Executive Director’s Report...

Cattle Drive 2011 is halfway through and to tell you the truth, contributions are down. The ongoing drought is the culprit. Ranchers are reluctant to send funds for Cattle Drive when they remain uncertain about their ranching future; unfortunately the bureaucrats, the animal activists, and those who just plain want what is ours, are not resting. Recently HSUS sued Smithfield Farms for cruelly imprisoning gestating sows in farrowing crates. If I remember correctly many years ago we built the crates to stop the sows from crushing their little piglets. Evidently, now activists are worried more about the sows than the piglet. The activists know that piglets are the income source and most swine producers don’t make their living selling sows. The United Egg Producers have agreed to demands from activists to remove all laying hens from conventional cages within the next twenty years. Activists pushed through anti-horse slaughter laws and now we continue to be plagued with unwanted horses for which there is little or no market or reasonable disposal option. 

Can’t happen to us? Don’t believe it for one minute! Once we let our guard down the enemy will move in. I know times are really tough but if we don’t continue to stand up for our rights they will be diminished - or even worse, disappear. It is kind of like not voting and then complaining about who got elected. It is time to quit hoping that someone else will fight the battle for your rights and step up to the table.

The restrictions and rules we face now are bad enough but can you imagine how it would be if we had not been standing up in the past? If you ever wonder why you are required to wear a seatbelt in your truck but the guy passing you on a motorcycle is wearing a bandana instead of a helmet, it is because the American Motorcycle Association with over three million members lobbied to not be required to wear helmets.  Seems stupid, but there is a perfect example of “strength in numbers.” How about a government mandated percentage requirement for ethanol in each gallon of gasoline? 

When the Texas Animal Health Commission wanted to impose an inspection fee on cattle going through sale barns this year, ICA and other livestock groups banded together to save you money. When the Comptroller’s Office suggested a fee for the agricultural sales tax exemption number, once again we were there to disagree. When USDA wanted all livestock to be tagged with a radio frequency ear tag, costing the producer $3-4 per animal, we were there to complain. There are many other examples of what “could have been,” so when you decide if it is worth it to join ICA or donate to Cattle Drive, think about the alternative. Enjoy what you have but be ready to defend it.