Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association Board of Directors approved the filing of Articles of Incorporation and were adopted 22 March 1951. The Secretary of State approved the Articles of Incorporation of the Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association on 9 April 1951. Purpose of the Organization in original Articles of Incorporation: …is formed to promote generally the welfare of the livestock industry in the State of Texas and in the United States, and particularly in the territory generally known as the Hill Country in and around Llano County, Texas, for the purpose of mutual protection of its members, and to cultivate a more fraternal feeling among livestock men generally in the State of Texas and the United States of America.

OUR INITIATIVES

Monthly Meetings

The board meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6 pm at Lyssy & Eckel's Feed Store in Llano. At the meetings the requests for bounty payments are reviewed and approved. Each meeting provides updates on various issues for the producers in our area. Topics include information about the status of the New World Screwworm threat, successes and needs of the 4-H and FFA judging teams, programs to provide assistance to the underserved youth in the community as well as information that helps promote stewardship for our producers. Members and guests are invited to attend.

Support of Llano County Fire Departments

The increase in vegetation from early rains has created a wildfire danger for our area. Local volunteer fire departments are in constant need of financial assistance and the HCLRA has donated funds to the fire departments that serve Llano and neighboring counties. We greatly appreciate their efforts and recognize the valuable services they provide our communities.

Student Scholarships

The HCLRA awards scholarships to Llano High School students who are pursuing a degree in agriculture. Students receive $250 per semester for a four year degree plan. Several students every year benefit from receiving scholarships from the association.

Community Engagement

One of Hill Country Livestock Raisers Association goals is to support our young people in agriculture. We financially support them through purchases of their various projects at the Llano County Jr. Livestock Show every year. We also give financial support to our 4-H and FFA Meat Science Judging Team and the Livestock Judging Team that go to State & National contests every year representing Llano County. We also sponsor ag related educational programs throughout the year.

Cowboy Christmas for Kids Program

HCLRA supports the Cowboy Christmas Program for Kids each year to help provide for some of the underserved children in the Llano community. The children are identified by the school counselors at the various campuses. They are given clothing, food and one toy apiece. This project has been very successful over the years and certainly a worthwhile cause for the association. HCLRA is proud to be an active participant in this project for our community.

Coyote Bounty Program

Coyotes pose a threat to livestock and wildlife. Their numbers have increased substantially over the past few years. In order to reduce the numbers of coyotes the HCLRA manages a bounty program with financial assistance from the Llano County Commissioners Court.

Over the past three years an average of 550 coyotes have been removed. Wildlife officials are predicting an increase in coyote numbers because of favorable conditions for pup survival. The bounty program provides an incentive for landowners and hunters to help keep the population in check.

In order to ensure the integrity of the program the HCLRA and associations from neighboring counties agreed to use the same reporting methods.

In order to collect the bounty both ears must be placed in a ziplock bag and the bounty form must be filled out and signed by the landowner. The bags and forms need to be turned in to the front desk at Lyssy & Eckel feed store. The forms are checked by the HCLRA directors at the monthly meetings and payments are processed within a few days of the meeting.

Payment Rules & Rates

Download Bounty Form

A Message from the President

From our beginning, the Hill Country Livestock Association was designed to represent and serve landowners in Llano and adjoining counties. In doing so, we recognize the challenges that Llano County landowners have to manage across a diverse population of livestock and wildlife. With perpetual drought, feral hog infestation and even floods to combat, it is our goal to provide support and resources for farmers and ranchers in Llano County to be successful in their stewardship efforts.

We are fortunate to live in one of the best parts of the state with our history, culture and people continuing to make this a great place to raise livestock and wildlife. While we represent landowners who have been here for generations as well as new members of our community who have recently moved into the area, our mission is to maintain and improve that quality of life for generations to come.

Lonnie Seipp, President HCLRA