Oct. 17, 2005
For Immediate Release                                                            
For Information:  Burt Rutherford   (800) 299-8232

 2005 A Year Of Accomplishments, TCFA Chairman Tells Members

             2005 was a fast-paced and hectic year, but a year that cattle feeders can look back on as one that saw several major accomplishments come to pass, according to Charlie Sellers, chairman of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA).
            Speaking at the 2005 TCFA Convention in Grapevine, Sellers said some of those accomplishments were a while in coming.  "Never have I seen a year with so many 'I don't knows' in it.  We found ourselves caught between when will judges rule and when will borders open?"  The beef checkoff is now secure, he said, thanks to the Supreme Court, and an appeals court sided with science and reopened the Canadian border.              
             The debate on other issues, such as BSE, continues to pull at the industry.  Sellers said TCFA has been very frustrated at the slow progress on reopening the Japanese market and the association continues to pressure the White House and Congress to seek all possible remedies to resolve the issue. 
            Sellers told the nearly 500 cattle feeders in attendance that he is optimistic about the cattle industry because he is bullish on protein and world consumption.  Ninety six percent of the world's population lives some place other than the United States . 
            "Clearly, our growth lies in exports and there are several emerging economies-the Pacific Rim, China , the Middle East and to an extent Africa -where the quality of life is improving.  Did you know there are 300 million middle class people in China ?  That's an incredible market if we can tap into it." 
            Sellers said he is also bullish on demand here at home.  "People here in the United States want our product.  That's because we have the safest product in the world and we have a superior product."  Branded, heat-and-serve beef is one of the fastest growing categories in retail marketing, he said, and the reason for that is because cattlemen, through the beef checkoff, made it happen.  "Thanks to the beef checkoff, we're now competing head-to-head, and winning, with poultry and pork in the retail meat case." 
            Sellers told cattle feeders that a number of challenging issues remain, but he is confident the industry will deal with them effectively.  "In every one of those issues, TCFA is working persistently and diligently on your behalf," he said.  "We still have a lot of things on our radar and it will take all of us, working together, to meet those challenges head on.  My commitment to you is that TCFA will continue to be a major force in influencing the policies and practices of this great industry."  
            Sellers can't imagine a better business to be in than cattle.  "We still handle millions of dollars on a handshake, or the electronic version of a handshake made with a cell phone, a fax or an e-mail.  I don't know of any other business where that occurs.  I hope we never lose that, because it is truly unique and special.  Your association and your business have a great future ahead of it because TCFA has the finest people in the world as its members.  The challenges remain, but so do the opportunities.  I have no doubt that you and your association are up to it."   

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