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Executive Director’s Report...

published: August 6th 2010
by: Bill Hyman
source: ICA Of Texas

The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel may not be a train after all; finally the prospects for Texas cow/calf producers are improving. Abundant rainfall, stable grain prices, solid beef demand and upwardly trending calf prices create a brighter future for cattlemen. While ranchers work to restock and rehabilitate drought-ravaged herds, our pastures are wearing their Sunday clothes. For Texas ranchlands to be green and flourishing in early August is the answer to five years of prayers. In the past, when we were facing drought, the cattle market was high and when we had adequate rainfall, the high feed prices caused by ethanol mandates broke our markets. Hopefully, we can take advantage of the current windfall and obtain a cushion for unknown future threats.
    Speaking of threats, as we get closer to the next session of the Texas Legislature, we cannot afford to let our guard down. Federally mandated redistricting is predicted to strip between four and six rural legislators from our representation in Austin. In order to counteract these losses, we must work twice as hard to ensure we maintain agriculture valuations for our farms and ranches. We must keep state bureaucrats from adding agricultural goods to the list of sales-taxed items. We must pull together with our rural allies to protect our private property from unfair eminent domain procedures. We must work together to maintain local control of our water resources and local matters. New agendas for voter identification and immigration will create additional problems for legislators as the session begins. Put all of this together with a state budget that will have a shortfall of approximately $15 billion, and you have an overwhelming puzzle to solve.
    Your telephone calls, emails, letters and visits to Austin will be vitally important to the welfare of all Texas ranchers. It will take a combined effort from every agriculture group to maintain status quo this next year. It will be a session to defend our position, our rights and our agriculture economy.  The 2010 ICA Cattle Drive will begin soon, and we urge each of you to do what you can. ICA uses the funds to advance the cause of agriculture and maintain our fragile ranching lifestyle. Unfortunately in today’s political world, just being right doesn’t always mean you get your way. We still have to work hard to have our voices heard and our values protected.
 Join us, support us and together we will make a difference.