TSCRA Talk

Carl Ray Polk, TSCRA President, from Lufkin, Texas, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss his insight in the current challenges of ranching and the future of TSCRA. 

Polk’s passion for providing educational opportunities for cattlemen to thrive in the industry is evident. Two top priorities for Polk during his two-year tenure is to provide value for members is number one, keeping a close eye on numbers – both cattle inventory numbers and TSCRA membership numbers.  

Additionally, Polk shares about the TSCRA Disaster Relief Program that is currently accepting applications to support the recent wildfire victims as well as the TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation Working Grant Program.  

The latest research shows that consumers love beef! Jessica Finck, Ph.D., who works in the value chain and consumer affairs area of Merck Animal Health, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss the latest trends with consumers and beef.  

Finck discusses key factors that impact consumer buying decisions and how they have shifted in the current economic climate. She also breaks down top label claims that different generations look for at the grocery store. Specifically looking at the price of beef, consumers are seeking out cost-saving opportunities.  

In the comparison of beef and other proteins, Finck says that beef is still king. Wrapping up the episode, they discuss the market share of plant-based meats and eating styles including vegetarians and vegans.  

View the latest consumer research at https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/about-us/value-chain-and-consumer-affairs.  

Frank McLelland, vice president of the executive committee at the National Ranching Heritage Association, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to share about the museum and the latest addition – the Cash Family Ranch Life Learning Center.  

The museum encompasses 19 acres and includes 55 historic structures that capture the history of ranching for the past 200 years. McLelland shares that John R. Erickson and Hank the Cowdog serve as tour guides in the Ranch Life Learning Center, which gives visitors a hands-on experience of ranching.  

 
Additionally, McLelland shares a variety of events hosted by the National Ranching Heritage Association throughout the year that bring awareness to the ranching way of life as well as honoring ranchers and cattlemen who have significantly impacted the industry.  

Dr. Nathan Canaday, 6666 ranch horse division manager and resident veterinarian, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss the importance of properly caring for horses at the ranch which includes routine vaccination programs as well as hoof and teeth care. He emphasizes the value of working with a trusted veterinarian to make a management plan tailored to the work and goals of the ranch.   

Additionally, Canaday shares insight into cold and warm weather care which both include keeping horses well hydrated. Closing out the show he talks about tips for traveling with horses such as taking a vet bag of supplies and ensuring the pickup and trailer are in proper working order.  

Scott Williamson, TSCRA Executive Director of Law, Brand and Inspection Services, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss opportunity and awareness around the upcoming total solar eclipse taking place on April 8, 2024. As some ranches will open their gates to welcome visitors, he explains the importance of properly communicating expectations as well as having liability forms signed and the proper insurance in place. For those who do not plan to have guests at their ranch, Williamson discusses securing the property.  

While Williamson stresses the importance of not being fearful, he does share about the importance of having an emergency management plan that is communicated to employees and family, which can be put into place during weather emergencies or events that put a strain on resources.  

Additionally, Williamson encourages listeners to stay up-to-date on specific information from their area through their local city and county officials.  

James Clement, III, with EarthOptics joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, for a high-level discussion on the impact of carbon on the cattle industry. As a multi-generational rancher, Clement shares his experience with carbon sampling on a variety of land types during his time at the King Ranch which sparked his interest carbon and soil sampling.

Clement goes into the detail about the different segments involved in the carbon conversation. Through the conversation he shares how the misconception and negative view of cattle and the environment is shifting as large corporations have a strong interest in how and why cattlemen do what they do in taking care of the land and cattle, which is measured with facts through soil sampling and other technology.

As the carbon partnership with cattlemen and landowners continues to develop, Clement encourages cattlemen and landowners to engage in learning about carbon and joining the conversations to help develop the role of cattle in the carbon industry.

Kent Rollins, renowned chuck wagon cook, along with his wife, Shannon, join TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown to discuss their path in taking the history and heritage of ranching and beef to a national audience. Raised on the Red River near Hollis, Oklahoma, Kent grew up working cattle with area cowboys and learned the art of cooking with his mother at a young age.  

As opportunities arose, Kent cooked for cowboys on open fire across the U.S. which eventually led to numerous TV appearances on shows including “Throwdown with Bobby Flay, Chopped Grill Masters and NBC’s Food Fighters.” Kent and Shannon continue to share the cowboy way of life to the world through their YouTube channel and cookbooks.  

TSCRA executive director of government relations, Melissa Hamilton, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, with insight on three Propositions on the ballot for the November 7 election. Hamilton encourages cattlemen and landowners to vote yes on Propositions 1, 6 and 8. 

Hamilton shares that Proposition 1 - protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture and wildlife management – is vital to the future of our industry and, ultimately, the survival of our country. She stresses the importance of Texans making it a constitutional right, especially in the current environment of the changing demographics in the state. 

Proposition 6 – creating the Texas Water Fund to assist in financing water projects – has been a work in progress for many years Hamilton says, and will also be important to the future of cattlemen and landowners. 

Additionally, Proposition 8 – creating the Broadband Infrastructure Fund to expand high-speed access and assist in financing connectivity projects – is another topic that has been in the works for many years and continues to grow in importance with the growth and dependence on technology Hamilton explains. 

Hamilton stresses the importance of having conversations with family and friends about the upcoming election. 

Additional resources: 

Emily Lochner, executive director of engagement and education at Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and a seedstock producer, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, for an in-depth conversation about EPDs.  

Lochner shares the background on EPDs and how they have continued to evolve as gene technology improves through DNA analysis. She discusses the importance of evaluating the goals of the operation to know which EPDs will be impactful in the progeny.  

Additionally, Lochner goes into very practical information by detailing ways to evaluate EPDs of different breeds of cattle and using the Dollar Value Indexes to encompass end goals. 

Curt Pate, a renowned livestock handling clinician, join TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to share about his experiences that led him down the path of stockmanship at the ranch as well as his insight on the impact it has to the ranchers bottom line.  

Pate describes his childhood as incredible as he shares about growing up in Montana with family in a variety of segments of the livestock industry. He says he has always had a sensitive spot for animals and is always up for an adventure which led him to opportunities such as working on the set of the movie Horse Whisperer.  

He goes on the discuss the added value that comes to the rancher when proper cattle handling is common practice at the ranch. “Good cattle handling isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the only thing to do.”  

https://curtpatestockmanship.com/about/