TCFA ANNOUNCES TOP 10 NEWS STORIES
FOR 1999

For the first time in several years, cattle feeders have something to look forward to, according to TCFA President & CEO Richard McDonald. Speaking during the annual Year-End News Conference at the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) office today, McDonald announced the Association's list of the Top 10 news stories that affected the industry in 1999.

"Beef demand was by far the top story for cattle feeders this year," McDonald said. "Beef demand was up in 1999-the first time we've seen an uptick in consumer demand for beef in 20 years."

McDonald said one factor contributing to healthy beef demand this year was the industry's strong push using checkoff dollars to help market heat-and-serve beef products. "These products take cuts like chuck and round roasts and make them quick and convenient for busy consumers to enjoy," he said. "It appears consumers appreciate a tasty beef meal they can have on the table in less than 10 minutes, and we're seeing the positive effects of that in the cattle market."

Here, according to McDonald, are the top stories that affected the cattle feeding industry this year:

2. Heat and serve beef products hit the market in 1999, to the delight of consumers and cattlemen alike. These convenient meals contributed to the surge in beef demand.

3. Mandatory fed cattle and beef price reporting legislation passed. TCFA is concerned the legislation will place a downward bias on fed cattle prices.

4. TCFA strongly objected to direct government subsidies to hog producers because subsidized hog production could be detrimental to beef producers.

5. Mexican government slapped duties on U.S. beef, in a move that was believed to be a response to unsuccessful anti-dumping petitions filed against Mexico by R-CALF.

6. The Livestock Marketing Association submitted 125,788 signatures to USDA requesting a referendum to terminate the checkoff.

7. The International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled against R-CALF in a dumping case filed against Canadian cattlemen. ITC said that while dumping had occurred, no material injury resulted to U.S. cattlemen. R-CALF also lost an appeal on an ITC rejection of a dumping case it filed against Mexico.

8. USDA and EPA continued work on a strategy to guide state and federal environmental regulations for animal feeding operations.

9. The European Union failed to open its market to U.S. beef by the May 13 deadline, causing the WTO to allow the U.S. to impose 100% tariffs on a list of EU products totaling $116.8 million.

10. The U.S. and China reached a trade agreement that paves the way for China to become a major export market for U.S. beef.

1. A consolidated marketing concept that keeps independence alive while providing unity of effort received strong support from members. The concept focuses on negotiated pricing and is value based.

2. TCFA earned the industry's Brand Mark for use on its Beef Safety and Quality Assurance (BSQA) Program. The BSQA Program is the first to include HACCP principles.

3. TCFA scored many victories in the Texas legislative session, including more realistic environmental regulations, electricity deregulation, incentives for value-added processing and increased funding for water conservation.

4. TCFA initiated improvements to its M-Net market information system by e-mailing market information to feedyards.

5. In an effort to help Feedyard Members remain competitive, TCFA commissioned a study that reduced property taxes.

6. TCFA's Beef-PAC enjoyed a record-setting year, taking in more contributions than ever before. Beef-PAC is an important part of TCFA's overall efforts in the political arena.

7. Cooperating with economic development specialists, TCFA increased efforts to attract value-added beef processing to Cattle Feeding Country.

8. TCFA filed friend of the court briefs with the Texas Supreme Court on cases involving free range and water laws. In both cases, the High Court found in favor of TCFA's positions.

9. TCFA's Workers' Comp Group Insurance Program continues to reduce costs for members.

10. The Cattle Feeders Annual and TCFA Newsletter won national awards for excellence.

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