Tehama County Cattlemen's Association

PO box 1164, Red Bluff CA, 96080

Ron Knight Memorial Scholarship

TCCA President Tony Turri introduced Tom and Terry Bengard, Jerry and Joan Hemsted with a welcome by the Bengards and Jerry Hemsted gave a brief history of the Gallatin Ranch. Previous field days were held in 1968, 1979, 1987 and 1993 on this ranch.

There was education in the morning with Dr. John Maas, Extension Veterinarian, reporting that California is making progress in wiping out Trichomonosis, a venereal disease. He urged that ranchers test their bulls each year.

When asked the progress on Foothill Abortion (Epizootic Bovine Abortion) and a vaccine, thanks to the $50,000 California Cattlemen's Association has committed each year, it is getting closer. We know it is transmitted by the soft tick known as the Pajaroello (pa-h-WAY-lo) tick. They are using a special mouse with no immune system, that dies like a fetus when injected with diseased genetic tissue. (Mice reproduce faster than cattle, and they are cheaper than cattle.)

Josh Davy, University of California livestock representative for Tehama, Glenn and Colusa counties, told how grazing and burning had controlled Medusahead in different plots. Now they are working to find how late they can graze it, with different stocking rates. They burned

Dr. Jack Cowley, second vice president, and Stevie Ipsen, director of public relations and outreach, California Cattlemen's Association, told how they hope to raise $50,000 by ranchers donating and buying bulls with the money going toward Foothill Abortion research. Both expressed Executive Vice President Matt Byrne's thank you to TCCA for our support of CCA, past and present. They mentioned that 30 CCA members were heading to Washington D.C. for the Spring Legislative Meeting.

Also introduced was CCA Treasurer Myron Openshaw.

Bill Dale, executive director of the California Beef Council, mentioned that the beef demand is dropping because consumers are spending more dollars for gasoline. They are looking for cheaper sources of protein, especially when the U.S. hog inventory is up 7 percent. At retail, to make steak more affordable, the steaks are being cut thinner. The consumer doesn't realize it will cook faster, and when it is a dry steak, they won't buy it again. CBC will continue the Hispanic campaign in Southern California, and working with Safeway in July on a beef promotion.

Then it was time for the delicious New York steak dinner, with ranch beans and salad as only Vic Woolery and crew can make it. Tex Ash and his fiddlers supplied music during the social hour and lunch time. Bob Kerstiens CalFire crew of Dan Forester and Gary Durden with their ladies had hot buttered French bread and coffee that were appreciated on a cold day. Cindy Brown of Butte Community Bank sold dinner tickets, while Jane Daugherty took the entries for the afternoon events and other TCCW members helped serve cakes and food.

Barbara Frost Kloose had her table out of the wind on the south side of the loading chute, beside the four bulls that weighed 6,280 pounds. Jamie Maberry guessed 6,309 to win the Darrel Conard Memorial "Big Steer" trophy and $100. Anne Owens was second with 6,049 pounds and $50. Melody Christy was 6,127 pounds and $25 for third.

Fourteen horses were entered in the Pine Creek Cattle Company sponsored Herman Daugherty memorial buckle and $1,000 added champion stock horse competition. In order to win this top award, the horse and rider had to enter all three events. Michelle Birt, riding Rooster, 8-year-old bay from the Shasta Livestock team won this award.

First to Justin Niesen, riding for TX Bar; second to Cole Hook, riding for Roy Owens, and third was a tie to Lloyd Faria and Michelle Birt, both riding for Shasta Livestock.

Other stock horse competitors were: Matt Owens and Mac McGiffin, riding for M&A Ranch; Roy Owens and Clint Hendricks, riding for Roy Owens membership; Anne Owens, riding for Bert & Anne Owens; John Baker and Cooper Stumbaugh, riding for Llano Seco; Matt Cook, riding for TX Bar; Stacy Miller, riding for Harold & Stacy Miller; and Dave Ferguson, riding for Ferguson Livestock.

Calf Paint Branding of three head was won by the team of Llano Seco in 3 minutes 35 seconds by John Baker, Ricky Fimea and Cooper Stumbaugh. Second to the team of Ferguson Livestock, with Mac McGiffin, Lloyd Faria and Dave Ferguson in 3.41. Third to the team of Roy Owens, Cole Hook and Pete Brown with 3.47.

They had to apply the U7 brand on the right hip, and I would have penalized a couple of teams 30 seconds for the lazy U7. The judges did penalize teams for loping instead of trotting. There had been 10 teams entered.

The pair sorting was easier than I expected because when the calves were returned to the herd after the branding, they were glad to see mama and started nursing. Anyone could have paired up the right pairs - even me.

The audience enjoyed the heckling the competitors gave each other. They told me the comments were common, when they get together for a branding.

"Look at the pair to your left, dummy" or words to that effect.

First Shasta Livestock, 1 minute 30.69 with Michelle Birt, Ronnie Garcia and Lloyd Faria. Second Harold & Stacy Miller Ranch, 1.41.31 with Harold, Stacy and Geof Miller. Third M & A Ranch 1.41.50 with MacMcGiffin, Matt Owens and Roy Owens. Fourth Leon Landis Ranch, 2.03.89 with Pete Brown, Cole Hook and Leon Landis. Fifth TX Bar, 2.11.59 with Tyler Martinez, Matt Cook, Justin Niesen with 11 teams competing.

The younger members of TCCA did a great job handling the afternoon events, after setting up the tables, chairs, banners, signs, etc. and cleanup afterwards. (President Tony Turri, Vice President Chris Marenco, local directors Chad Amen, Adam Davy, Nathan Owens, Jeff White, and members Josh Davy, Bryan Owens, past presidents Matt Pritchard and Jerry Hemsted.) Arlo Stroing was missed, but he is recovering from two bypasses on March 26.