Bredesen Honored by Tennessee Cattlemen

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today met with members of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association to recognize the organization’s 25^th anniversary and the importance of cattle production to the state’s rural economy.

 

At the meeting, TCA president Steve Scott of Giles County presented Bredesen with a custom made cowboy hat in recognition of his support for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program. 

 

“I want to thank the Cattlemen’s Association for this thoughtful gift and for taking the time and effort to express their appreciation in this way,” said Bredesen. “Cattle production is our top farm commodity and TCA has been a great partner as we’ve made investments to increase farm income in this very important sector of our agricultural economy.”

 

TAEP was established in 2005 by Bredesen and supported by the Tennessee General Assembly to help farmers invest in infrastructure and best management practices that increase farm profitability. Since the program’s inception, more than $40 million has been invested in nearly 15,500 farm projects across the state, including cattle genetic improvement and livestock handling equipment purchases. 

 

Also meeting with Bredesen at the state Capitol were TCA executive committee member Ken Sandrell from Ethridge, TCA Executive Vice President Charles Hord from Murfreesboro, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation President Lacy Upchurch from Crossville and Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Ken Givens. 

 

Cattle and calves are the largest generator of farm income in Tennessee with more than $534 million in farm cash receipts and 47,000 cattle farms in 2008 according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. For more information about the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program visit www.TN.gov/agriculture/enhancement.