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President’s Address...

published: March 5th 2010
by: Rosalee Coleman
source: ICA Of Texas

I was listening to Bill O’Reilly on Fox radio tonight as I drove home, and I was very pleased to hear him mention the animal activists in a critical way. He was speaking of how they are campaigning to have chickens gassed to death at slaughter, and what they really want is for us all to eat broccoli. That is the real truth, as we in the livestock business know. They would like to regulate us to death until we go out of business, and then everyone can get by on nuts and berries. They will never do that, but it is conceivable that they could run the price of beef up so high that many people could not afford it. The good news is that some of the news media is picking up on the message that HSUS is out to wreck animal agriculture, and is not really worried about saving the puppies and kitties of the world.
    In that vein, I was very impressed by the Texas Agricultural Summit that Bill Hyman, Verlin Callahan and I attended recently. It was held at the Lost Pines Resort out of Bastrop. It was headed by Commissioner of Agricul-ture Todd Staples, and featured an appearance by Senator John Cornyn. Representatives from every aspect of Agriculture that I know of were present, and we covered lots of ground. After a general assembly, we separated into groups that discussed Texas Water Policy, the future of rural Texas, State political issues and Federal political issues. Moderators then summarized our discussions for a final presentation to the whole group, so we were all able to hear the issues. One of the issues discussed in my group was the damage misguided environmentalists and animal rights activists can do and what we might do to counteract them. I hope they will continue to have a Summit meeting every year, or at least every other year.
    I left Bastrop and traveled to Palestine to visit with the ETICA folks and share a delicious meal and a very fun meeting. They end each meeting with a joke, which I think is an excellent idea. If I were a good joke-teller, I would retell the one I heard, but I will just tell you that it was very funny! Wesley Ratcliff has had to step down as President of ETICA, and also as our Director, because of conflicts posed by his appointment to the State FSA Board. This is an honor for him, and for ICA, and we will keep a seat warm for him until he can come back. Meanwhile, the new President is Jimmey Downe, and he will also be a new State Director. I was glad I was there to see him take office, and hope to see him at our March Director’s meeting.
    The program, given by Mr. Bobby Thurman, was also very good. He talked about two products that he handles, Bio-Gold and Bio-Red, which are organic microbial inoculants for the soil that promote plant growth and lessen the need for fertilizer. Hopefully Bobby will have a booth at our convention. If so, please stop by and talk to him. His company is Lawns Alive, Inc., and he is a real problem solver.
    After traveling from George West to Bastrop, to Palestine, and back to George West, I know a lot more about East Texas than I used to. Of all the little towns I went through, I thought Buffalo was one of the most attractive and inviting places that I saw. Maybe next time I go through there I will have time to stop.
    I was very pleased to read the announcement by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack that there would be a new framework for animal disease traceability (or animal ID). At this time it will only apply to animals moved in interstate commerce. It will be administered by the States and Tribal Nations rather than the Federal Government. It will encourage the use of lower cost technology, and will be implemented transparently through federal regulations and the full rule-making process. This mission statement is much more producer friendly, and is a welcome improvement over their previous attempt at a Federal program. I had reservations when Secretary Vilsack was appointed, but he has impressed me with his support of MCOOL and now this new, friendlier approach to animal ID. Let’s hope it continues.
    Some of you may know that Roy (Gus) Wheeler, one of our past-presidents, is ill, and has been in the Nix Hospital in San Antonio for several months. I know he would appreciate a card or a call. The address for the Nix is 414 Navarro, San Antonio, Texas, 78205, and the phone number for patient information is (210) 271-1800. Until next time, Rosalee