Millers Mutual Insurance Association/Jupe Feeds, Inc., d/b/a Wendlands

Farm Products, Appellants

Jupe Feeds, Inc., d/b/a Wendlands Farm Products/Millers Mutual

Insurance Association, Appellees

The parties have filed an agreed motion to extend time to file appellant's brief. In the motion, the parties inform us that a mediation has been scheduled for on June 22, 2004. The public policy of this State is to encourage voluntary settlement of disputes. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 154.002 (West 1997); Jack B. Anglin Co. v. Tips, 842 S.W.2d 266, 268 (Tex. 1992). Accordingly, in order to allow the parties time for their mediation, any further necessary negotiations, and document preparation, we will abate this appeal until August 1, 2004. The parties should apprise this Court of the status of the appeal on or before that date, and a deadline for the next necessary event in the case will be set then.

W. Kenneth Law, Chief Justice

Before Chief Justice Law, Justices Patterson and Puryear

Abated

Filed: May 13, 2004