RULES FOR "IRM TIPS FOR PROFIT" CONTEST ANNOUNCED

DENVER, CO (July 31, 2000) – Rules and awards for a new nationwide contest that identifies practices of the country's most progressive cattlemen were announced today.  Sponsored by the Pennington Seed Company and administered by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), the contest could earn innovative cattle producers thousands of dollars in cash prizes, as well as a free trip to the industry's top annual event. 

The "IRM TIPS for Profit" contest is for cattle producers willing to share successful management ideas they use in their operations.  Top prize is $3,500 cash and a trip to the 2001 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Antonio next February.  Second prize is $1,500, and third is $1,000.  Up to 10 honorable mentions will also be recognized.

IRM stands for Integrated Resource Management, which was developed in the early 1980s to help cow/calf producers improve herd reproductive efficiency.  It has since evolved to include the entire farm and ranch resources and a systems approach to management.  An increasing number of cattle producers are incorporating IRM concepts into their own operations, creating new methods of improving operations.

"This contest will uncover some of the great management ideas being used by the most successful people in our industry," says Homer Buell, IRM Subcommittee Chair, Rose, Neb.  "Thanks to the involvement of Pennington Seed Company, we're able to motivate people to share their thinking, and give others some ideas for improving their own businesses." 

Any group or organization is eligible to nominate one cow/calf operation to the the "IRM TIPS for Profit" Contest.  Nominees are to be NCBA members.  Entries must be original, non-patented ideas, and will be judged by a selection committee representing various geographic regions of the country.  Seven regional winners will compete for the national award, and will have their ideas displayed at the San Antonio meeting and have their entries featured in BEEF Magazine. 

Entry deadline for the IRM Tips for Profit Contest is October 1, 2000.  For more detailed rules and entry forms, contact Renee Lloyd at (303) 850-3373 or email rlloyd@beef.org.

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the  trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.