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Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

To Honor and Protect the Ranching Way of Life

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Issues and Policy

  • ADVOCACY
  • POLICY DEVELOPMENT
  • TSCRA PAC
  • GOVERNMENT RELATIONS STAFF

ADVOCACY

The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) was founded in 1877 to combat cattle rustling. Today, the Association continues its mission of protecting the stewards of land and livestock in the Southwest, not only through law enforcement but also by advocating for sound public policy on issues that impact cattle producers and landowners.

TSCRA is an active participant in all three branches of government—legislative, executive and judicial—in both Texas and Washington D.C.

We advocate on a wide variety of issues directly and indirectly related to our members’ ability to raise cattle and own land. Taxes, land use, natural resources, cattle markets, trade, water, cattle diseases, infrastructure, wildlife, beef substitutes, law enforcement, labor and many more topics are regularly considered by policymakers, most of whom have little to no experience in raising cattle.

  • LEGISLATIVE
  • EXECUTIVE
  • JUDICIAL

In Congress and the Texas Legislature, TSCRA’s government relations staff serves as a liaison between the cattle industry and lawmakers so they understand how laws and regulations impact cattle producers and can make informed decisions.

The Texas Legislature meets every other year from January to May. During the latest legislative session, the TSCRA government relations team read 7,385 pieces of legislation and worked on 798 bills that impacted our members. Thousands of hours were spent in more than 1,000 meetings and conference calls during those six months, not including legislative committee meetings and countless time spent preparing, strategizing, researching and compiling material together for legislative offices.

2021 Texas Legislative Session Recap

Like our work at the Texas Legislature, TSCRA is actively engaged with the United States Congress as they craft federal statutes on every issue imaginable. TSCRA leaders and staff regularly travel to Washington for these purposes and are in constant communication with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for and against legislation as necessary.

TSCRA also monitors and works with 33 executive branch regulatory agencies at the state and federal levels. These agencies propose countless regulations every year that can impact your operation and property. We frequently provide written comments and oral testimony to these agencies and continually work with their leaders and staff to ensure the needs and concerns of ranchers and landowners are addressed.

Each year, federal and state courts hear thousands of cases, many of which have implications for cattle raisers. Every time a court issues a ruling, it creates a type of de facto law called judicial precedent. That means each decision will impact much more than the parties in the case—it affects everyone with a stake in the issue. The Association actively participates in the judicial process when cases reach appeal and have consequences beyond the parties involved. This often means filing an amicus curiae brief, or “friend of the court” brief in specific unique and precedent-setting cases. This tool allows organizations like TSCRA to provide the court with additional expertise and insight into the matter, hopefully swaying their opinion.


POLICY DEVELOPMENT

TSCRA has four policy committees responsible for identifying, studying, and prioritizing issues and opportunities that affect members and the cattle industry. This includes the development of policy positions that guide the Association’s actions on legislation, regulation, research, education and other activities. TSCRA’s government relations staff serve as liaisons to the committees and assist committee leaders and members with all duties and responsibilities.

TSCRA policy committees meet at least twice a year in conjunction with the TSCRA Summer Meeting and the TSCRA Policy Conference. TSCRA’s president appoints the chair, vice chair, and committee members. Any member of the Association may serve on one policy committee of their choosing subject to appointment by the president.

If ratified by the Resolutions Committee and full TSCRA Board of Directors, the policies developed by each committee are included in the TSCRA Master Policy List.

TSCRA Master Policy list

Policy Committee Issues

  • Diseases and conditions affecting cattle health
  • Practical methods to prevent and control the spread and effects of such diseases and conditions
  • Emerging diseases and disease vectors
  • Animal welfare laws, regulations and other activities
  • Structure, fees and funding of federal and state animal health regulatory and laboratory testing agencies
  • Laws and regulations relating to animal health pharmaceutical products and accepted livestock management practices
  • Availability of large animal veterinarians
  • Federal and state animal disease traceability efforts
  • Federal and state animal health border inspection activities
  • New technologies and research related to cattle care and handling
  • Evolving technologies and equipment that aid in the identification of cattle and their ownership
  • Useful technologies, techniques and scientific findings related to animal health
J.D. Cage, Chair
Cody Webb, Vice Chair
Kaleb McLaurin, Staff Liaison
  • Evolving, and innovative methods of marketing live cattle
  • Marketing practices and methods that will be in the long-term best interest of members and the cattle industry
  • Best marketing practices and marketing alternatives
  • Price reporting and inventory reporting services and methods of improvement in gathering and disseminating marketing information
  • Federal and state transportation laws and regulations that impact the cattle industry, such as permits, fees, truck weights, commercial driver’s licenses, road access and maintenance issues
  • International trade agreements and negotiations and their impact on the cattle industry
  • Price risk management options provided by commodity futures exchanges
  • Texas Beef Quality Producer (TBQP) and National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) programs
  • Banking and farm credit system
  • Support the work of the TSCRA special rangers and the market inspectors in accomplishing their responsibilities in serving the cattle industry
  • Useful technologies, techniques and scientific findings related to marketing and transportation
Jody Bellah, Chair
Lew Thompson, Vice Chair
Peyton Schumann, Staff Liaison
  • Federal and state water laws, regulations and programs
  • Practices for conserving and improving natural resources
  • Scientific advancements in controlling brush and other invasive vegetation and propagate new techniques and practices
  • Texas Grazing Land Coalition and Texas Section of the Society of Range Management selection of the Outstanding Rangeland Stewardship Award
  • Prescribed burn programs and procedures and federal and state wildfire response and preparation activities
  • Federal and state water quality programs, laws and regulations
  • Surface damage issues relating to non-agricultural surface use activities such as mineral exploration, including inactive oil and gas wells
  • Renewable fuel laws and regulations
  • Proper wildlife management and best management practices that will promote optimum utilization and returns from both livestock and wildlife
  • Opportunities for other non-livestock ranch-related revenue sources to include agritourism and recreation
  • Wildlife diseases and federal and state agencies’ response to the control of any such wildlife disease outbreak
  • Federal and state predator control efforts and funding for related programs
  • Federal endangered species listings, laws and regulations
  • Funding and support for state wildlife programs
  • State laws and regulations regarding hunting and recreational use on private land
  • Beef production sustainability measures and promotion of sustainability best practices
  • Universities and research institution research to aid in the efficient and sustainable production of cattle and beef
  • Useful technologies, techniques and scientific findings related to natural resources and wildlife
James Oliver, Chair
James Clement, Vice Chair
Peyton Schumann, Staff Liaison
  • Eminent domain and other property right issues
  • Surface and groundwater property right laws, regulations and issues
  • Federal and state tax codes
  • State surface right laws and regulations relating to mineral exploration activities
  • Federal and state labor laws and regulations such as workers compensation, insurance requirements, youth labor and hiring or terminating employees
  • State laws regarding county and municipal annexation and zoning regulations
  • Federal and state fiscal laws and regulations
  • Areas of concern and reform with the federal legal immigration system
  • State theft and trespass laws
  • Federal and state border security and illegal immigration efforts
  • Useful technologies, techniques and scientific findings related to property rights and taxes
Brian McLaughlin, Chair
James Dudley, Vice Chair
Jeremy Fuchs, Staff Liaison

TSCRA PAC

Political Action Committees allow like-minded individuals to pool their resources and direct assistance where it’s needed most. The TSCRA PAC raises funds from TSCRA members and uses them to support candidates who support cattle producers. Sometimes the biggest legislative advocate on an issue important to our members may be a lawmaker from the other end of the state or country. Donating to the PAC allows members an opportunity to support their candidacy even if they cannot vote for them directly.

The TSCRA PAC also provides voting recommendations for state and federal candidates in advance of elections. TSCRA’s government relations staff conducts countless meetings with candidates seeking office and compiles information from each of their campaigns for the TSCRA PAC Board of Trustees to consider. These activities provide an amazing opportunity to establish strong working relationships early in a candidate’s legislative career.

Learn more about TSCRA PAC

Click below to visit the TSCRA PAC homepage, donate, view voting recommendations and more.

TSCRA PAC Homepage

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS STAFF

Kaleb McLaurin
Executive Director of Government Relations

Kaleb McLaurin

Executive Director of Government Relations

Kaleb McLaurin is a sixth-generation Texan from the Piney Woods of East Texas. He and his family raised beef cattle and hay near the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation in Polk County. Following his graduation as valedictorian from Big Sandy High School, Kaleb served on the 2009-2010 Texas FFA State Officer Team. After traveling the state advocating for agriculture for a year, Kaleb enrolled in Texas A&M University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Agricultural Leadership and Development and a minor in Agricultural Economics.

In 2014, Kaleb accepted a position as the director of government affairs with TSCRA. After four years with TSCRA, he humbly accepted an opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of Government Relations, a position he has held since September of 2018. Kaleb currently resides in Dripping Springs with his wife, Raynie, and two young daughters, Reese Taylor and Kate Delaney.

TSCRA COMMITTEES
Cattle Health and Wellbeing

TSCRA PAC
Board of Trustees
Contributions Subcommittee

ISSUES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Management of Government Relations Team • Cattle Health • Animal Welfare • Cattle Pests and Diseases • Fever Ticks • Disease Traceability • Import and Export Inspections • Import and Export Facilities • Antibiotic Use • Veterinary Issues • Candidate Endorsements and Contributions

AGENCIES
Texas Animal Health Commission • Texas Department of Agriculture • Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners • Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory • USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • U.S. Food and Drug Administration

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Jeremy Fuchs
Director of Policy Communications & Government Relations

Jeremy Fuchs

Director of Policy Communications & Government Relations

Before joining the TSCRA government relations team, Jeremy was assistant director of communications at the Texas Department of Agriculture. He held several other marketing and communications positions during his 12-year career at the agency. He was also the third generation of his family to have worked at the United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistic Service, where he began his professional career.

Jeremy’s agricultural education began at an early age. Both sides of his family were involved in various facets of agriculture for generations. He spent his high school years in Dripping Springs, Texas, before attending Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness. Jeremy and his wife Kristen live in Dripping Springs, Texas, with their two children.

TSCRA COMMITTEES
Property Rights and Tax

TSCRA PAC
Fundraising Subcommittee

ISSUES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Communications • News Media • Policy Messaging • Property Rights • Eminent Domain and Condemnation • Surface Damage • High-Speed Rail • Municipal Annexation • City and County Regulatory Issues • Land Use Regulations • Mineral Interests • Oil and Gas Exploration • Liability and Torts • Farm Animal Liability Act • Federal and State Taxes • Agricultural Valuation • Death Tax • Border Security • Immigration • Fence Law • Trespass • Law Enforcement • Labor • Broadband • Rural Health • PAC Fundraising Activities

AGENCIES
Texas Public Utilities Commission • Texas Railroad Commission • Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts • Texas Department of Agriculture • Texas Department of Public Safety • Texas Commission on Law Enforcement • U.S. Internal Revenue Service • U.S. Department of Labor • USDA-National Agricultural Statistics Service

  • Email
PEYTON SCHUMANN
Director Government Relations

Peyton Schumann

Director of Government Relations

Peyton has been involved in ranching his entire life. He grew up on a ranch between Coleman and Abilene, where his dad trained cutting horses and raised cattle. Today, his family operates a yearling steer operation. Peyton attended Coleman High School before moving to Lubbock and majoring in Public Relations at Texas Tech University.

After graduation, Peyton worked for State Senator Louis Kolkhorst in the Senate Administration Committee during the 85th Texas Legislative Session. He then joined Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s reelection campaign and later landed his dream job in 2018—working for TSCRA to represent the countless ranchers and landowners that makeup the association. He is proud to advocate for the ranchers who dedicate their lives to the land and animals they care for.

TSCRA COMMITTEES
Marketing and Transportation
Natural Resources and Wildlife

TSCRA PAC
Outreach Subcommittee

ISSUES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Ground and Surface Water • WOTUS • Wildlife • Chronic Wasting Disease • Endangered Species • Predation • Invasive Species • Sustainability • Climate and Conservation • Oil Well Plugging • Prescribed Burning • Transportation • Truck Weights • Hours of Service • International Trade • Country of Origin Labeling • Cattle Futures and Trading • Livestock Markets • Price Discovery • Packer Issues • Ag Finance and Banking • Fake Meat • Beef Checkoff • Candidate Engagement Activities

AGENCIES
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality • Texas Parks and Wildlife • Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board • Texas Water Development Board • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • EPA • USDA-Farm Service Agency • USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service • USDA-Agricultural Marketing Service • USDA-Food Safety and Inspection Service • TxDOT • Commodity Futures Trading Commission • U.S. Department of Transportation • Federal Highway Administration • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

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The Cattleman Magazine

The Cattleman magazine is received monthly by TSCRA members as part of their membership in the organization.

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RSS Upcoming Events

  • TSCRA 2022 Summer Meeting Welcome Reception - Thu, Jun 9, 2022 5:00pm - 6:30pm @ Shiprock
  • TSCRA 2022 Summer Meeting - Board of Directors Meeting - Fri, Jun 10, 2022 3:00pm - 4:00pm @ El Dorado Hotel - Eldorado B
  • TSCRA 2022 Summer Meeting Reception and Dinner - Fri, Jun 10, 2022 7:00pm - 9:00pm @ Santa Fe Community Convention Center

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FORT WORTH, TX 76185

1-800-242-7820

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