JA Brite Ranch named Outstanding Rangeland Stewards

Fort Worth, Texas - JA Ranch located near Bowie, Texas, received the 2009 Outstanding Rangeland Stewardship award from the Texas Section, Society for Range Management (TSSRM) and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA).

The award, presented at the TSCRA convention and at the TSSRM convention in October recognizes James K. "Rooter" and Lynda Brite for their outstanding skill and knowledge of practicing sound management and care of rangeland resources.

The JA Brite Ranch has had an active conservation plan with the Montague County Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) since 1964. A prescribed grazing plan, prescribed burning, riparian buffers, pipeline installation and brush control are just a few of the practices the ranch has benefited from over the last 40 years.

Additionally, Brite practices low impact and gentle handling management techniques with his cattle herd. The daily grazing rotation program Brite has implemented allows easy removal of cattle from the grain fields in icy or snowy conditions. This prevents trampling of forage.

"The Brites have applied innovative land management and generations of hard work to JA Ranch," said TSCRA President Dave Scott. "TSCRA is proud to partner with the TSSRM to honor one of our own members with this award for outstanding stewardship. We are equally proud to nominate Rooter and Lynda to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Environmental Stewardship Awards Program for 2010."

The TSSRM / TSCRA Outstanding Rangeland Stewardship Award is an opportunity for TSCRA to partner with the scientific society to honor TSCRA members who are expending remarkable efforts to improve and manage range and pasture lands and the resources, livestock and wildlife the lands support.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 133-year-old trade organization. As the largest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma. TSCRA provides law enforcement and livestock inspection services, legislative and regulatory advocacy, industry news and information, insurance services and educational opportunities for its members and the industry.

Left to right, G. Hughes Abell, TSCRA Natural Resources and Environment committee chair, Lynda Brite, Liz Brite holding Bailey Elizabeth, J.K. Brite, Rooter Brite, Dave Scott, TSCRA president