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TSCRA Frequently Asked Questions
History
General
Membership
Magazine
Insurance
Law Enforcement
Q:
I think my great-great grandfather/uncle/cousin was a big
rancher back in the 1800s, is there any way to find out what
his brand was, or if he was a member?
A:
As for the brand, the answer is no because all we have on file
are the currently registered brands. As for the membership – in
the early years, meeting minutes list all of the members. The
minutes are kept in the library at the headquarters office. They
are available for onsite research by appointment. The
Cattleman magazine has an index of members that have been in
the magazine, so it could be a resource.
Q:
Are there minutes to cattle raisers meetings that I can get?
A:
Yes. The minutes cannot leave our library, but anyone is welcome
to come and review them.
Q:
How many cows can I run on my place?
A:
A great information source is fellow TSCRA members. As a member
of TSCRA, there are area social and educational meetings you can
attend to network with other producers. Another source of
information is your County Extension Agent (CEA). Contact
information can be found at Texas Cooperative Extension’s (TCE)
website at
http://texasextension.tamu.edu. Or, if the question is
from Oklahoma, try
http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/ and
http://www.noble.org/
Q:
How can I learn more about getting into the cattle business?
A:
Join TSCRA!
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You learn from information mailed to your doorstep in our
trade publication – The Cattleman magazine.
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Members get a discount on our annual School for Successful
Ranching.
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Use fellow TSCRA members as a resource. Meet them at area
Beef Quality Assurance programs, social events and
educational programs.
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Another source of information is your CEA. Contact
information can be found at TCE website at
http://texasextension.tamu.edu. Or, if from
Oklahoma, try
http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu and
http://www.noble.org/
Q:
What is my land worth to rent for grazing/hunting -- $$/acre? I
am going to lease or lease out some pasture.
A:
A great information source is fellow TSCRA members. As a member
of TSCRA, there are area social and educational meetings you can
attend to network with other producers. Another source of
information is TAMU’s Real Estate Center – call 979-845-2031or
go to their website at
http://recenter.tamu.edu/ or, if you live in Oklahoma, try
http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/ and
http://www.noble.org/
MEMBERSHIP
Q:
Can I get a copy of TSCRA’s membership list?
A:
TSCRA respects and protects the privacy of our members. In the
interest of confidentiality, we do not give out our membership
list.
Q:
TSCRA is just for the big ranchers and they aren't concerned
with the little guy.
A:
Not true. TSCRA welcomes small-acreage producers.
More than half of our
membership have fewer than 100 head of beef cows and TSCRA is
dedicated to meeting the needs of these producers. Our greatest
potential for growth is in this category of membership.
Q:
Do I have to own any land to be a member?
A:
No. Membership is not based on land ownership,
Q:
I'm just leasing out pasture right now. Can I be a member?
A:
Of course. Our first membership category is for 0 to 50 head at
$90/year.
Q:
How should I assess the number of head for my dues?
A:
If you are a cow/calf operator, easy – just tell us the number
of head of momma cows. If you are a stocker/yearling operation
where cattle are on wheat or pasture for about 6 months, sign up
half of what you run annually.
Q:
What can the Association do for me?
A:
TSCRA is in the business of protecting the stewards of land and
livestock in the Southwest. We address the challenges of our
industry with law enforcement, insurance, publications,
conventions/meetings, school/education, and public affairs.
Q:
I just have horses. Can I still be a member?
A:
Yes. Assess the number of head of horses for your dues.
Q:
There's a sign on a fence out on 1234 FM Rd and we want to fish
their tank or get in touch with them. How do I contact them?
A: We respect and
protect the privacy of our members so we don’t give out our
members’ contact information. The interested party could leave a note
on the gate, or if the member can be identified, TSCRA could
pass on the request with contact information of the interested
party.
Q:
I've been paying $25 and receiving a magazine for years. That
means I am a member, right?
A:
No. You can subscribe to the magazine without being a member. If
you are interested in membership benefits, we can prorate what
you have left on your subscription and deduct that from
membership dues.
Q:
How do I find out who produces Hereford/Brangus/etc. in my area?
A:
Check out the Breeders Bulletin Board toward the back of the
magazine each month or see the
Seedstock section of this Web site. If you don't find what
you're looking for there, consider getting in touch with that
breed association for more information.
Q:
Where can I find more information on the cover
picture/painting/drawing of The Cattleman this month? Do
you sell prints?
A:
The cover artist or photographer changes monthly. Contact our
editor for information and for reprint sales.
Q:
Can you send me a copy of this month's magazine?
A:
We can send you one complimentary issue along with a membership
application or a subscription form so you can receive it in the
future.
Q:
Can I reprint an article I saw in your magazine in my local
newspaper?
A:
We are happy to share information with more readers. If the
article was written by a staff member (see a list on page 5 of
each issue), then feel free to reprint the information and give
credit to The Cattleman. If it was written by a
non-staffer, then we'll be glad to check with the writer for
that permission for you.
Q:
How do I contact the author of a particular article?
A:
Contact the editor and she’ll pass your message onto the writer,
or get the writer in touch with you.
Q:
Can TSCRA get me better rates than what I have?
A:
TSCRA will do its best to find the best policy with the best
possible rates for its members. TSCRA has some products that
offer discounts to members and others do not. However, with
TSCRA, you receive service from a fully licensed professional
staff. Call TSCRA’s insurance staff to have them research rates
for you.
Q:
Do I have to have cattle to get insurance with TSCRA?
A:
No, you just need to be a member.
Q:
What kinds of insurance does TSCRA offer?
A:
TSCRA offers every type of coverage from medical, dental,
medicare, and long-term care. We also have property liability
and workers compensation through our relationship with EDWW in
San Antonio, TX.
Q:
The market inspection fees I pay at the auction pay for my
Special Rangers services, right?
A:
No. Market inspection fees are assessed to cover the costs of
operation of the market inspection program. Some of those costs
include: salaries; printing of inspection forms; insurance; data
entry; data retrieval; oversight and supervision of inspectors;
audits; travel, and other administrative costs. TSCRA could not
provide a market inspection program that helps protect ALL
producers without the market inspection fee.
Q:
I'm not a member, but I had some cattle stolen. Will the
Special Rangers still help me? Or, what's the advantage of being
a member since you have to work on my case anyway?
A:
Yes. Because our Special Rangers are authorized by the state,
they are obligated to work cases for non-members as well as
members. However, know that the TSCRA membership pays to employ
these men. We need your membership to help pay the cost of
doing business or else the service will cease to exist. Last
year our 29 inspectors recovered $6 million in stolen cattle,
horses, equipment, tack and other agricultural property.
Q:
How do I register my brand?
A:
You register your brand with the county clerk in the county
where the cattle/horses are pastured. The county clerk forwards
a copy of the brand registration to TSCRA where it is put into a
brand database. In Oklahoma, you register your brand with the
Oklahoma Cattleman's Association in Oklahoma City.
Q:
Does TSCRA freeze brand horses?
A:
Occasionally, TSCRA will host a branding. However, if the
request is to have someone come to their place to brand horses,
they should contact their local vet.
Q:
I just bought a horse that they said it is from Texas; his brand
is “xyz”. Can you tell me where he came
from?
A:
No. The same brand can be registered in multiple Texas counties
and states by different owners.
Q:
There's a sign on a fence out on 1234 FM Rd and they have cattle
out. What do I do?
A:
Because this is a public safety issue, you need to contact the
local sheriff’s office.
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