AgriCurrents, Feb. 7, 2003

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				2002 beef checkoff summary available
				Texas beef producers can keep abreast of the beef checkoff program's growing global influence by reading the 2002 state-national checkoff annual summary. The summary is now available by contacting the Texas Beef Council (TBC) at 1-800-846-4113 or beef@txbeef.org. Limited copies also will be available from most Texas auction markets and feedyards. Producers also can receive a summary from the TBC representatives at various beef producer meetings in Texas throughout the year. Producers who want a more detailed audited financial statement of the Texas beef checkoff program also may request it from TBC. The 2002 summary provides a quick look at state-national programs of beef education, promotion and research that are funded by Texas beef producers through the $1 per head checkoff. The summary also includes a roundup of various programs along with pie charts that show the multiple areas producers make possible out of each $1. By law, 50 cents of each checkoff dollar must go to the Cattlemen's Beef Board for national promotions with the other half dollar invested in state, national and international programs by TBC's board of directors. John Dudley of Comanche, chairman of TBC's board, recommends every Texas beef producer take time to review how the checkoff program performed last year. "TBC's board includes 20 members, all Texas beef producers," Dudley said. "We make the decisions on how to improve our industry's profit potential through investment of Texas checkoff dollars. We encourage our fellow Texas producers to look over this annual summary, and contact TBC by phone or e-mail with any questions or comments on the checkoff."
				Dierschke elected to AFBF's board
				Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke, a Tom Green County cotton, milo and wheat producer, was elected to the American Farm Bureau Federation board of directors at the AFBF convention in Tampa, Fla., Jan. 21. Dierschke will serve the Sou-thern Region on the 26-member board. Also elected to the board was Colorado Farm Bureau President Alan Foutz and Craig Lang, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau.
				New hog waste process developed
				Agriculture Department scientists have developed a process that can remove phosphorus from swine production wastewater and turn it into a solid, marketable fertilizer. The innovative process converts the leftover effluent into a liquid crop fertilizer that is more environmentally friendly than manure. "This technology is a good example of how agricultural research can provide benefits to everyone through environmental protection and improvement," said Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. "This research provides an opportunity to help farmers better protect the environment and enhance the soil they use for planting." A patent application has been submitted for the combined nitrogen- and phosphorus-removal processes, which will be tested through next summer at a full-scale demonstration facility that opened earlier this month in Duplin County, N.C.
				Golden Acres moves to Waco
				More than 70 customers, business associates, friends and members of the media gathered in Waco, Jan. 10, to celebrate the relocation of Golden Acres Genetics, Ltd. to Waco. Golden Acres Genetics, a corn and sorghum seed supplier focusing on serving farmers in the Southern United States, relocated to Waco for a variety of reasons. "Golden Acres has chosen to serve farmers in the Southern United States," said Lou Buice, president of Golden Acres, "so it is only natural that we locate here in Central Texas. "Texas was also an easy choice, since this is where our family and many of our employees consider home." Golden Acres has seven employees and eight independent sales representatives primarily serving Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The company's original corporate office was in Plano, and soon after moved to Moody, until suitable quarters could be found in nearby Waco. The organization is now located at 205 Old Hewitt Road in Waco, between Highway 84 and Imperial Drive.
				Notable Quotables
				"The agreed payment is only 23 percent of the 1.5 million acre feet owed by Mexico, and amounts to only 11 percent of the water Mexico has in storage and could deliver to our struggling farmers." — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs regarding some 3.2 million acre feet of water Mexico is holding in storage in border-area reservoirs.