Contact: Burt Rutherford    

Cattle Feeders Celebrate 35th Anniversary

             Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) is returning to its roots for its 2002 Annual Convention as it heads to Amarillo, the place where the Association was formed 35 years ago. 

            The TCFA 35^th Anniversary Convention will be Oct. 18-19 at the Amarillo Civic Center and will feature a streamlined format.  "We have a convention line-up designed to give cattle feeders maximum information quickly and efficiently," said TCFA President and CEO Richard McDonald.  "In one day, cattle feeders will hear a variety of speakers talk on a wide variety of topics designed to provide plenty of take-home knowledge.  And with a reduced registration fee, it will be a meeting that cattle feeders can't afford to miss."  

             The convention sessions will be Saturday, Oct. 19, beginning with a Morning General Session featuring TCFA Chairman Paul Engler, who will share his thoughts on the cattle feeding industry.  Then, Dr. Garry Adams with the School of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University will discuss "Meeting the Biosecurity Challenge," and Dr. Mike Galyean with Texas Tech University will offer thoughts on "Beef Production in Challenging Times."  The session will wrap up with Jim Whitt of Whitt Enterprises, who will sculpt a picture of the personal challenges facing cattle feeders in his talk, "Who's the Beef Industry?" 

            Lunch brings a special treat as Don Powell, former Amarillo banker and chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, offers his insights on the Washington D.C. political scene.  Then, TCFA will recognize the area's mayors and other civic leaders, thanking them for the strong partnership between cattle feeders and their communities for the past 35 years. 

            The Afternoon General Session brings a unique event to cattle feeders-top executives from the four major packers will be in one room, on one stage, to discuss their thoughts on the issues affecting the entire beef marketing chain.  "This has been a challenging year for cattle feeders and everyone who attends the TCFA Convention will welcome the chance for dialog with the top decision-makers at the four major packers," McDonald said.   "Cattlemen can never forget that we're in the business of producing a high quality, wholesome food product for consumers.  What the packers have to say will be of intense interest to everyone." 

            Cattle feeders will end the day with the Cattle Feeders Get Together, featuring a live auction for TCFA's Beef-PAC and dancing to the country swing sounds of Jody Nix and The Texas Cowboys.  "We have a full and informative day planned for cattle feeders," McDonald said, "and with a reduced registration fee of only $100, attending may be the best business decision this year."