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Independent Cattlemen’s Association Of Texas President’s Address

published: April 2nd 2010
by: Rosalee Coleman

I didn’t intend to talk about HSUS again this month, but I do have a particle of good news, so I want to share it. A racketeering lawsuit accusing the HSUS of corruption has been filed by Feld Entertainment and the Ringling Brother Circus. This is a landmark RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) case, and a jury will have the ability to put HSUS out of business once the evidence is shown. If we don’t see that, maybe we will see them pull their horns in a little and be reasonable. Stay tuned.
    A case that has already gone our way is one filed by Cody Easterday of Pasco, Washington, against COOL. Mr. Easterday stated that COOL would raise his operating costs at his feedlot, but the Judge ruled against him, thus supporting COOL. It is good to see the labels on beef in the supermarkets, albeit they are not very big. I would like to mention that H.E.B. is using all U.S. Product in their beef now, even their hamburger. That has to be good for the U.S. rancher.
    We had our Director’s meeting this week in Lockhart, and it was good to see everyone. Our Committees met and reported on various issues. Bill had bids to get our leaky roof fixed. We should be in pretty good shape once that is done. Of course there was some joking that it might jinx our current rainy spell--let’s hope not! Lots of plans are being made for the Convention, which will be in College Station this year. We should have a good crowd and I’m looking forward to it.
    Brian Malear, Sissy Mills, Jim Selman, Bill and I attended the dedication of the new Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in Gonzales on March l0. It was really a nice occasion. Even though this is a poultry diagnostic facility, we saw many of our ranching friends there. It seems that most, if not all, of those who raise chickens around Gonzales also have cattle.
    On March 20,  I attended the Roundup Cowboy Gathering in Seguin as the guest of Lynn and Sharon Tate. I was part of a three-woman panel called “Women of the West,” in which we recounted some of our ranching experiences through the years. Red Steagall entertained after we finished, and I am very glad we preceded him, rather than followed. Roundup Cowboy Gathering is an annual event, and benefits the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation. They offer lots of family activities in this one-day event, from Chuckwagon meals to Ranch Rodeo, with a “mutton bustin” thrown in, not to mention live western music all day long. It’s a great place to go, and benefits a worthy cause as well. I bought some raffle tickets, but no one has called, so I guess I wasn’t one of the lucky winners this time!
    The Texas-Cuba Trade Alliance will be holding a workshop on April 21st in Houston for anyone interested in selling products to Cuba. There will also be one in San Antonio in June, which I will attend. Possible products for sale to Cuba would be live cattle, semen, beef, rice, corn or wheat for starters. They are experiencing the same recession that we are right now, but hopefully we will all improve in the coming months. Until next time, Rosalee