Advice on tackling regulations dominates agenda

By DAN WHEAT

Capital Press

CLE ELUM, Wash. -- Dyed diesel, animal traceability and Washington's wolf plan are on the agenda of the 85th annual Washington Cattlemen's and Cattle Women's Associations Convention and Tradeshow.

About 200 to 300 people are expected to attend the convention at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Nov. 10-13.

The Internal Revenue Service penalized a Western Washington farmer for driving farm equipment with dyed diesel -- untaxed farm fuel -- on public roads to get from one field to another, which is "an enormous concern" for anyone in agriculture, said Jack Field, executive vice president of the Cattlemen's Association. Penalties are very steep, he said.

The rising price of corn and its effect on feeder cattle costs is also on the minds of cattlemen, Field said.

Convention topics include:

* How process verified programs, identification and traceability are used by U.S. cattle industry competitors to export into Pacific Rim nations that the U.S. cannot. Gary Edwards, of Integrated Traceability Solutions in Australia, is a speaker.

* Status of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife's wolf plan and issues and challenges of people grazing public lands. Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark is on that panel.

* Proposed revisions to the Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyard Act of 1932. The comment period ends Nov. 22.

* An update of the association's breeds and bull sale committee on procedure and the number of bulls tested for sale next March 23.

Larry Olbdering, a third-generation cattle rancher from Connell, is expected to be elected president of the Cattlemen's Association for the coming year. Linda Serosky, Royal City, likely will be elected Cattlewomen's Association president.

Cowboy humorist Baxter Black will tell stories at the Friday night banquet.

The convention ends Saturday, Nov. 13, with the 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pfizer Cattlemen's College. Topics include managing mycoplasma, new discoveries in respiratory immunology, how new intranasal vaccine can be used, updates in genetic testing and use of growth enhancements at branding.

For more information: www.washingtoncattlemen.org