Gov. Perry authorizes state assets to fight wildfires in Central Texas
Gov. Rick Perry has activated state resources to combat wildfires in Central Texas. These resources include four Texas Military Forces Blackhawk helicopters equipped to drop water and fire retardant, Texas Forest Service fire fighters and contract aircraft and heavy equipment. Since Jan. 1, 2009, 3,685 wildfires have burned 118,061 acres of land across the state. These fires have threatened 1,763 homes, firefighters have saved 1,630 homes, and 57 homes were lost. more

Farmers worry as parts of Texas are driest in U.S.
Parts of central Texas and the Hill Country — more that 8 percent of the state — are not only in exceptional drought — the most severe stage of dryness — but they are now the driest region in the country and the driest they have been since 1918. It is the only place in the U.S. experiencing exceptional drought. more

Protect your horses from rattlesnake envenomation!
Red Rock Biologics, the makers of the canine rattlesnake vaccine (Crotalus Atrox Toxoid) is currently enrolling horses in its Phase III (final) USDA safety trial for an equine rattlesnake vaccine.
In brief, the trial entails three doses of vaccine given, one month apart. Animals will be monitored by a veterinarian throughout the course of the study. Due to logistics, they are only able to enroll sites with 20 or more animals. Their goal is to vaccinate over 600 horses across the Southwest.
Participants will be compensated with an additional three doses of vaccine per animal that completes the study after USDA approval. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Jennifer Taylor or Laurel Moody at Red Rock Biologics ASAP by calling 866/897-7625 or email them at info@redrockbiologics.com. more

Crime Watch, 3-2-09: Thieves steal youth's trophy saddle
TSCRA Special Ranger John Cummings reports thieves took a trophy saddle won by a seven-year-old from a horse trailer Mannford, Okla., in January. He is also asking for information on the theft of a new custom horse trailer in Duncan, Okla. In that instance, the thief used a stolen check to steal the trailer. Special Rangers Ken Miniard and John Bradshaw are investigating the thefts of commercial cattle in Montague, Clay and Rains counties. more

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns, 2-20-09
Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns is National Cattlemen's Beef Association's (NCBA) weekly report from Washington, D.C., giving an up-to-date summary of top policy initiatives concerning the cattle industry.
          NCBA and PLC oppose Section 7 changes to Endangered Species Act
          Public Lands bill on hold
          Impact of U.S. and global economic woes on the cattle industry
          Merrigan tapped for deputy secretary of agriculture post
          USTR confirmation hearing to take place March 5

Don't miss NCBA's award-winning Cattlemen to Cattlemen
On the episode airing the week of March 3-7, visit a graded calf sale in central Virginia and meet one of the national Beef Quality Assurance Award winners. NCBA is also proud to introduce their newest partner, Baxter Black! Join them each week for Baxter Black's wit and wisdom.

NCBA’s Cattlemen toCattlemen on RFD-TV provides weekly news and features for cattle producers across the country. It airs every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time, with repeat episodes on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Sundays at midnight (all times Eastern). It is also available online at www.CattlementoCattlemen.org.

Calendar
        March 3―Watershed Protection Training Program, Pridgeon Community Center, Franklin, Texas. more
        March 4―Urban Wildlife Management Conference, Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center Pavillion, Dallas, Texas. more
        March 5-7―Advanced Prescribed Burn Workshop, Texas AgriLife Research Station, Sonora, Texas. more
        March 12―Cow-Calf Conference IV, Beaver County Fairgrounds, Beaver, Okla. more
        March 17―Producing "Efficient" Cattle During "Tough" Times: Benefits of "Efficient" Cattle, Pontotoc Extension Office, Ada. Okla. more
        March 20-22―TSCRA's 132nd Annual Convention and Trade Show, Fort Worth, Texas. more
        March 24-26―2009 Overton Pasture and Management Workshop, Texas Agrilife Research and Extension Center, Overton, Texas. more
        March 29-31―Quailmaster 2009, Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, Roby, Texas. more
        March 31-April 2―2009 Overton Pasture and Management Workshop, Texas Agrilife Research and Extension Center, Overton, Texas. more
        April 1―Lower Rolling Plains Ag Conference, Scurry County Coliseum, Snyder, Texas. more
        April 23―Producing "Efficient" Cattle During "Tough" Times: Bull Selection/Management, Pontotoc Extension Office, Ada. Okla. more
        May 14―Producing "Efficient" Cattle During "Tough" Times: Improving Marketability and Value of Calves, Pontotoc Extension Office, Ada. Okla. more
        August13―Producing "Efficient" Cattle During "Tough" Times: Cow Herd Performance Testing and Record Keeping, Pontotoc Extension Office, Ada. Okla. more

Introducing the TSCRA Government Connection Web site
TSCRA has launched a Government Connection Web page that allows you to play an active role in government as well as keep you informed on happenings in Austin and Washington. There, TSCRA members can communicate with elected officials, track the progress of legislation and regulations and check voting records. Please register on theTSCRA Government Connection website to receive alert emails from the TSCRA Government and Public Affairs team keeping you updated on the latest legislative and regulatory actions. more

Join TSCRA in Fort Worth for the 2009 Annual Convention and Trade Show March 20-22
Come to Fort Worth for TSCRA's 132nd Annual Convention and 34th Annual Trade Show! go

Country-of-Origin Labeling forms available
Cattle raisers have made forms available for download to help fulfill your part of the country-of-origin labeling (COOL) law. Visit TSCRA's COOL information Web site to download the forms and for more information. go