Don L. King Resigns as President/CEO of TLBAA
On November 22, 2006, Don L. King submitted a letter of formal resignation as President/CEO of the TLBAA to Chairman of the Board Joel Lemley. The TLBAA Board of Directors accepted Mr. King’s resignation, during an Executive Session via teleconference on November 27, 2006.
“It is with great difficulty that we accept Don’s resignation as our President/CEO,” said Joel Lemley. “He will be truly missed and we are grateful for the many outstanding contributions that he has made to this association. The past 10 years, under Don’s leadership, will be remembered as golden years for the TLBAA. He moved this association to a higher level and he deserves our respect and admiration for the many outstanding accomplishments that were made because of his leadership.”
During the Executive Session, the Board of Directors unanimously elected the TLBAA’s current Director of Events and Registrations, Larry Barker, as interim Executive Director. The Board also elected to establish a committee of three Board Members to conduct a search for a President/CEO and set a goal to fill the position by end of Spring 2007.
“Larry Barker was our first choice to step in as interim Executive Director and we are most fortunate that he has accepted,” said Lemley. “We will continue to move forward as an association and we will conduct business as usual under the experienced guidance of Larry. The dedicated and talented TLBAA staff in Fort Worth will stay the course of registering and transferring cattle, managing scheduled cattle sales and events and producing a monthly magazine.”
Barker bought his first Longhorn in 1982 and joined the TLBAA. For over 20 years he has been involved with the TLBAA in many different capacities. As a member he chartered and was president of the Heartland TLBAA Affiliate, was elected to the Board of Directors for Region 4 and has been a staff member for 10 years. “No one, in my opinion, can fill the shoes of Don King,” Barker said. “The Board has requested my service until a President/CEO is found and I am honored to accept this responsibility and will perform to the best of my ability.”
El Coyote Hosts Open House
South Texas never looked so awe-inspiring as the El Coyote Ranch in Kingsville, TX, when it opened its gates to welcome visitors to its open house on Saturday, November 18, 2006. Hosts Lee, Ramona and Perry Bass graciously welcomed visitors with a big red and white tent and cold drinks before the hayrides through the pastures began. Among the 25-to-30 visitors were many representatives from other breeds, including Santa Gertrudis, as well as many TLBAA Longhorn Breeders.
Perry, Ramona, and Lee Bass, El Coyote Ranch.
TLBAA Board Member Dr. Bob Kropp of Perry, OK, adviser to El Coyote’s Texas Longhorn program, thanked everyone for making the trip to Kingsville, TX. Information-rich packets detailing El Coyote Ranch’s herd were very informative and made available before the hayrides.
The tour began with a look at the cattle sorting facility, which Dr. Kropp said was designed so that one man could sort alone if needed.
El Coyote Ranch Manager Felix Serna pointed out the circular pattern of the sorting pens, which help keep cattle calm during sorting.
Before attendees were treated to a hayride through the beautiful El Coyote pastures, Ramona Bass offered umbrellas to everyone on the hayride to help protect them from the South Texas sun.
After an extensive tour of the pasture, everyone was treated to real cowboy cooking prepared by the El Coyote Ranch hands. The meal included authentic carne asada with pinto ranch beans, Mexican rice and fresh homemade pico de gallo. (see photo below)
After lunch, the group gladly took another hayride for an exciting photo opportunity with the El Coyote Trophy Steers. Over 150 massive sets of beautiful Texas Longhorn Trophy Steers greeted the riders as they snapped photos of some of the biggest horns in Texas.
Attendees enjoyed a chance to snap a few photos of El Coyote Ranch’s extensive collection of Trophy Steers.
Check out the El Coyote Open House Web Gallery for more photos.
TLBAA General Membership Meeting and Awards Banquet Information
On Friday January 12, 2007, the TLBAA will hold the 42nd Annual General Membership Meeting in Fort Worth, TX, at 11 am at the Radisson Fort Worth North. There is a special room rate of $79 per night available for TLBAA members. Please contact the Radisson Fort Worth North at (817) 625-9911 for details and to make reservations.
At the Annual General Membership Meeting, the announcement of Division A Directors elections and general business will be conducted. All active TLBAA members are invited and encouraged to attend the Annual General Membership Meeting.
Also held on that Friday will be the TLBAA Awards Banquet where the following awards will be presented:
- Elmer Parker Lifetime Achievement Award
- Dave Evans Breeder of the Year Award
- Jack Phillips Affiliate Presidents’ Award
- Trails’ Supporter of the Year Award
- Bob Moore Foundation Award of Excellence
- Linda Moore Award of Excellence
- The President’s Award
- Hall of Fame 2006 Awards
Tickets for the Awards Banquet are $40 if bought before January 1, 2007, and $50 if purchased after January 1, 2007. Please contact the TLBAA office at (817) 625-6241 or download and print a Pre-Registration Form here to reserve your tickets today.
Cattlesoft Earns Aggie 100 Recognition
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – When Cattlesoft, Inc. began, owners Terrell and Penny Miller were simply trying to combine two interests with one common goal: to take something they enjoy doing and make a difference in an industry they care about, while earning a living for themselves, often called the “American Dream.”
Seven years later, they have done just that, and on October 13, 2006, they were recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit and overwhelming success as they joined the elite “Aggie 100” list as one of the fastest-growing firms in the world, owned and operated by former students of Texas A&M University. Among companies in industries ranging from food service to engineering, Cattlesoft, Inc., was the only company from the agriculture industry.
The Aggie 100 was created last year by the Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship at the Mays Business School. Among the criteria for companies to be eligible for this year’s honors, they must have been in business for a minimum of five years and have business operations that are consistent with the Aggie Code of Honor. The ranking of the Aggie 100 companies is based on growth in gross sales over a two-year period as a way to measure the success and vitality of a company.
Cattlesoft, Inc., which designs, develops and markets livestock software programs from its College Station, TX, location, was established in 1999, shortly after Terrell and Penny Miller graduated from Texas A&M University. Terrell Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in information and operations management, as well as an MBA, which is what he attributes much of the company’s success to. Penny Miller holds a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural development. Both were raised in an agricultural environment and had a deep passion to combine their interests in a way that would benefit the cattle industry.
Today, they have released the third version of both their CattleMax and LonghornMax software programs and provide software solutions to thousands of ranchers in 49 states and 28 countries. The success they were able to achieve by combining cattle with technology surprised many outside the industry when they first began, but Terrell and Penny Miller say they merely followed a dream with persistence and a commitment to providing a quality product and expert service.
Terrell Miller said, “If you can’t find your dream job, it is probably waiting for you to create it.”
He said he firmly believes in entrepreneurship and enjoys speaking to students to share his success story and encourage them to pursue their own interests.
For more information on Cattlesoft, Inc., and the products they offer visit http://www.cattlesoft.com or contact them at 877-454-2697. For a complete list of Aggie 100 companies or more information on the selection criteria, visit http://www.aggie100.com/.
December Best at West This Weekend
Don’t forget about the December Best at West Sale this Saturday in West, TX. Brave the cold weather expected to attend the Friday Night Cook Out and Get-Together. Cattle will be available for viewing before the sale on Saturday. The sale is scheduled to begin at 11 am on Saturday, December 2, 2006. See y’all at West!
Entry Forms For Fort Worth Stock Show Due December 1st
Entries for the upcoming Fort Worth Stock Show must be submitted to the TLBAA office by Friday, December 1, 2006. The Fort Worth Stock Show is the second stop on the Autobahn Motorcar Group Youth Scholarship Tour and is sure to be one of the best shows this year. For entry applications, please contact Pam Dodson at the TLBAA office: (817) 625-6241 or pam@tlbaa.org.
Fort Worth Stock Show Tickets Now on Sale
This January, Fort Worth will host its annual Stock Show and Rodeo. In addition to the Longhorn Show there will be many events such as the rodeo and bronc riding that have enriched the past 109 years of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo. Tickets and more information are available at the Fort Worth Stock Show Web site.
Drought Conditions Update
Click here for information about the seasonal drought conditions and updated national drought information directly from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here is an additional weekly drought monitor from NOAA.
Weekly Hay Report from the Texas Department of Agriculture
Compared to last week: Trade and demand remain moderate. There are not many sales being made, as hay is becoming harder to find. Quality is still an issue when dealing with a shortage, and even poor quality is selling at a higher price. Drought conditions in areas have led to concerns about the rest of the winter and into next year. The State of Texas Department of Agriculture has the Hay and Grazing Hotline set up for buyers and sellers. The number is 1-877-429-1998. The Web site for TDA is www.agr.state.tx.us. For a hay report from a state other than Texas please click here.
E-Trails Note: To get your Association News front and center on the E-Trails, email the information to Cole@tlbaa.org.
-Cole Dowden
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