ICA's Northeast Texas chapter organized

By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition

Elected as the Northeast Texas Independent Cattlemen's Association directors and officers are (from left) Don Brown, president; Henry Griffin; Mary Griffin, treasurer; Kregg Slakey, secretary; Dwyatt Bell, state director; Phil Sadler, first vice president; Lynn Melton; Greg Ragsdale, second vice president; and Dan Brown. -Staff photo by Cope

April 25, 2002 -- Those gathered for the first official organizational meeting for the Northeast Texas chapter of Independent Cattlemen's Association were treated to a barbecue dinner, a cattle herd health presentation, an organization update, and even a short speech by Tom Ramsay, candidate for Texas Agriculture Commissioner.

Starting with preconditioned calves, Dr. Glenn Rogers, a veterinarian with Pfizer Animal Health Group, detailed the differences in VAC 45 and a VAC 34 programs. Rogers noted the 45-day program is best for buyers, but the 34-day program is best for sellers.

Stressing health management of the calves at weaning, Rogers said calves need to be gaining a pound-and-a-half per day "to justify the extra costs" within a 45-day preconditioned (weaned, vaccinated, on feed) program.

The veterinarian also noted complete herd health management is significant to producers' profits.

A study, cited by Rogers, indicates one of the first key factors is colostrum intake for a baby calf. An "inadequate passive transition" study on a group of calves -- followed from birth to slaughter -- indicates the beef calves which did not receive adequate colostrum were nine times more likely to get sick at weaning, five times more likely to die at weaning, and three times more likely to get sick in the feedlot. Similarly, a group of dairy calves studied, the heifers which did not receive adequate colostrum were likely to give lower milk and fat levels at first milking.

Besides calves going through a preconditioning program, replacement heifers, and cows in the herd should be included in the vaccination program. "And don't forget the bulls," Rogers stressed. "This is an expensive animal, and hopefully one that will have a lot of contact with your cows."

More information cited by the veterinarian came from results of a Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) completed by individual beef producers. Those deemed "low cost producers" revealed they do not cut expenses are in bull price, herd health, and leased pastures. Rogers noted that being a low cost producer "doesn't mean you don't spend, but rather you strategically spend."

Brian Hinkel, an intern with ICA, told those at the meeting about the organization's views of what's going on in the Farm Bill negotiations regarding the cattle industry. On the country-of-origin labeling issue, Hinkel related that ICA feels the consumer has the right to know where the meat they purchase comes from. The bill stipulates the cattle must be in the United States for 100 days, but ICA feels the cattle should be U.S.-born, bred, and raised. On the "packer ban" issue, Hinkel stressed ICA feels vertical integration needs to be stopped.

Tom Ramsay, who recently won the Democratic bid for Texas Agriculture Commissioner, noted an organization such as ICA, which supplies a grassroots voice on ag and rural issues, is key. "I've talked about how important rural Texas is to urban Texas. ... If you consume food, you should be interested in who is ag commissioner."

Phil Sadler, one of the new Northeast Texas ICA director/officers, stated only 2 percent of the population is involved in fulltime agriculture. It's important to have a voice for agriculture to strive, and maybe survive. We can use this organization like this (ICA) as a voice for legislative issues (important to ag producers)."

Those present at the April 18 meeting, held at Don Brown's ranch in Saltillo, approved the new chapter bylaws and those nominated to be the founding directors and officers of the group. Directors who will serve as officers will be Don Brown, Hopkins County, president; Phil Sadler, Wood County, first vice president; Greg Ragsdale, Delta County, second vice president; Kregg Slakey, Delta County, secretary; Mary Griffin, Hopkins County, treasurer. Other directors are Lynn Melton, Van Zandt County; Dan Brown, Lynn Melton, Henry Griffin, Dwyatt Bell, all of Hopkins County. Bell was also elected to serve as a state director to represent the Northeast Texas chapter.