FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Cattle Raisers represent beef industry at state
and national levels

FORT WORTH, Texas,  Jan. 9, 2008—Two beef producers nominated by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association were among 39 industry representatives recently appointed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board by U.S. Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner.  Leroy Ezer of Anahuac is a first-time appointee and Austin E. Brown III of Beeville was appointed for a second term.  They will serve three-year terms beginning Feb. 3, 2008.
            Ezer is managing partner of Canada Ranch, a commercial cow-calf operation on the Gulf Coast.  Brown is general manager of Brown Ranches, a family operation raising registered and commercial Hereford cattle.
            The board oversees collection of $1-per-head on all cattle sold in the United States, and $1-per-head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products. In addition, the board contracts with established national, non-profit, and industry-governed organizations to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications.
            The 104-member board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The agriculture secretary selects the appointees nominated by beef, veal, dairy and importer certified organizations. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service monitors operation of the board.
            The Texas Beef Council, headquartered in Austin, conducts the $1-per-head checkoff program for Texas beef producers. Its mission is to increase beef demand in the state through programs of beef promotion, education and research. TBC also helps fund national and international beef checkoff program to increase marketing opportunities for the entire U.S. beef industry.
            TBC board members representing TSCRA for 2008 include Crawford Edwards of Fort Worth, a commercial cattle operator, and newly-appointed vice chairman of the board; Linda Joy Stovall of El Campo, a commercial cattle operator and banker; and Dr. Richard Thorpe III of Winters, a cow-calf, stocker and feeder operator and physician.
            "We have long worked hand-in-hand with the Beef Board and Texas Beef Council," says TSCRA President Jon Means of Van Horn.  "In fact, TSCRA was very active and vocal in support of the Beef Promotion and Research Act back in the 80s.  We devoted volunteer leadership and staff to its passage.  Through the years, the checkoff has enabled beef producers to effectively increase beef demand through advertising, education and research programs."

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 130-year-old trade organization whose 15,000 members manage approximately 3.7 million head of cattle on 96.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma.  TSCRA provides law enforcement services, livestock inspection, legislative and regulatory advocacy and education opportunities for its members.

TSCRA–02-2008