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Local Beef Community Raises Over $160,000 for SP4K Beef Program

8/23/2019

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The Amarillo area beef and dairy communities presented a check for $163,600 to the Snack Pak 4 Kids Program (SP4K). The money will provide 218,000 beef sticks to hungry students through the Snack Pak weekend hunger program. The check was presented at the first Beef 4 Kids Golf Classic (B4K), an event coordinated and led by TCFA.

“When agriculture sees a need, they go and find a way to fill it,” said Dyron Howell, founder of SP4K. “There is so much negative talk about agriculture, especially about the beef and dairy industries, but what isn’t talked about enough is the commitment these industries have to serving their communities.”
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Howell said that, because the beef community saw a need and decided to address it, at-risk kids in the Texas Panhandle will now have access to 68 grams of beef and dairy protein each weekend.

“This is protein these children would not have access to otherwise,” Howell said.


The SP4K Beef Stik Program launched in October 2017 during the TCFA Convention. The program was designed to provide more protein to kids in need and allows consumers to purchase Snack Pak Beef Stiks online or in convenience stores with every purchased stick providing an additional stick to a child in need.


The BOGO program combined with the money raised through the B4K tournament will provide two beef sticks for every kid at no additional cost.


“This was our goal and vision when we started this project four years ago, but now this is a reality,” Howell said. “When we first started, kids would get about 10-12 grams of protein in their bags each weekend, which is woefully inadequate. Today, kids are getting 68 grams of protein in their bags.”

Beef provides ten essential nutrients and vitamins, including protein, zinc and iron — three key nutrients that are essential for proper growth and development of children. The SP4K Beef Stik is made of 100% chuck roast and brisket, making it the most premium beef stick on the market.
    
How you can contribute:

  1. Buy SP4K Beef Stiks at www.sp4k.org/beef-stik. Every stick you purchase provides an additional stick for a child in need.
  2. Share the Beef Stik info on your social media channels.
  3. Donate beef to the program.
  4. Sponsor your community or a local child.
  5. Give SP4K Beef Stiks at your company meetings, as gifts, etc.

TCFA would like to congratulate XIT Feeders on winning the tournament with a score of 54. A big thanks to all of the sponsors and golfers who made this event possible. Major sponsoring organizations include 
Cactus Feeders, Cargill, Nutra Blend, Caviness Beef Packers, Champion Feeders, Hi-Pro Feeds, Jax Transportation, Micro Technologies, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Tyson Foods, Baptist Community Services, Family Medical Center, Friona Industries and Kemin Industries. 

​See coverage of the event from the
 Amarillo Globe News, Beef Magazine and KAMR. 
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TCFA Feedyard Programs Suite Recognized by Leading Beef Sustainability Group

8/15/2019

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The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB), a full beef stakeholder initiative focused on continuous improvement, officially recognized the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) suite of feedyard services and programs as aligning with the U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework.  

“TCFA feedyards are the envy of the world in terms of efficiently converting grains and by-products into protein,” said Levi Berry, feedyard general manager and TCFA Chairman. “Over the last several decades, as an industry, we have consistently produced more beef with less cattle, used fewer overall inputs, implemented environmental management practices and strived to provide a safe workplace for our employees. This is the very definition of sustainability in action. TCFA feedyards have a great story to tell.” 

TCFA’s suite of feedyard programs consist of three main areas; employee safety, environmental services; and Beef Quality Assurance. The programs and services are implemented in partnership with TCFA feedyard members. 

In order to be recognized as aligning with the USRSB Framework, TCFA’s programs were required to demonstrate alignment with six key areas: 

  1. Animal health and well-being 
  2. Efficiency and yield 
  3. Water resources 
  4. Land resources 
  5. Air and greenhouse gas emissions 
  6. Employee safety and well-being 

Berry points out that this recognition gives TCFA feedyard members proof points they can use to highlight specific ways they are working to continuously improve upon their sustainability efforts.  

For example, TCFA feedyard members who utilize TCFA’s environmental services program align with the Framework’s water resources, land resources and air and greenhouse gas emission indicators. TCFA’s program includes environmental training, site audits, and soil, water and manure sampling. 

Additionally, the environmental services program helps feedyards develop sound Pollution Prevention Plans and Nutrient Management Plans.  

The programs underwent an evaluation by an independent third-party in order to demonstrate incorporation of U.S. Beef Industry Sustainability Framework criteria. The alignment claim is applicable for three years, at which time TCFA would reapply to keep recognition status.  

“The USRSB Framework is new, but TCFA members have focused on improvements in these areas for years,” said Berry. “Now, because TCFA’s programs have been recognized, TCFA feedyard members can highlight their efforts in all of these areas under the larger umbrella of sustainability — something consumers want from producers.” 

​For more information on the USRSB Recognition Program, visit www.usrsb.org.

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Students Compete in 2019 TCFA Junior Fed Beef Challenge

8/2/2019

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​Students from across the state made their way to the campus of West Texas A&M University on Friday, July 26, to showcase their skills and knowledge at the 2019 TCFA Junior Fed Beef Challenge.
 
This annual contest gives third-12th grade students the opportunity to gain industry knowledge and practical experience in commercial cattle feeding. Students feed a pen of three steers, take a written test and compete in interviews and oral presentations. Cattle performance points are also figured into the score to determine the winners.

Students compete for a combined $20,000 in college scholarships along with trophy buckles and plaques. 

​The Senior Overall Champion of the contest and winner of a $5,000 scholarship was Leroy Stavinoha of Eagle Lake. Senior Reserve Champion and winner of a $3,000 scholarship was Will Hauerland of Columbus. The First Runner-Up and winner of a $2,000 scholarship was Macy Lawrence of Canyon. 
Leroy Stavinoha; Eagle Lake, Texas
Will Hauerland; Columbus, Texas
Macy Lawrence; Canyon, Texas
In the Junior Division, Kade Lawrence was named the Overall Champion and received a $350 scholarship.
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Senior Division: Best Written Exam 
3rd Place Written Exam – Luke Bludau
2nd Place Written Exam – Emily Heitschmidt
1st Place Exam and winner of a $500 prize – Leroy Stavinoha
Luke Bludau; Hallettsville, Texas
Emily Heitschmidt; Nazareth, Texas
Leroy Stavinoha; Eagle Lake, Texas
Senior Division: Best Interview 
3rd Place Interview – J’Cee Faith Petty
2nd Place Interview – Clayton Stevenson
Best Interview and winner of a $500 prize – Macy Lawrence
J'Cee Faith Petty; Adrian, Texas
Clayton Stevenson; Earth, Texas
Macy Lawrence; Canyon, Texas
​Senior Division: Best Individual Carcass 
3rd Place Individual Carcass – Lane Golla, Will Hauerland, Leroy Stavinoha, Annemarie Metzler, J’Cee Faith Petty, Justin Schumacher, David Schoenemann and Kady Weatherford
2nd Place Individual Carcass – Shelby Berckenhoff and Luke Bludau
Top Individual Carcass and winner of a $500 prize – Winston Stevenson 
Back L to R: Justin Schumacher, Dalhart; David Schoenemann, Caldwell; Will Hauerland, Columbus; Leroy Stavinoha, Eagle Lake; Lane Tindel, Honey Grove Bottom L to R: Kady Weatherford, Hamilton; Annemarie Metzler, Cotton Center; J'Cee Faith Petty, Adrian
Shelby Berckenhoff; Hallettsville, Texas
Luke Bludau; Hallettsville, Texas
Winston Stevenson; Bushland, Texas
Senior Division: Best Pen Steer Points 
3rd Place Carcass Pen – Annemarie Metzler
2nd Place Carcass Pen – J’Cee Faith Petty and Justin Schumacher
Top Carcass Pen and winner of a $500 prize – Winston Stevenson
Annemarie Metzler; Cotton Center
J'Cee Faith Petty; Adrian, Texas
Justin Schumacher; Dalhart, Texas
Winston Stevenson; Bushland, Texas
Senior Division: Top Rookie Award 
3rd Place Rookie – Edwin Alexander Valicek
2nd Place Rookie – Annemarie Metzler
Top Rookie and winner of a $500 prize – J’Cee Faith Petty
Edwin Alexander Valicek; Houston, Texas
Annemarie Metzler; Cotton Center, Texas
J'Cee Faith Petty; Adrian, Texas
Junior Division: Best Written Exam
3rd Place Written Exam – Kade Lawrence
2nd Place Written Exam – Kilian Leheska
1st Place Exam and winner of a $250 prize – Grant Kubala
Kade Lawrence; Canyon, Texas
Kilian Leheska; Canyon, Texas
Grant Kubala; Schulenburg, Texas
Junior Division: Best Presentation
3rd Place Presentation – Emma Stevenson, Grant Kubala, Hope Gleghorn
2nd Place Presentation – Brett Heitschmidt
Best Presentation and winner of a $250 prize – Kade Lawrence
Emma Stevenson; Earth, Texas
Grant Kubala; Schulenburg, Texas
Hope Gleghorn; Amarillo, Texas
Brett Heitschmidt; Nazareth, Texas
Kade Lawrence; Canyon, Texas
Junior Division: Best Individual Carcass 
3rd Place Individual Carcass – Cydney Kirkland and Samantha Unruh
2nd Place Individual Carcass – Alexandra Kelley and Ty Rogers
Top Individual Carcass and winner of a $250 prize – Jake Ressler
Cydney Kirkland; Vega, Texas
Samantha Unruh; Stratford, Texas
Alexandra Kelley; New Braunfels, Texas
Ty Rogers; Rockwall, Texas
Jake Ressler; Hallettsville, Texas
Junior Division: Best Pen Steer Points 
3rd Place Carcass Pen – Cydney Kirkland
2nd Place Carcass Pen – Alexandra Kelley
Top Carcass Pen and winner of a $250 prize – Ty Rogers
Cydney Kirkland; Vega, Texas
Alexandra Kelly; New Braunfels, Texas
Ty Rogers; Rockwall, Texas
Junior Division: Top Rookie Award 
2nd Place Rookie – Samantha Unruh
Top Rookie and winner of a $250 prize – Reese Wilson
Samantha Unruh; Stratford, Texas
Reese Wilson; Canyon, Texas
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