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Saturday, November 30, 2013 – Daily News 5A Agriculture farm & ranch Cattle convention in Sparks The California Cattlemen's Association weekly bulletin written by Stevie Ipsen had the following: "Last week, more than 600 cattlemen and women from California and Nevada converged upon Sparks, Nev., for a joint industry convention, "standing room only" was a major theme as nearly every meal, educational event and committee meeting left no empty chairs. "As the largest policymaking and educational event for California beef producers, the actual theme, "Preserving the Past, Ensuring the Future," held true as the annual meeting provided an opportunity for beef industry members and supporting partners to work toward a more promising future for their way of life. Attendees of the meeting Courtesy photo had the opportunity to work The 2013 CowBelles of the Year were recognized at the CCA/CCW convenon policy that impacts their tion at John Ascuga's Nugget in Sparks, Nevada. Tehama County's Jeanne way of life, network with Smith is top row, far left, and Betty Peek is front row, center. fellow producers and learn the latest news and informa- somehow I have never for- port for whatever musical ply. In Corning and Red guest was appearing. For Bluff, Rabobank and Pretion to benefit their ranching gotten that incident. Over the years we the first few years, there was mier West Bank. Cottonoperations. "Perhaps the most mem- enjoyed watching Bertha even a dance line, a wood – Shasta Farm and orable event of the week and Tiny, the elephants in holdover of the club tradi- Equipment. There will be a live auccame when CCA gave its the Circus Room along with tion begun in places like highest honor, the Gordon head-liner acts like Red New York's Copacabana tion and a silent auction of various items donated. Dick K. Van Vleck Memorial Skelton, Liberace, Wayne and the Latin Quarter. "The Nugget hosted the and Diane Kirchner of Ten Award, to legendary indus- Newton, Marty Robbins, try member and supporter Debbie Reynolds, Roy Dorothy Dorben Dancers, Point Ranch have donated 4 John Ascuaga, whose hotel Clark, Roger Miller, Hank who performed an opening MVP tickets to Oakland A's and casino has hosted the Thompson, Andy Williams, number, usually just follow- Baseball Game with VIP annual convention for many Rowan & Martin to name ing Bertha, and often joined parking and if golf is your in the shows themselves if game, the Kirchner's have years. Tears were shed and some of the acts we saw. donated a round of golf at From "50 Years of the headliner required it." laughs were shared as the Each year in February in the Olympic Club in San funny, yet feisty Ascuaga, Memories". "It was at the who was joined by his son, Nugget where country the 70's, a group from Francisco for three people. A Rolling Hills Casino Stephen, and wife, Rose, music began to make Tehama County enjoyed a candidly shared his pride in inroads into casino enter- brief vacation from feeding "Stay and Play" Package his business life and ranch- tainment. For a long time, it cows when we attended the has been donated by was considered too back- Nugget Hereford Sale on Rolling Hills Casino. Once ing life. "I have always believed woods for sophisticated the stage of the show again we are fortunate to in doing business with a environments, but the room. The sale would start have a handmade western handshake," said the nearly Nugget began booking tal- with the Auctioneer Song quilt made and donated by Sandra Merhoff. 89-year-old Ascuaga, who ents like Roy Clark and Mel with Dick Van Dyke. The flyer for the winter When the curtain rose, recently sold the hotel and Tillis and the Oak Ridge casino venue. "I am proud Boys. The old pea picker the stage was filled with dinner will be appearing in himself, Ten- Hereford bulls and heifers store windows this coming to associate with nessee Ernie and the people at the halters week. It was designed by men and women Ford, was a were kneeling down, so all committee member Farm like you who still favorite, as was you saw were white faces Advisor Josh Davy. do business with *** Glen Campbell, and red bodies as glitter a handshake... as It was a beautiful autumn Crystal Gayle, sprinkled on the hair I slow down, I day when a large group of Louise Mandrell sparkled. look forward to John had a ranch in family and ranching friends and Kris Kristofnew adventures ferson. Country Smith Valley and there was gathered at the Vina – and going back music became not a 60 mile cattle drive to Carter Cemetery to bid to my roots. only a permanent Bridgeport for summer good-bye to a fellow ranchRanching was presence at the grazing with the 1,000 er Curtis Knox. Pastor Dan my first love and Nugget, but mother cows. If you were Woolery mentioned how has remained lucky you received an invi- Curtis's wife Sue had Herearound the state. one of the greatJean "Patrons made tation to be a cowboy. We fords and he had Angus est joys in my reservations, lined saw the movie about the cat- when they married and life." up to be seated by tle drive. Food, drink and combined their herds of cat"Ascuaga was tle. longtime maître cards. recognized by Their children Case, As Ascuaga said "For 59 d' Cor longtime family Van der Stokker, and years, the ranch has sup- Stewart and La Trecia friend, CCA Treasurer Jack Hanson, who recounted attended either a dinner plied damn good beef." He Weiss were active in 4-H events of Ascuaga's ranch- show, which began at 8 also mentioned his good and FFA showing beef cating life and business ven- p.m., or a cocktail show, friend and fellow rancher tle at the county fair and tures. The Van Vleck Award which began at 11 p.m. The Frank Hagata of Susanville, Curtis was a member of the is given annually to an early show was family-ori- who was seated at his table Junior Livestock Auction Committee. industry member who is ented; the late show more that night. Curtis was a past presi*** known more for their sup- adult, although John AscuaThe Tehama County dent of Tehama County port of the industry than for ga would not allow much Cattlemen and Cattle- Cattlemen in 1994-1995, being a cattle producer. blue material at any time. "The room staff some- Women invite you and your and the cattlemen made a Ascuaga emulates the purpose of this award as his how managed between the friends to attend the 62nd donation in memory of passion for ranching and hours of 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Annual Winter Dinner and Knox to the CCA Livestock Research Ag-Scholarship Memorial generosity towards beef nightly to provide 900 11th producers are evident to all patrons with cocktails, fundraiser on Saturday, Jan- Fund. In 1997 he was honored with the TCCA "Man who know him and know of salad, dinner, dessert, cof- uary 4th at 6 p.m. It will be a Vic Woolery of the Year" award. fee, and after- dinner drinks him." Pall bearers were ranchHe mentioned in 1955 , before clearing the floor so prime rib dinner at the a 60 seat Nugget Coffee as not to disturb the enter- Tehama District Fairground ers Tucker Baccala, Terry Show, and now a 1,600 tainer. It was a feat that Auditorium, with presale Pochop, Flint Stumbaugh, room hotel and casino. Bill required the planning and tickets at $25 and $30 at the Garen Wimer, Dick O'Sullivan, Dave Garst and honand I stayed in the Nugget execution of a major mili- door. Tickets will be sold in orary pall bearers were John Motor Lodge when it first tary operation. "An evening in the the- Red Bluff at Hawes Ranch Harper, Button Daugherty, opened in October 1960, guaranteed & Farm Supply, The Loft, Tod Leininger and Mike when we brought cattle ater Health Chraston. from Emerald Angus to a elegance. There was a Animal Sparks, NV cattle sale. house orchestra, first led by (Walco), Red Bluff Bull and Jean Barton can be There was a basket of fresh Leighton Noble and then by Gelding Sale, Northern Calat fruit in the room, and Bill Don Conn. They provided ifornia Farm Credit, Cross- reached cut his thumb on the knife; both dinner music and sup- roads Feed & Ranch Sup- jbarton2013@gmail.com. Settlement reached in California beef recall case SANTA ANA (AP) — A California slaughterhouse, a meat-packing facility and two companies that provided loans to the operations have agreed to settlements after allegations of inhumane treatment led to a massive recall that included beef sold to the National School Lunch Program, according to the deal announced Wednesday. The parties settled the lawsuit for $155 million, but the Justice Department determined the defendants could only afford to pay a total of about $3.1 million because they were financially devastated by the recall. In 2008, the Humane Society of the United States released grainy video taken by an undercover investigator posing as an employee that showed crippled and sick cows being kicked, shocked and shoved with forklifts at the Chino-based Westland Meat Co. and Hallmark Meat Packing Co. The video led to the record-breaking recall of 143 million pounds of beef, including an estimated 37 million pounds that went to the school lunch program. The so-called ''downer'' cows aren't supposed to be slaughtered for human consumption because of the risk of disease, and the recall prompted school districts nationwide to scour their pantries for targeted meat — although most of it had likely been consumed. The federal government and the Humane Society ultimately filed a joint lawsuit that alleged the Chinobased businesses had run afoul of the federal False Claims Act because the man who provided the loans, the late Aaron ''Arnie'' Magidow, had previous felony convictions, including lying to a federal inspector. Under the law, the plaintiffs argued, the meat facilities could not legally sell beef to the National School Lunch Program. They accused the firms of concealing Magidow's backing to win the lucrative contract. Magidow's two companies, M&M Management and Cattlemen's Choice, and his estate agreed to pay $2.45 million in the settlement. Westland and its owner, Steve Mendell, will pay $240,000. Donald R. Hallmark and Donald W. Hallmark settled for $304,130 in October 2012. ''They were saying that they were providing humane treatment and their contracts required it, but they weren't doing it. It's the same as someone selling the Pentagon tanks saying they can go 55 mph when they can actually go 20 mph,'' said Jonathan R. Lovvorn, chief counsel for the Humane Society. ''The real story here is that taxpayers lost a huge amount of money on this.'' Barton The Over 25 years of experience STOVE JUNCTION BBQ PELLETS RUNNINGS ROOFING The North State's premier supplier of stoves Now in Stock! Popular customer request Serving Butte, Glenn & Tehama Counties Tues-Sat 9am-5pm • Closed Sun & Mon 22825 Antelope Blvd., Red Bluff 530-528-2221 • Fax 530-528-2229 www.thestovejunction.com All makes and models. 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