TSCRA committee leaders have assembled an outstanding lineup of speakers to address the critical issues of ranching and to provide background information to assist in policy development at the TSCRA Policy Conference, Sept. 23 to 25, San Antonio.
Along with each committee session description, you will find an agenda and the expiring policies each committee will review. Please click the links to download the respective documents.

8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Marketing Committee
Topic: Risk Management for Ranchers
Speaker: Jack Cook, director of Commodity Research and Product Development, CME Group
Topic: Update on China and Cuba Exports
Speaker: Greg Hanes, assistant vice president of International Marketing & Programs, United States Meat Export Federation
Topic: Characteristics and Trends in Texas Cattle Auctions (Joint with Brand and Inspection Committee)
Speaker: Dr. Andy Herring, professor and section leader for Beef Cattle Science, Texas A&M University

Click Here for Agenda | See Policies for Review
Natural Resources & Environment Committee
Topic: Texas Wildfire Update and Forecast
Speaker: Tom Boggus, director, Texas A&M Forest Service
Topic: Waters of the United States Update
Report from the Water Sub-committee
Click Here for Agenda | See Policies for Review
Brand & Inspection Committee
Topic: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Drones in Law Enforcement and Farm/Ranch Applications
Topic: Characteristics and Trends in Texas Cattle Auctions (Joint with Marketing Committee)
Speaker: Dr. Andy Herring, professor and section leader for Beef Cattle Science, Texas A&M University
Click Here for Agenda

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Wildlife Committee
Topic: Texas Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Update
Speakers: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas Animal Health Commission
Click Here for Agenda

1:30 pm – 3:00 p.m.

Legislative & Tax Committee
Topic: Securing Private Property Rights
Speaker: Zach Brady, partner, Brady & Hamilton Attorneys and Counselors
Topic: Texas Surface Water Rights Update (TCEQ vs. Farm Bureau Case)
Speaker: Arthur Uhl, partner, Uhl, Fitzsimons, Jewett & Burton, PLLC
Topic: Federal and state issues update
Speaker: Laramie Adams, TSCRA
Click Here for Agenda | See Policies for Review
Animal Health Committee
Topic: Cattle Fever Tick History and Update on Texas Animal Health Commission’s Response to Recent Tick Expansion in Texas
Speaker: Dr. Dee Ellis, state veterinarian and executive director, Texas Animal Health Commission
Report from TSCRA Fever Tick Subcommittee
Click Here for Agenda | See Policies for Review

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Agricultural Research Committee
Topic: Addressing Beef Industry Research Needs
Speaker: Mandy Carr Johnson, senior executive director of Science and Product Solutions, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Click Here for Agenda

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Labor Committee
Topic: Addressing Beef Industry Research Needs
Speaker: Mandy Carr Johnson, senior executive director of Science and Product Solutions, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Click Here for Agenda

Save on Policy Conference Registration

If you are planning to attend the TSCRA Policy Conference there is still time to save money on your registration. If you register by Sept. 22, you can avoid on-site pricing.
On-site pricing is significantly higher than other registration options. If you will attend the TSCRA Policy Conference, please take a few minutes to register today by phone by calling 817-332-7064, or online.
Full and meetings-only registration options are available along with discounted student registrations. Individual tickets may be purchased for the luncheon and Briscoe Museum Reception events.
To register, visit www.tscra.org/policyconference and click the blue registration button or call 817-332-7064 to register by phone.

Housing

The hotel reservation cutoff was Sept. 1 but the primary meeting hotel, the Westin Riverwalk, still has limited availability. To make a reservation, please call 888-627-8396.
Alternative lodging arrangements may be made through the following hotels:

• Hotel Contessa, 1 block away (thehotelcontessa.com, 210-229-9222)
• Homewood Suites, 1 block away (210-222-1515)

About the TSCRA Policy Conference
The TSCRA Policy Conference is open to all TSCRA members. All TSCRA policy committees will meet during the policy conference and allow extra time for thorough discussion of TSCRA policy positions and current topics.