The message I want to share with you this month is one of encouragement. A significant part of any leader's role is to be a cheerleader; to be encouraging; to be positive and provide hope of things improving.

I understand how you can be in a funk after the summer we have just lived through. All Texas Longhorn breeders across the country have been affected by the miserable economy of our country...some, more severely than others. In addition, many of you have suffered through unusually difficult acts of nature...destructive storms, flooding, drought and devastating fires. It is understandable that these things can cause you to feel overwhelmed and hopeless, and therefore, to retreat and withdraw from seeking the joyous aspects of life.

One of the most enjoyable parts of life - one from which we can draw the most healing is fellowship with our family...including our Texas Longhorn family. In less than two months, on October 20th through 22nd, the ITLA family will come together in a reunion at our 2011 Convention and Championship Show in Glen Rose, Texas. This is our opportunity to share time with friends, and seek healing from one another's fellowship and support. It will be a time for us to enjoy our beautiful animals, but more importantly, to enjoy and celebrate our blessings with our fellow Texas Longhorn breeders.

We have been planning for the Convention and Show for several months and will be presenting you the opportunity to have a superior experience doing what we all love to do, showing our cattle and enjoying our friends who share our interest in Texas Longhorn cattle. There is no better way for you to receive encouragement than from your friends; no better way to be encouraged than to encourage. So let me encourage you to act now and take the first step by getting your Convention registration and Show entry forms completed and mailed into the ITLA office. You can find the forms attached to this issue and you can also access them on the ITLA web site.

I am looking forward to seeing you in Glen Rose, and the opportunity to encourage you to look to our bright future. I pray for God's blessings on you and yours.

Regards,

Roger Hutton

EPA Declares Hay a Pollutant in Effort to Antagonize Small and Mid-Sized U.S. Cattle Feeders

September 1, 2011 Billings, Mont. - During his presentation on the status of the nation's new country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law, and on behalf of the R-CALF USA COOL Committee, R-CALF USA member and Kansas cattle feeder Mike Callicrate was asked a non-COOL question that set convention goers on their heels during the 12th Annual R-CALF USA Convention held August 26-27 in Rapid City, S.D.  

"Has the Environmental Protection Agency declared hay a pollutant?" an audience member asked.  Callicrate responded affirmatively and explained that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently initiated a formal enforcement action against his Kansas feedlot for, among other things, failure to store his hay in a pollution containment zone. "Now that EPA has declared hay a pollutant, every farmer and rancher that stores hay, or that leaves a broken hay bale in the field is potentially violating EPA rules and subject to an EPA enforcement action," Callicrate said. "How far are we going to let this agency go before we stand up and do something about it?" 

Callicrate is permitted to handle 12,000 cattle at a time in his feedlot, which is considered a small to mid-sized feedlot in an industry now dominated by mega-feedlots such as those owned by the world's largest beef packer - JBS-Brazil - with a one-time capacity of over 900,000 cattle; or the other mega-feedlot that also feeds hundreds of thousands of cattle at a time and is owned by the nation's second-largest beef packer - Cargill; or the other handful of mega feedlots with capacities of hundreds of thousands of cattle such as those owned by Cactus Feeders, Inc. and Friona Industries...  (continued)

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL R-CALF NEWS RELEASE 

Texas: Changes to Texas Cattle Trichomoniasis Regulations 

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) recently adopted changes to its cattle Trichomoniasis (Trich) rules. Trich is a venereal disease of cattle caused by protozoa that can cause abortions and infertility, subsequently causing economic losses for the producer. The cattle program is managed primarily through required testing of breeding bulls for the disease prior to change of ownership or entry into a herd. Interested producers, veterinarians and stakeholders provided suggestions to the TAHC over the previous year to help improve the Trich program. A TAHC Trich working group met in May to review the submitted suggestions and provided recommendations for the TAHC to consider. The working group suggestions that were accepted and recently passed by the TAHC went into effect on August 14. (continued) CLICK HERE to read the FULL NEWS RELEASE 

Submitted by Steve Paloncy

The Midwest Texas Longhorn Association held its 2nd Annual Qualifying Show on July 30th in Veedersburg, Indiana.

Stacy Workman of Gettysburg, PA judged the show and went way beyond merely selecting the winners. The public and even longtime longhorn breeders said they learned something from her wealth of knowledge.

Each year, members of the Midwest Texas Longhorn Association contribute their time, talents and knowledge of longhorn cattle to make this a safe, fun and educational weekend for everyone. "It's truly a cooperative effort" said Steve Paloncy, Perrysville, IN the show chairman for the event, "everyone in our organization along with their families worked very hard to make it successful and fun weekend".

This year's event started off with opening ceremonies which included the presentation of the flag by Gail Beach riding her steer Oliver. A special moment of silence was observed in memory of Beth Tomey. For many years Beth had organized events for both the Indiana and Ohio affiliates and helped many of our young members develop the skills of showmanship and love of longhorn cattle. We all miss her greatly...(continued)

 CLICK HERE for more PICS AND SHOW RESULTS