Contact Burt Rutherford                                                                                                 March 31, 1999

Warren White at Mc6 Cattle Feeders

(806) 578-4325

Mc6 CATTLE FEEDERS NAMED

TCFA ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD WINNER

Mc6 Cattle Feeders of Hereford was named the winner of the 1999 Environmental Stewardship Award, presented by the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

While Mc6 Cattle Feeders is a relatively new feedyard, operating as a commercial feeding entity since 1989, it's part of a long-standing farming and ranching operation in the Hereford area. The 35,000 head feedyard is located in the center of a

5 ½-section farm and ranch north of Hereford.

The feedyard has implemented an aggressive effort to recycle and reclaim its manure and wastewater. These organic nutrients are applied to surrounding farmland, increasing its productivity. During dry periods, an underground watering system can be used to wet roads and alleyways, which reduces blowing dust.

In addition, the operation has cross-fenced large pastures on the ranch, allowing for environmentally sound grazing. Water lines and water tanks on the ranch not only help distribute cattle for even grazing, but benefit wildlife by providing strategically located sources of water. In the future, the operation plans to plant wildlife-friendly windbreaks to further enhance habitat.

"The management at Mc6 believes that sound environmental and conservation practices improve the productivity of the land," says Manager Warren White. "By implementing sound environmental practices, we have increased the carrying capacity of the pasture and farm land by 40% while actually increasing farm yields, growth of native range plants and helping our wildlife from quail to songbirds. And we've recycled our manure and wastewater, using these valuable resources to enhance our operation."

The winner of the TCFA Environmental Stewardship Award was chosen by an outside selection committee comprised of environmental management professionals. Mc6 Cattle Feeders will now compete against cattle operations in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas for the regional Environmental Stewardship Award presented by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Regional winners will then compete for the national award sponsored by NCBA.

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