The TCFA was created in 1967 to serve and advance the economic, political, and social interests of the cattle feeding industry in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. It is a non-profit organization with 200 feedyard members and up to 40,000 additional members involved in the cattle industry. The TCFA uses social media like Facebook and Twitter to promote the beef industry, and video conferencing and text messaging to communicate directly with members about market information and upcoming meetings. The text messaging program in particular seems effective, as members have expressed unhappiness when it is not functioning properly.

1. Laura Burandt
Kaley McCafferty
Jayce Winters – Market and
Membership Coordinator
TCFA
Texas Cattle Feeders
Association

2. Who is the TCFA
• TCFA was created in 1967 after feed yards in
the 1960’s began to increase.
• Non-Profit Organization
• 200 feed yards members and up to 40,000
other members associated with the cattle
feeding industry.
• They promote the beef industry as a whole.
• Offer educational programs, promoting the
beef industry.

3. Standing for the Mission
• “The mission of TCF is to serve and advance
the economic, political and social interests of
the cattle feeding industry of Texas, Oklahoma
and New Mexico.”

4. Stakeholders
• Members – Paying for the services of TCFA
• Sponsors – Bayer Healthcare and Elanco
Animal Healthcare
• Employees
• Committees

5. Uses of New Media
• Social Media- used mostly to promote the
beef industry, rather than TCFA as a company.
– Facebook
– Twitter

6. Uses of New Media Cont.
• I.T. departments sets up meetings via the
internet, to hard to get members together
making web meetings the easiest option.
– Skype
– Video Conferences
• Text messaging exclusive for TCFA members.
– Provides detailed and current market information
concerning the beef industry.

7. Does it Work?
“It makes members very unhappy when
something goes wrong with the program, and
they are not able to get TCFA’s detailed market
information.” – Jayce Winters
• This tells TCFA that the text message program
is being utilized by members to the point wher
they depend on it.

8. Does it Work? Cont.
• Facebook and Twitter followers are indicators
of their success in reaching the younger
generations of cattle producers.
• Older generations still prefer communication
in print form. – Old Media
• Measuring the amount of traffic on TCFA
website.

9. Jayce Winters
Texas Cattle Feeders Association

10. http://www.tcfa.org/