TSCRA Talk

Hannah Fuerniss, manager of nutrition and health with the Texas Beef Council, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss the role of beef in a balanced diet. Fuerniss discusses the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a joint report from USDA and the Health and Human Services Department, which is meant for nutrition and health professionals who can then make decisions and recommendations with the intention of improving overall health for individuals and family in the U.S. She shares that there is great news for beef as the report recognizes that lean meat can support a healthy lifestyle, and that the nutrients found in beef are essential at every life stage. 

The latest guidelines are segmented into life stages with more specific recommendations provided for each group. Fuerniss highlighted that several life stages such as pregnant women, babies and toddlers, teen girls and older adults are at risk of deficiency of many nutrients that are readily available in beef such as iron, zinc, protein, B vitamins and choline. Through the conversations Fuerniss goes into detail about feeding beef to babies as a first food, consuming beef during the adolescent years and the importance of beef for adults as well. 

Coleman Locke and his son, John Locke, of the J.D. Hudgins ranch in Hungerford, TX join TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss operating a multi-generational ranch. As a fifth-generation family member at the ranch, Coleman likens working with different generations of family to a marriage – communication is vital. John, who is part of the sixth generation working on the ranch, says that succession and transition of the business is one of the biggest challenges in agriculture. He encourages listeners to step outside of themselves and into the other persons shoes as each person is in a different stage of life and has had different experiences. 

Learn the family customs, Coleman encourages; understand the history of the ranch, the things that have worked and the things that haven’t worked, and become very acquainted with what is going on to see how it can be improved upon. Similarly, John shares that with the current challenges to ranching the energy and creativity of the young people can prove beneficial. 

Additionally, John notes the value of seeking out professional help with lawyers and accountants but also a mediator to help walk through family dynamics.  

A special thanks to our sponsor – Redd Summit Advisors. 

Links: 

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Jay Evans, chair of the TSCRA water subcommittee, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, with an update on important topics for cattlemen and landowners concerning water. Evans starts by commenting that drought tends to put a spotlight on water and the need for clean, usable water. He talks about the Texas Produced Water Consortium formed during the 2019 Texas Legislative Session, which is focused on studies to use produced water, and the conversations around the ownership of the groundwater. 

Additionally, Evans discusses the Texas Supreme Court’s decision around jurisdiction to decide disputes over ownership of water rights, the proposed construction of Lake Ringgold and critical habitat. Closing out the episode, Evans talks about the United States Supreme Court’s decision to hear Sackett v. EPA, allowing the court to re-examine its decision from the Rapanos case in 1986; this could be the final say in the WOTUS definition and simultaneously take WOTUS out of the hands of the Executive Branch. 

In episode 29 of TSCRA Talk, Brent Smith, Kinney County Attorney and third-generation rancher, joins host, Kristen Brown, to share his experience both personally and professionally with the crises on the border.

Smith describes the current state in the county as an active invasion with the high-speed smuggling cases, bailouts and helicopters flying day and night trying to apprehend illegal immigrants. He notes that the border patrol’s report for the month of April included 234,000 apprehensions which is estimated to be only 10-12% of the total people who crossed the border.

Everyday life of the area ranchers has drastically changed he says as trespassing is a daily occurrence, which means the ranchers must check fence constantly as well as ensure their livestock water has not been vandalized. Additionally, hunting leases have been impacted by the foot traffic and the lack of safety on the ranches.

As a solution to the current problem, Smith encourages that Governor Abbott evoke the power of article 1 in the constitution which provides governors the power to protect their own borders when the federal government fails to do so; doing so would force all entries to go through a port as is supposed to be done.

Smith shares, “It’s like Texas is on the operating table with a gunshot wound and we are trying to put Band-Aids on it, and we are bleeding out."

Jon DeClerck, a cattle consulting nutritionist for Purina Animal Nutrition, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss the planning that goes into a successful breeding season. 

DeClerck highlights the fact that reproduction is the number one factor that effects profitability at the ranch. He discusses having the right nutrition available for cows throughout the year to increases the opportunity for the cow to be successfully bred and raise her calf. When it comes to bulls, he encourages a year-round mindset and planning ahead to ensure they are in top shape to do their job during breeding season. 

Additionally, DeClerck discusses the importance of a defined breeding season of 60-90 days to optimize production efficiency and ensure resources are going to the cows that are most productive. Along those lines, he also mentions the importance of good record keeping as the memory isn’t always reliable. 

AgriLife Extension assistant professor and economist Justin Benavidez joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss the ins and outs of selling beef directly to consumers. He shares that there are risks and rewards for producers who engage in the direct selling process, which he goes into detail about through the conversation. 

Benavidez recommends starting with a business plan that first outlines the goals of the producer in order for success to be measured and to ensure the production model can fulfill the goals. Additionally, the business plan should include the partners to work with throughout the supply chain and specific licenses that will be required, which he discusses in detail. Benavidez says that to be in this business profitably, planning is vital before any steps are taken to execute the plan.  

The conversation includes Benavidez sharing his insight on starting small and simple as well as building to a large scale and the considerations that need to be made through the process. 

Benavidez, along with Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, are in the final stages of producing a book that will cover the legal and economic aspects of direct marketing beef. They will also be hosting workshops on the topic as well later in 2022. 

TSCRA Special Ranger Marvin Wills joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to share a few of his most memorable cases over the last 14 years, as well as tips to prevent cattlemen from becoming the victim of a crime.

Wills explains the importance of staying vigilant with livestock and property, which includes keeping a record of all equipment VIN numbers and having contracts on all partnerships. He stresses the importance of knowing your neighbors–have their phone number and contact them if something out of the norm is noticed. 

As technology has increased so have the crimes committed through online transactions Wills says. He encourages cattlemen to talk to the real person who is selling livestock or equipment online and to not provide payment until it has been delivered and inspected. 

Wills reminds listeners to brand their cattle. Tune in to hear about the crimes committed by two criminals who devised a plan after meeting in prison.

Dr. Ben Espy, a veterinarian with an extensive equine-focused practice, joins TSCRA Talk host, Kristen Brown, to discuss equine wellness tips. In addition to being the King Ranch veterinarian, Espy cares for professional roughstock and timed event horses. For 25 years, he has served as  the head of veterinary services at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. He was awarded the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association's Veterinarian of the Year award for 2021.

Espy discusses the importance of a vaccination program for all horses at the ranch, especially if some horses are leaving for competitions and then returning without a quarantine period. Hoof care and teeth floating are also discussed, with Espy suggesting that a variety of factors be considered when it comes to human intervention. 

When it comes to equine nutrition and body condition he shares that a horse can only gain three pounds per day and it takes about 100 pounds of body weight to see a change in the horse; therefore, time must be given to the horse for the change to happen. 

Wrapping up the episode, Grace Dunham, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association's executive director of events and partnerships, joins Brown to discuss the upcoming Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo. The event will be held March 25-27 in Fort Worth. Dunham shares President George W. Bush will be the keynote speaker in a fireside chat with Red Steagall. 

Additionally, there are new components being added to the convention including a graduate research poster showcase and a learning lounge where speakers from the School for Successful Ranching will be available to answer additional questions. Another new event is the After Party Saturday night for the young and young at heart to continue to visit and two-step. 

To learn more about the Cattle Raisers Convention and Expo, visit cattleraisersconvention.com. 

Sustainability expert Myriah Johnson joins TSCRA Talk host Kristen Brown to discuss three components that make up the broad scope of sustainability — environmental, economics and social. Later in the conversation, Johnson shares about ongoing research to continue to strive for improvement in terms of sustainability.

Digging deeper into the environmental pillar of sustainability, Johnson explains it includes greenhouse gases, water, ecosystems but, often, each topic overlaps with another pillar. The economic pillar focuses on the financial viability of each level of the industry but also includes how the local economy is impacted by the beef industry as well as the generational transfer of cattle operations which keeps working lands working. The social pillar encompasses health and nutrition of beef as well as the mental health component of beef producers.

Johnson shares that a lot of current research is focused on the social pillar as that has been an under-studied area. Community security is a specific topic that is being evaluated as researchers look at the ways in which ranchers contribute to their communities and, in turn, what ranchers need from a community.

Wrapping up the episode, Johnson says that continued conversations about sustainability are important because consumers are asking questions and it is also a great way to continue to improve the industry. Resources to learn more include beefitswhatsfordinner.com and beefresearch.org.

Jeremy Fuchs, director of policy communications and government relations at Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, joins TSCRA Talk host Kristen Brown to discuss the legislative happenings in 2021. Fuchs shares that the second and third special legislative session in Texas produced productive funding for border security and COVID relief funds to help with rural broadband infrastructure and rural hospitals. Redistricting was an important component and Fuchs says with the growing populations of Texas in urban areas it’s important for rural communities to keep their voice. 

Additionally, Fuchs discusses the government relations team’s work monitoring state and federal agencies rules and regulatory framework that has been proposed. Two significant items include the infrastructure bill that passed and has been signed by President Biden and the Build Back Better plan, which, as of recording time, had not yet moved to the Senate. Fuchs debunks a tax myth about the Build Back Better plan and says that the bill has already been cut down to about half the original cost which eases a lot of concerns about taxes. With the change in administration this year Fuchs talks about a variety of other issues that they have been monitoring. 

Closing out the episode, Brown asks Fuchs to share two topics that cattlemen and landowners need to be aware of in 2022. Tune in to hear his response.