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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.”  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:
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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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:
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.  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. In the Junior Division, Kade Lawrence was named the Overall Champion and received a $350 scholarship.  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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Junior Division: Top Rookie Award 2nd Place Rookie – Samantha Unruh Top Rookie and winner of a $250 prize – Reese Wilson |
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