Computerized database helps drive down cattle theft
Armed with a clipboard, Robert Ware, a market inspector for more than three decades with TSCRA, jots down each animal's particulars at an auction barn. Color, sex, horns or no horns, age, brand and distinctive ear marks. The paperwork tracking cattle sales is vital to prosecution and recovery of reported stolen animals, a problem that's nearly tripled in the past year in Texas and Oklahoma, according to figures kept by TSCRA. more

Vilsack open to mandatory livestock traceback
The U.S. may need to consider mandatory participation in a livestock traceback system, but insight must first be gathered from opponents of the idea, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Friday. "What I'm hoping to do is get a system, whether it's voluntary or mandatory ... that works," he said. more

Make work easier with auto-steer cattle
A basic understanding of bovine instinct — not training — and a willingness to re-arrange things in the working barn can help get cattle weighed, tagged and out the door quicker and easier. more

Cattlemen's Capitol Concerns, 3-26-09
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.
          PLC hosts 2009 Spring Legislative Conference
          NCBA supports legislation to provide tax equity for the self-employed
          NCBA urges support for Conservation Easement Tax Incentive Act
          PLC and NCBA submit comments on EQIP
         

Don't miss NCBA's award-winning Cattlemen to Cattlemen
On the episode airing the week of March 31 - April 4, head back to Washington, DC to hear from members of Congress about the estate tax and visit the University of Arkansas to learn about proper methods for de-worming cattle. Also, hear tips on how to manage your credit during these tough economic times. 

NCBA’s Cattlemen toCattlemen on RFD-TV provides weekly news and features for cattle producers across the country. The show is now an hour long and 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 any time online at www.CattlementoCattlemen.org.

Calendar
        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 2-4―Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse Adoption, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Possee Arena, Albuquerque, N.M. more
        April 9―Hill Country Wildlife Management Field Day, Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Mason, Texas. more
        April 9―Feral Hog Biology, Control & Management Seminar "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly", Somervell County Expo Center, Glen Rose, Texas. more
       April 23―Producing "Efficient" Cattle During "Tough" Times: Bull Selection/Management, Pontotoc Extension Office, Ada. Okla. more
        April 25―"Operation No Fences" volunteer relief effort, Southeast Texas. more
        May 9―Tri-County Beef Cattle Field Day, Boysville, Converse, Texas. more
        May 14―Producing "Efficient" Cattle During "Tough" Times: Improving Marketability and Value of Calves, Pontotoc Extension Office, Ada. Okla. more
        May 26―Advanced Topics in Wildlife Management: Introduction and Ecosystems, Miami Community Center, Miami, Texas. more
        June 17-19―TSCRA Summer Meeting, La Torretta Del Lago, Montgomery, Texas. more
        June 30―Advanced Topics in Wildlife Management: Weather and Climate; Panhandle Plants, Hemphill County Exhibition Center, Canadian, Texas. more
        July 14-18―NCBA Summer Conference, Denver, Colo. more
        July 28―Advanced Topics in Wildlife Management: Rangeland Ecology and Management, Miami Community Center, Miami, Texas. more
        July 31-August 2―Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association 56th Annual Convention and Trade Show, Midwest City, Okla. more
        August 3-5―A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, College Station, Texas. more
        August 13―Producing "Efficient" Cattle During "Tough" Times: Cow Herd Performance Testing and Record Keeping, Pontotoc Extension Office, Ada. Okla. more
        August 25―Advanced Topics in Wildlife Management: Wetland Ecology and Management, Hemphill County Exhibition Center, Canadian, Texas. more
        Sept. 29―Advanced Topics in Wildlife Management: Analyzing the Effects of Management Decisions, Miami Community Center, Miami, Texas. more
        Sept. 30-Oct. 2―TSCRA Fall Meeting, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Austin, Texas. more
        Oct. 20―Advanced Topics in Wildlife Management: Analyzing Trends in Wildlife Populations, Hemphill County Exhibition Center, Canadian, Texas. more

TSCRA Government Connection Web site
TSCRA has 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.

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