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MEETING |
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Open to Members and Guests
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Watch this space for notification of the next meeting.
Citizen's National Bank
310 N. 9th St.
Midlothian, TX 76065
Phone number for GPS only: 972-938-4300
(Please do not call this number for information)
Click for interactive map
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Members and Prospective Members Invited |
TEXAS LONGHORN COOPERATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Agenda for September 24, 2008
1. Call To Order
2. Verification of Quorum Present at Meeting
3. Financial Report
4. Central Market Update
5. Consideration and Approval of New USDA Affidavit
6. Report on Packaging Machine Use by Individuals/companies other than TLC
7. Consideration and Approval of Salary for General Manager
8. Consideration and Approval of Hamburger Sales
9. Removal of Board Members in Violation of Bylaws - Attendance
10. Nomination and Election of New Board Members to Replace Board Members Removed in Item Nine (9)
11. Nomination and Election of Vice President
12. Clarification of General Manager and President Roles
13. Brochure
14. Oklahoma Report
15. Farmers Market Grant
15.1 Consideration of laptop purchase
16. Consideration and Approval of Telephone Service Provider
17. Consideration of Internet Service
18. Consideration and Approval of Next Board of Directors Meeting
19. Adjourn
As proud members of the TxLonghornCoop program, we wish to announce that the Vacuum Package Machine that is needed to start our relationship with "Central Market" is now in place. Our scheduled product testing will be starting shortly.
Many thanks to Investors like "T.M. Smith" who made this happen!
COOP MEMBERS: Remember to talk to George Slayton to schedule your cattle so we can have a "steady flow" of animals to meet our weekly quota.
We are needing "members" that have "Grass Fed" Longhorns for "Central Market"
The grass fed program is our 'premium' market and our "Free Roaming Program" allows for grain fed longhorns.
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Natural Grass Fed Longhorn Beef is Now
Available in Texas!
January 1, 2008
TEXAS LONGHORN COOPERATIVE
P. O. Box 452 Rice, Texas 75155
903-326-4069
The TEXAS LONGHORN COOPERATIVE (TLC) was established on April 13, 2007 by Longhorn Breeders as a Texas Department of Agriculture Licensed Cooperative that is a member-owned and operated not-for-profit organization for the processing and marketing of USDA Inspected, Natural Grass Fed Texas Longhorn Beef. The Mission of this Cooperative is "To provide quality low fat, hormone free, grass fed longhorn beef raised by independent producers".
The primary purpose of the TLC is to provide a resource by which independent Longhorn producers can supply Longhorns for processing while realizing significantly higher prices per pound for their product than they would receive at local Sale Barns. The TLC functions as the link between the producer and the retail customer via providing packaged cuts of beef direct to the supermarket and other retail outlets, thereby eliminating the "middleman" from the rancher to consumer chain.
A USDA Approved "100% Natural Grass Fed Beef" Label has been issued. Also, additional USDA Approved Labels for "Grain Fed Longhorn Beef" and "Sausage" are expected to be issued in early 2008. These additional labels will further expand the marketing opportunities for Texas Longhorn Breeders.
The TLC was conceived by Longhorn Breeders. This program will work for both small and large producers. The USDA Inspected processing facility is in Malone, Texas. They handle the processing and packaging of the producer’s beef. Each producer is assigned a number to each processed package, assuring that wholesale and retail sales of that producer’s beef is paid only to that producer. Packaged cuts are not commingled with those of other producers, with the exception of sausages.
Longhorn Breeders already know about the "low fat and low cholesterol" benefits of Texas Longhorn Beef. One of the goals is to advertise and market Longhorn Beef to people who are seeking a health-conscious, lean diet. Along with the usual cuts of beef, this beef can be supplied in sausages, hamburger, chili meat, and other forms to round out the consumer’s selection. Frozen beef products can also be sold over the TLC internet website via special shipping containers. This will significantly expand the marketability of Texas Longhorn Beef.
Where Are We Going?
We are in negotiation with Central Market to carry a complete line of Longhorn Beef in eight stores beginning August of 2008. We also have contacts to sell hides, horns, and skulls to businesses as close as Oklahoma and as far away as New Zealand.
What Are The USDA, FSIS, and TLC Requirements for "Natural Grass Fed Beef"?
• 100% Grass Fed from birth until processing. No Grain, Grain By-Products, Urea or Animal By-Products.*
• Cattle raised totally as free roaming on pastures their entire life.*
*Cattle born prior to November 15, 2007 are grandfathered but must follow the new grass fed guidelines effective that date.
• Cattle have not been fed or injected with any hormones or steroids.
• Cattle have never been confined to a feed lot.
• Cattle have not been fed or injected with any antibiotics within 6 months prior to processing.
• Cattle subject to testing at processing. If carcass fails testing, it will be returned to the owner at owner's expense.
What Are The Requirements for TLC Membership?
• Annual Membership Dues of $100.
• Cattle must be registered with an Association to Verify breed & lineage. If an animal is
not registered, the Longhorn must be a minimum of 7/8 Longhorn breed (Affidavit Required).
• The member’s ranch will be inspected by a TLC representative to verify the Longhorns’
condition, adequacy of free-range pasture, and other requirements.
• Completion and signing of a Member Affidavit to Verify Producer’s Natural
Grass Fed Beef Program.
• Ranches are subject to spot inspections by USDA and FSIS Inspectors and an audit of
purchases of feeding ingredients, animals, and pastures at any time.
What Are the Costs Involved in The Processing?
• Euthanization Fee
• Hide & Head Processing Fee (Optional)
• Bone Out or Sliced Meat Fee (Includes Packaging Cost)
• TLC Commission
Are There Other Benefits or Payments for the Producer?
Yes. Selected hides and horns can be sold through the Coop. There will, of course, be
processing charges for hides and head (or) horn mounts which will be charged against the producer’s sale of these finished items if they choose to keep these items.
In the Final Analysis:
Longhorn producers have been consistently low-balled at local sale barns for their live animals sold at auction due to "Breed, Hide, and Horn" issues. The TLC offers a profitable and viable option for producers to market their Longhorn Cattle as "Beef" direct to the retail consumer without being discounted by the middleman taking all of the beef producers' profits. The TLC program provides the producer with "Dollars Per Pound" of packaged weight as opposed to "Cents Per Pound" received on live weight at Sale Barns. It is also an important tool for producers use in marketing their non-breeding quality offspring as well as those adult Longhorns that have served their useful purpose in the rancher’s program.
After all the processing fees and commissions have been paid, the producer can average up to three times the amount expected from sale barn prices. This is based on the cattle that have been processed to date. Voluntary sales of hides and horns can further add to the producer’s income. The TLC program is a tremendous opportunity to profit by the Longhorn Producer.
For further information and membership forms contact George Slayton At 903-326-4069 or visit us at www.txlonghorncoop.org where you may also print out forms.
For general questions feel free to ask Sandy (806-205-1235), for hard core facts and numbers please call George Slayton! 903-326-4069
Cooking Longhorn Beef
Since Longhorn Beef is naturally lean it should be cooked slowly! There is less excess fat to insulate the meat from the grill or oven heat. And, do not overcook lean meat! It needs to show some slight pinkness to it or it will be tough to chew; however GROUND BEEF should ALWAYS be cooked well-done!.
Most of the cooking sources I have reviewed suggest that you briefly sear Longhorn beef about 60 seconds on each side with hot coals or skillet to keep the juices in. Then, depending on your preference for doneness, finish cooking the meat on each side. With thicker cuts, a meat thermometer is recommended.
With the Longhorn beef, it is also recommended to season and/or marinate the meat about 30 minutes prior to cooking to enhance its flavor. When oven cooking roasts, ribs, steaks, use lower temperatures of about 275 to 325 deg. F., and cook in a covered oven safe container. They also do well in a slow-cooker, cooked for 4-8 hours, depending on weight of meat and cooker temperature setting.
When grilling burgers, steaks, or ribs on your outdoor grill, you may also wish to add some damp wood chips such as mesquite, hickory, or cherry to the coals to add additional flavor to your meat.
As with any meat...always use safe handling techniques with raw meat!
Longhorn Beef: Low Fat & Cholesterol
Texas Longhorn Cattle beef is naturally low in saturated fat and cholesterol; and it also has fewer calories per 3.5 oz. serving than most other meats! [According to USDA and other sources]. It is lower in fat and cholesterol than white meat chicken or turkey.
In comparison, beef from "commercial" or "continental" cattle breeds (most often found in your supermarket for a 3.5 oz. serving) lean ground has 272 calories, 20.7 grams of fat, and 87.7 mgs of cholesterol. Longhorn Ground Beef has 160 calories, 3.7 grams of fat, and 61.5 mgs of cholesterol! Light meat chicken was reported to have 173 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, and 85.7 mgs of cholestrol for the 3.5 oz. serving.
For the health conscious consumer, those who have been advised by their Doctor to pursue a low fat, low cholesterol meat diet...well...there's no better choice than to ask for "Texas Longhorn Beef"!
Other Longhorn Information and Tips
Special Feeder for Horned Cattle
We use two types of round bale feeders for our horned cattle. The one in this picture is manufactured by "Tarter Gate". The other type we use is manufactured by "Applegate Steel" and is red-colored with even-sided upright loops. These feeders are recommended for both horses and horned cattle. Longhorns have been known to "catch" a lighter weight feeder with their horns (when the hay bale is below the bottom metal skirt) and pull the feeder off the remaining bale to access more hay (they might also do it with a heavy weight feeder...lol.
Conventional bale feeders do not work well for horned cattle since they are lighter weight and horns can get stuck in the slotted upright dividers that have a closed ring around the top.
Sandy's Note: We have had two heifers manage to get their head in the middle of the middle of this Blue hay ring pictured. They were about 1 1/2 years of age when they done this. The trick is to get one horn tip back out, then the chin, this is done while you are standing in the center of the ring. That way you are out of the heifer's way when you release her.) This blue ring is lighter weight than the Applegate Steel and shows wear faster. So my personal recommendation is the Applegate Steel Product.
Body Condition Score (BCS)
You've probably all heard aboaut the "BCS" Score which is frequently applied to commercial breeds. This scoring system is a 9-point scale which is used to evaluate body condition and carcass potential at slaughter. Longhorn cattle score a little lower on the average than "slaughter beef" cattle due to their genetics and structure. However, this does not make them less of a bovine. The Longhorn has a unique positive trait called "Hooks and Pins" which are protrusions of bone on their hindquarters, regardless of their BCS. The more "traditional" and original lineage the Texas Longhorn is...the more obvious are their "Hooks and Pins", with probably a BCS of 4 to 5; the more "beefier" the conformation and lineage is (as in the cow's photo on the left) the BCS is probably between a 5 and 6.
The bony protrusions just below the "tailhead" are called "pins". The bony protrusions near the topline about aligned with the front of their hip (or udder in a female) are called "hooks".
A Longhorn (on the average) should score around "5" (on a scale of 1 to 9) on the BCS system: Shoulders and hindquarters showing fair muscling with the backbone visible (but not "bony"), little evidence of fat in the brisket, over the ribs or around the tailhead.
At the extremes of the BCS System, a score of "1" is Severely emaciated and a score of "9" is very obese with difficulty in walking and getting up and down.
End of the Trail...
When it's time...and your beautiful Texas Longhorn has served his or her purpose and it's time for their ultimate reward in "Cattle Heaven"...
You not only have had years of pleasure with your Longhorn, quality calves born, and all... yet, whatever price you paid for your Longhorn, there is still value at the end... unlike the "other" breeds...
Their colorful hides, great horns, and beautiful shoulder mounts prepared by your Taxidermist will provide you with your own memories; or, products that carry a premium price for collectors! Colorful full hides can sell for $1,500 or so! Horn and shoulder mounts have similar prices. And, some distributors sell bull penis, scrotums as artifacts...even mounted tails and hoofs are available.
Something to think about!
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