Cattle Raisers Convention Draws Thousands

Cattle Raisers Convention coverage by Ellen H. Brisendine, Kristin Hawkins, Christina Sebesta, Shawn McCoy, Lana Rothe, Erin Worrell and Pro Images Photography

The 137th Cattle Raisers Convention brought more than 2,500 ranchers, ag business people, educators, policy makers and rural affairs experts together April 4-6 in San Antonio. But the convention brought more together than just professionals. It brought the ranching community of Texas and the Southwest together for a weekend of fun, fellowship, learning and reunion.

We provide just a glimpse of the Cattle Raisers Convention in these 20 pages. Go to The Cattleman Plus, your magazine on your iPad or Android tablet, for more photos and for video and audio interviews with convention-goers. Better yet, mark your calendar for March 27-29, 2015, for the next Cattle Raisers Convention in Fort Worth. BE

TSCRA President Pete Bonds, Saginaw, welcomed a full house to the opening general session at the convention.

Jake Hooker and the Outsiders entertained Cattle Raisers for hours at Sunset Station during the Cattle Raisers Convention, April 4-6, San Antonio. The Cattle Raisers Dance was sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica and drew nearly 1,000 friends to enjoy a Mexican buffet, dance and fundraiser auction for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Political Action Committee (PAC). Thanks to generous donations and active bidding, $115,000 was raised for the PAC.

The discussion for the panel of experts at the opening general session centered on rural affairs and the challenges facing education, municipalities, lending institutions and utilities in serving rural communities. From left are John Sharp, chancellor. The Texas A&M University System; Betty Flores, member of the Farm Credit board; and Robert Puente, president and CEO of San Antonio Water System.

Chancellor John Sharp, The Texas A&M University System, discussed the role higher education will play in serving rural communities in the coming years.

Robert R. Puente was appointed San Antonio Water System's president and CEO in November 2008. As chief executive of one of the nation's largest utilities, he provides leadership in delivering water and wastewater services to more than 1.6 million consumers, developing new water resources, continuing infrastructure upgrades throughout the community and building regional partnerships.

Betty Ffores was named to the Farm Credit board in 2006. in 2010, she was appointed to serve as a member of the Farm Credit System Diversity Workgroup. Prior to serving on the Farm Credit board, she served as mayor of Laredo for 8 years.

Hargrove Ranch Insurance sponsored the opening general session. Marc Shepard with Hargrove greeted the audience and guest speakers.

Gretchen Hamel, executive director of Public Notice, led the opening general session panel discussion on rural affairs at the Cattle Raisers Convention. Hamel, a Fox News contributor, leads a team of communications and policy experts in explaining complex economic, regulatory, and budget issues to Americans. From left are Eldon White, TSCRA executive vice president and CEO; President Pete Bonds; Hamel; and First Vice President Richard Thorpe.

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