Cattle Raisers, friends and special guests gathered in San Antonio Wednesday to discuss the policies and topics that guide TSCRA leaders and staff in their state and national activities. The TSCRA Policy Conference is 3-day open forum where members share information and knowledge and engage in productive discussions and debates on the issues facing cattle producers and landowners. This is the meeting at which most of TSCRA’s annual policy development is conducted. New policies are proposed, and existing policies are reviewed, updated, or deleted as necessary. Wednesday’s topics included an insightful political forecast from Ross Ramsey, executive editor and co-founder of The Texas Tribune.
Ramsey’s plain talk about the current state of Texas politics touched on the recent session and where the legislature may be headed as the election situation heats up.
Attendees on Thursday can look forward to an opening talk with Gregg Doud, U.S. Trade Representative, about international trade, the onling tariff situation and the latest on USMCA. Other topics covered in informational meetings are the state water plan, international trade, property tax changes, among others. The day ends with a dinner and reception at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. See below for a full schedule and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date info and highlights and follow along with the hashtag #TSCRApolicy.
If you are in the area and would like to attend, click here.
| Wednesday, Sept. 25 |
12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Executive Committee Luncheon and Meeting |
| 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Registration Open | |
| 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Opening Session Topic: Political Forecast Speaker: Ross Ramsey, Executive Editor and Co-Founder of The Texas Tribune |
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| 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Reception | |
| Thursday, Sept. 26 |
7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Registration Open |
| 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | General Session Topic: International Trade Speaker: Gregg Doud, United States Trade Representative |
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| 9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. | Break | |
| 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. | Concurrent Committee Meetings Agricultural Research and Education Committee Topic: Priority Statewide Needs for Increasing Sustainability and Resiliency of Ranching Operations in Texas Speaker: Dr. Bob Whitson, Bob McCan and Jim McAdams Law Enforcement Committee Topic: Combined Law Enforcement – Game Wardens Protect Ranch Life as Much as Wildlife Speaker: Colonel Grahame Jones, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Topic: Special Rangers Move Forward with Refreshed Vision Speaker: Scott Williamson |
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| 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Concurrent Committee Meetings Cattle Health and Well-Being Committee Topic: How Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus leads to Persistently Infected Calves Speaker: Dr. Andy Schwartz, State Veterinarian and Executive Director, Texas Animal Health Commission Natural Resources and Wildlife Committee Topic: Texas Water Development Board overview and update Speaker: Peter Lake, Texas Water Development Board Chairman |
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| 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Luncheon Topic: Importance of Political Engagement Speaker: TSCRA PAC panelists |
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| 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Marketing and Transportation Committee Topic: Trade outlook and update on the United States, Mexico, Canada Trade Agreement Speaker: Kent Bacus, Senior Director of International Trade and Market Access, NCBA |
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| 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Break | |
| 3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. | Property Rights and Tax Committee Topic: Property Tax Changes form the 86th Texas Legislative Session Speaker: Rick Parker, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts |
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| 4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. | Resolutions Committee | |
| 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Evening Dinner and Reception Briscoe Western Art Museum |
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| Friday, Sept. 27 |
6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | PAC Trustee Breakfast (by invitation only) |
| 6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. | RAP Team Meeting (by invitation only) | |
| 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. | Registration Open | |
| 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | Board of Directors Meeting |