Northeast Texas ranchers to form Independent Cattleman's Association chapter
ICA's executive director to 'follow up' soon to establish group's admnistration

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

October 18, 2001 -- About 20 producers signed up to form the newest chapter within the Independent Cattlemen's Association following an organization meeting in late September near Sulphur Springs.

"As far as the status for a Northeast chapter of ICA, everything is a go," noted Shane Sklar, ICA's executive director, on Oct. 4. "We had some conversations with folks from the meeting who would like to do the legwork to get an ICA chapter going in the Sulphur Springs area. We will have a follow up meeting within the next six weeks to establish the administration of this new group."

ICA is a grassroots organization devoted to advocating industry views and providing services that will boost its members' bottom lines and improve their livelihood. Educational meetings about trends, technology, insurance programs, and offering continuing education credits are developed with the ICA member in mind.

The organization operates with an executive board and a board of directors. The state staff is headed by Matt Brockman who serves as the executive director.

With the establishment of a Northeast Texas chapter, "ICA will have local representation from Sulphur Springs down to Zapata (South Texas)," Sklar added.

The East Texas region has an ICA chapter which meets monthly in Palestine. The East Texas chapter is headed by Jack Thomason.

In interest of beginning a Northeast Texas chapter, about 75 producers and agribusiness leaders attended the organization meeting held Sept. 27 at Donald Brown's ranch, according to Dwyatt Bell, president of AgriLand, Farm Credit Services. AgriLand, along with Merial, sponsored the meeting which invited "progressive" beef producers from the region to attend.

ICA had "targeted" Northeast Texas "because of the producers' innovative and aggressive approach to improving beef production and it's commitment to the long-range goals of quality assurance in the industry," said Bell, who is also a board member of NETBIO.

"An awareness of area beef producer's commitment to the industry has been impacted by the success of the Northeast Texas Beef Improvement Organization (NETBIO)," he added. "... Policing the political arena of the industry is not a part of NETBIO's mission statement .... However, it does encourage beef producers to be involved in any trade organization that will represent its membership's best interest in the industry."

ICA's Sklar noted the organization believes a "grassroots representation aids in our efforts to lobby for every region of our state rather than just a select group of ranchers. Our association is committed to being the 'premier representative' for Northeast Texas ranchers and we appreciate their membership in our 27-year-old organization.

For more details about ICA or the establishment of a Northeast Texas chapter, contact Sklar at 512-620-0162.