARTIN HEART BAR RANCH Janet, Steve and Carlton Partin 3159 FM 837 • Montalba, Texas 75853 903-549-3000 • Fax: 903-549-3005 Janet Partin: 903-922-3689 Carlton Partin: 407-709-0297 www.heartbarranch.com email: partin.partin@aol.com

5th Generation

Visitors are always Welcome

Year

Sartwelle Brahman Ranch Ltd P O Box 27, Campbellton, Texas USA 78008

Sensibly Bred and Raised Brahman Cattle 979-877-4239

Sugie Sartwelle J. D. Sartwelle III 361-500-5792 Email: sartwellej@gmail.com

SATTERFIELD RANCH

at LOST PRAIRIE LAKE • Palestine, Texas

Registered Gray Brahmans

Dr. Scott & Nancy Satterfield 410 ACR 376 • Palestine, TX 75801 830-613-1492 www.satterfieldranch.com

Rick & Mikelle Roeder,

Registered Black Herefords bacicafarms.com

Mike & Carla Bacica 11707 FM 2868 Flint, TX 75762

Mike: 903-520-0390 mbpga@aol.com

Carla: 903-530-8551 wtnca@aol.com

80 | tscra.org March 2023 The Cattleman

936.624.2333

srrtexas.com•info@srrtexas.com 2069 FM 2498 Crockett, Texas 75835

Caleb Boscamp 830-857-5189

Julie Boscamp 830-857-5129 julieboscamp@yahoo.com 303 County Road 459 • Waelder, TX 78959 www.arrowheadcharolaisranch.com

Dennis Cha r olais Bull s 40 years of selective breeding/performance testing for… Easy Calving and… Explosive Growth

Eric and Angie Dennis Saint Jo, TX 940/995-2161 940/841-2792 Cell

ROLLING O FARMS

QUALITY CHAROLAIS BULLS & HEIFERS REGISTERED + GENTLE

D.P. OWEN + GROESBECK, TEXAS 254-729-8644

CHAROLAIS BULLS

One or a truckload - Give us a call SW&S Cattle Company

Don and Kathy Schill 903-388-1342 • Donie, Texas

T HOMAS CHAR O LAIS, INC . P.O. Box 595 • Raymondville, Texas 78580 Mitch Thomas: 956-535-0936 Tonnyre Thomas Joe: 956-535-0942 thomasra@gte.net www.thomascharolais.com

LLPRANCHLAND.COM 325-655-6989 1002 Koenigheim, San Angelo, Texas 76903

PRICE REDUCED! UNION CO.,

www.scottlandcompany.com

Ben G. Scott - Broker • Krystal M. Nelson - NM QB 800-933-9698 5:00 a.m./10:00 p.m.

American

512-858-7285

www.americ anredbrangus.org

Black or Red Simbrah • SimAngus HT • SimAngus

ZFILEGONIA

C ATTLE C OMPAN Y

Joe & Beth Mercer 327 CR 459, Lott, TX 76656 • H/O/Fax: 254-984-2225 bethmercer1974@gmail.com • www.filegoniacattle.com

Foster Bros. Farms

ZLockney, Texas

Office:(806) 652-3351 / Fax:(806) 652-3738

fosterbros@att.net / www.fosterbrosfarms.com

David & DarLee Foster (806) 652-3824 (806) 983-7221 mbl.

Mallett

SIMMENTALS

Jody & Shawnda Foster (806) 652-2383 (806) 983-7225 mbl.

361/573-7141

Roque DivisionSan Carlos Division Bloomington, TX Catarina, TXRio Grande City, TX

Joe Jones-Manager • 361/897-1337

SIMMENTAL/ SIMBRAH

Simmental & SimAngus

19th Annual Bull Sale

BULL SALE

March 2nd, 2023

March 8, 2012

San Saba, Texas

Private Treaty Sales

Mike Mallett

Our cattle are perfomance tested.

10602 North Hwy. 281 • Lampasas, TX 76550

Mike and Connie Mallett • 512-556-1021 Lampasas, Texas • mallettsimmentals.com

Home: 512-556-8548 • Cell: 512-556-1021 www.mallettsimmentals.com

Stonewall Valley Ranch

Registerd Texas Longhorn bulls, cows, heifers, roping steers, trophy steers, semen, mounts skulls for sale. Overnight accommodations available on the ranch.

www.stonewallvalleyranch.com

512-970-4676 (HORN) or 512-751-2386 (BEVO)

100 % Wagyu B ull s + Beef for S ale

The Ultimate in ... Calving Ease, Price Premium, and Carcass Quality

Kevin & Jessica Moore 2929 Oak Hill Rd., Alvarado, TX 76009 Kevin: 817-822-7109 • Jessica: 817-822-7402 Kevin@m6ranch.com • www.m6ranch.com

Grade Prime

614-778-2422

Upcoming Events

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

MARCH

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

Cattleman’s Kind Bull Sale:

Simmental & SimAngus Bulls

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba

When: 10 a.m.

Stocker & Feeder Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba

When: 11 a.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

Express Ranches: Annual Spring Bull Sale

Where: Yukon, Oklahoma

When: 12 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 “Cattleman’s Opportunity”

Spring Replacement Female Sale

Where: Nixon Livestock Comm., Nixon

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

R.A. Brown Ranch: Bull Sale

Where: Throckmorton

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

Lone Star Angus: Spring Bull Sale

Where: Gainesville

Wichita Falls Luncheon

Where: McBride’s Steakhouse, Wichita Falls

When: 11:30 a.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10 -

SATURDAY, MARCH 25

Rodeo Austin

Where: Austin

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

Stocker & Feeder Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba

When: 10 a.m.

Cavender’s Neches River Ranch Bull Sale

Where: Jacksonville

When: 12 p.m.

Nipp Charolais: 14th Annual Spring Bull Sale

Where: Wilson, Oklahoma

When: 1 p.m.

Express Ranches: Annual Honor Roll Sale

Where: Yukon, Oklahoma

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

Ranching 101: The Grazing Plan

Where: Online

When: 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15

2 Bar Angus: Bull Sale

Where: Hereford

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

GKB Cattle & Barber Ranch: Spring Bull Sale

Where: Desdemona

When: 12 p.m.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

Replacement Female Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba

When: 10 a.m.

Muleshoe Ranch: Annual Range Ready Bull Sale

Where: Breckenridge

When: 10 a.m.

44 Farms: Spring Abilene Sale

Where: Abilene

When: 12 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

Knox Brothers Bull Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba

When: 10 a.m.

Briggs Ranches: Texas Alliance Sale

Where: Bloomington

When: 11 a.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 24

Olson Land & Cattle: Annual Bull & Female Sale

Where: Hereford

FRIDAY, MARCH 24SUNDAY, MARCH 26

Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo

Where: Fort Worth

SATURDAY, MARCH 25

Littlerobe Angus Ranch: Annual Sale

Where: Higgins

When: 1 p.m.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

Double Creek Farms: Bull & Female Sale Where: Clifton

APRIL

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

Gardiner Angus Ranch: 44th Annual Production Sale

Where: Ashland, Kansas

When: 9 a.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 6

Special Bull Offering, Featuring STS Ranger Registered Angus Bulls

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba

When: 10 a.m.

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

American Black Hereford

Association: Southern Classic Sale

Where: Henderson

When: 5 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

Spring “Best of the Best”

Replacement Female Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba

When: 10 a.m.

MONDAY, APRIL 17

Jorgensen Land & Cattle: 51st Annual Bull Sale Where: Ideal, South Dakota

When: 1 p.m.

TUESDAY, APRIL 18

Ranching 101: Adding Value to Your Calf Crop’s Bottom Line

Where: Online

When: 1 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

Lesikar Ranch: 11th Annual “Back to Basics” Female Sale

Where: Athens

Cavender’s Neches River Ranch

Female Production Sale

Where: Jacksonville

TUESDAY, APRIL 25 -

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Hemphill County Beef Conference

Where: Canadian

FRIDAY, APRIL 28

Express Ranches: Annual Grass Time Sale

Where: Yukon, Oklahoma

When it comes to a PRF policy, planning matters, we will be speaking at the convention, How PRF Really Works, on Friday from 9:00 to 9:30. This will be an in-depth look into everything PRF. You may also come by our booth 431 and visit with us and let us show you the SCI difference.

I have been working PRF for years and truly understand how it works best in the wet and dry years. Personally, and professionally, I can confidently advocate for this product. PRF can work incredibly well if it is set up correctly. If you have heard of PRF but were not sure how it worked, if you have tried it before but it didn’t pan out, or if you currently have it with someone else but are not really feeling its value…please, consider contacting me. I will be happy to talk with you and make sure you truly understand how it works. Then we can design a PRF policy to be the most beneficial for your individual operation.

MARCH 1923

Rope and ride. Artist Wallace Simpson drew this captivating cover of The Cattleman .

In this issue, the Bureau of Animal Industry reported growing interest in using purebred sires within cow-calf herds. A campaign, titled “Better Sires-Better Stock” led by USDA in various states, sought to encourage improving the quality of domestic animals.

In 1923, bureau records showed more than 9,000 livestock owners enrolled in the program. Each filed a written agreement to use purebred sires of good quality for all classes of livestock. The number of breeding animals owned by those enrolled totaled more than 1.1 million head.