The High Ground of Texas : Members






May 14, 2008

The High Ground of Texas
401 N. 3rd Street
P.O. Box 716
Stratford, TX 79084

Tel: 806-366-7510
Fax: 806-366-7511
higround@xit.net

The High Ground of Texas is involved in the recruitment and expansion of several target markets that are a good fit for the economy of the region. The marketing plan consists of several varied industries that both capitalize on a strong existing business base as well as diversifying the region’s economy. The current target markets of the High Ground of Texas include manufacturing, food processing, advanced beef processing, value added agricultural products, customer service centers, and the growing dairy industry. The High Ground of Texas has shown a great deal of success in each of these industries.

Each High Ground community has a unique personality and is involved in the marketing of several other industries as well. The High Ground serves as a resource for their local efforts to pursue economic growth.

But there’s room for more! Let us show you how your company can take advantage of the many assets the High Ground of Texas region has to offer!

Agricultural Abundance
Texas Agricultural Statistics Provided by USDA & Texas Department of Agriculture

COMMODITY	HG Totals	State Totals	% of State Production
All Cattle & Calves (hd)	4,313,000	13,900,000	31%
Milk Cows (hd)	23,400	345,000	6.8%
Sheep & Lambs (hd)	50,700	1,100,00	4.6%
Hogs (hd)	794,000	920,000	86.3%
Milk Production (lbs)	388,000,000	5,735,000,000	6.8%
Wheat Production (bu)	30,218,000	66,000,000	45.8%
Corn Production (bu)	140,917,000	235,600,000	59.8%
Cotton Production (bales)	2,363,000	3,940,000	60.0%
Oats Production (bu)	126,900	4,300,000	3.0%
Peanut Production (lbs)	545,025,000	698,500,000	78%
Sorghum Production (cwt)	14,026,000	80,276,000	17.5%
Soybean Production (bu)	2,858,000	7,020,000	40.7%
Sunflower Production (lbs)	31,025,000	35,000,000	88.6%

Heat-N-Serve Project

In an effort to capitalize on one of the region’s strongest basic industry’s, the High Ground of Texas and Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) are collaborating on an effort that, if successful, will yield a significant economic boost to the region.

"One of the hottest consumer trends in recent years, at least in the beef industry, is convenient, value-added heat-and-serve beef items," according to Jim Waterfield of Canadian, former TCFA Chairman. "These items solve a busy mom’s biggest problems-how to provide a fast but nutritious and tasty meal for her family".

Cattle Feeding Country of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico has long led the nation in beef production. Last year, the region produced 7.3 million head-30% of the nation’s beef. "The supply of raw product is here in abundance," Waterfield says, "It made sense to us to see if we couldn’t attract some value-added processing to our area".

For more than a year, TCFA and the High Ground have been working to develop some fundamental information on the value-added beef processing industry that economic development specialists can use. Last year, Dr. Kary Mathis at Texas Tech University produced an economic feasibility study that showed very promising numbers. The study has been reviewed by industry professionals and is now being produced into the final package.

This is a joint venture with the High Ground of Texas, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and the Texas Department of Agriculture.

FACT SHEET

Land Prices: Good Rich Land available with excellent water. Average Prices range from $800.00 to $2000.00 per acre.

Milk Production: Milk production averages 65-90 lbs. per day. Production is consistent, making the region very attractive to new and expanding dairies.

Tax Structure: Dairies are agriculture exempt. Production equipment and cattle are not taxed. Many of the locations in the High Ground region have some of the lowest tax structures in the state.

Labor: Available Labor Force-wage schedule averages $5.75 to $9.00 per hour.

Climate: It's a great climate for dairies! Low rainfall amounts, low humidity, and moderate temperatures are a huge asset to the industry.

Transportation: Transportation outlets are numerous and the ability to efficiently truck milk to processing facilities is another competitive advantage of the High Ground of Texas. Most regional dairies use processing facilities in Amarillo, Lubbock, or Portales, NM.

Feed Availability: Feed is available locally and you may contract directly with the farmers.

THE TOP TEN REASONS WE HAVE WHAT IT TAKES FOR DAIRIES TO SUCCEED

Weather/Climate - Dairy cows readily adapt to our warm days, cool nights, and low humidity. The weather and terrain are "dairy friendly". Just like us!
Land - The trend toward larger, more efficient dairies continues into the 21st century. The High Ground of Texas is ideally suited for these dairies. But the small ones are welcome too!
Water - The Ogallala Aquifer provides an ample supply of underground water. Yep...we’ve got plenty!
Feed Availability - Alfalfa, corn, corn silage, milo, sorghum, hay, and cotton products are plentiful and competitively prices. Our dairy producers normally buy most, if not all, of their alfalfa from local growers using irrigation, which gives the buyer the pick of the highest quality forage in the country.
Better Animal Health - Dairy cows in the High Ground of Texas show a lower incidence of mastitis or other animal health problems because the humidity is lower.
Pro-Agribusiness Environment - Support for the dairy industry and agriculturally related business is strong among the communities in our area. Agribusiness is a traditional sector, which has long term support. Financial institutions here understand the agriculture-based economy and communities often provide incentives for job creation.
Environmental Permitting - The High Ground of Texas representatives will personally walk your environmental permits through the permitting process.
Market for Milk - As the cheese making industry expands in the Midwest and West, and also to the Southwest, the demand for milk also increases.
Lower Cost of Doing Business - Lower building costs and overall operating costs mean higher profits.
Higher Production - Our cows consistently receive high marks in "production per cow." While most of the other dairy states are showing no growth or a decline in total milk production, the High Ground of Texas is still posting a modest but consistent increase.

MAPS

A Strong High Ground Economy with Room to Grow!

The long growing season and the irrigated land make the area ideally suited for the growing of any number of crops. Some of the best quality corn used in corn chip production is grown in the region. A variety of vegetables in addition to all major field crops are produced in the High Ground. The well-suited conditions provide an excellent potential for the development of high value specialty crops in the area.

More than 25 crops are produced commercially in the High Ground region. Primary crops include wheat, sorghum, corn, sugar beets, hay, soybeans, cotton and vegetables.

The fed cattle industry has served as the backbone for the development of one of the most highly productive agricultural regions in the world. The temperate climate and friendly environmental conditions had lead to a steady increase in the fed cattle industry since the industry’s initial explosion in the early 70’s. The industry serves as one of the largest employers in the High Ground region. IBP, ConAgra, and Excel are just a few of the processing companies who have made the region their home for beef processing.

The opportunity to take our raw commodities and process them into a finished, marketable products is a main target of the High Ground of Texas.

Manufacturing Continues to be a Strong Economic Indicator!

The manufacturing industry continues to show its strength in the High Ground of Texas! Regardless of the product, there is a place for you in the region!

Our many manufacturing facilities produce a diverse variety of products including fiberglass, copper, playground equipment, packaging, electronics, farm equipment, safety supplies, plastics, shutters, mobile homes, apparel, wall board, aluminum ingots, frak tanks, bowling equipment, petroleum pipeline, and more!

A high work ethic, numerous transportation outlets, proximity to markets, and low utility costs all contribute to the growth of the manufacturing industry.

So whether you are manufacturing the V-2 Osprey or race car body parts – the High Ground of Texas is the place to boost your bottom line!

The High Ground of Texas......a great place to live, play and produce ethanol. Traditionally ethanol has been produced in the "Corn Belt" of the Midwest. When the Legislature of the State of Texas passed an ethanol production incentive in 2003, Texas became a viable alternative to the Midwest.

Why The High Ground of Texas, other than the $3,024,000 ($.168 per gallon up to 18 million gallons per year for 10 years) annual subsidy for an ethanol plant? The Texas Panhandle of Texas produces 30% of the nation's beef - which equates to hundreds of thousands of feedlot cattle - which equates to tons of feed for those cattle. The High Ground feedlots are very open to introducing distillers grains to their formula. Because of feedlot proximity and numbers the distillers grains do not have to be dried. This means no capital expense for dryers, no cost of natural gas or fuel to run the dryer and reduced transportation costs.

The High Ground of Texas has plentiful, affordable land, good quality and ample water supply from the Ogallala Aquifer, affordable and reliable electricity, friendly local and state government, good transportation systems, and access to plentiful feed stocks for the ethanol plants. The people of The High Ground of Texas also love agriculture and most everything associated with it. So, after the dust settles and it is obvious that ethanol can be produced in a very cost-effective manner, the friendly Texas attitude is the final selling point. Enough said.

The High Ground of Texas, 401 N. 3rd Street, P.O. Box 716, Stratford, TX 79084 | 806-366-7510 | Fax: 806-366-7511 | higround@xit.net
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