Market Study Tour Agenda

           Market Study Tour >> Market Study Tour Agenda  

 DAY 1 – MONDAY, MARCH 9

  • 5:12 a.m. nonstop flight from Des Moines to Dallas, Texas. 
  • Upon arrival, visit with the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association - the oldest and largest cattle organization in Texas. Founded in 1877, its members helped shape the future policy of the cattle industry. 
  • Travel to Waco. 
  • Visit the Texas Farm Bureau Headquarters for a discussion and lunch. 
  • Afternoon visit to Dr. Ranley’s cattle operation. A Texas A&M Alumnus, this veterinarian provides services for cow/calf producers and owns a backgrounding and cattle-feeding operation. 
  • Travel to the Austin area to check into your hotel and enjoy a Texas BBQ dinner. 


DAY 2 - TUESDAY, MARCH 10

  • Breakfast 
  • Depart for the Texas Capitol for a morning meeting with the Texas Beef Council to discuss record high cattle prices and other topics. 
  • Meeting with the Texas Animal Health Commission to discuss regulatory environment and biosecurity briefings. 
  • Lunch 
  • Meeting with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, to discuss the Moorepark projects and other biosecurity concerns related to animal health inspections across the border. 
  • Potential visit with Sid Miller, the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture and eighth generation farmer and rancher. 
  • Depart for San Antonio to check into your hotel. 

DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11

  • Breakfast 
  • Tour and discussion on cattle industry with the Texana Feeders Ltd. feedlot. This family owned, modern cattle feeding operation is a large-scale farm, where thousands of heads are finished with precision nutrition programs and advanced management practices to ensure efficiency, quality beef production, and has strong ties to the local ranching community. 
  • Lunch with Dean & Peeler Meats - a supplier that raises high quality Angus beef along with premium pork and chicken products. 
  • Afternoon visit to the expansive East Foundation Ranch, where experts will share insights on the challenges posed by the New World Screwworm fly and complex border issues, and how innovative strategies are being used to safeguard both the sustainability and productivity of large-scale ranching operations. 
  • Overnight San Antonio area. 

DAY 4 – THURSDAY, MARCH 12

  • Breakfast 
  • Travel to Graham Land & Cattle Company, a major beef enterprise that combines cattle feeding with investment programs. The operation maintains the capacity to finish 30,000 head in its feedlot while backgrounding an additional 15,000 head. 
  • Lunch
  • Visit the J.D. Hudgins ranch, located 50 miles southwest of Houston, which specializes in the raising of the American Brahman breed. 
  • Travel to the airport in Houston for your 8:10 p.m. direct flight back to Des Moines - arriving at 10:30 p.m. 
This itinerary is subject to change without prior approval. Please note that if a last-minute cancellation occurs, a replacement technical visit will be arranged.


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