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BQA, College Scholarships and the Fair

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As fall rapidly approaches, the Cattlemen have some activities coming up you’ll want to get on your calendars.

We hope to see you this fall!

Beef Quality Assurance: The Fairfield County Cattlemen along with Marshall Grain, Granville Milling, Faler Feed Store, and Rushcreek Feed will host a BQA Certification & REcertification in the Ed Sands Building on the Fairfield County Fairgrounds on September 5. It begins at 5:45 p.m. with a hamburger fry compliments of the sponsors and will be followed by the program that begins at 6:30. In order to properly receive BQA certification participants need to pre-register at https://go.osu.edu/fairfieldbqa

FCCA College Scholarships: Since the FCCA college scholarship program was begun in 1999 more than $36,000 in scholarships have been awarded to local youth. Scholarships are funded by the FCCA and, in part, through a donation from the Sally Grimm Community Fund in memory of past FCCA President Greg DeWitt. The scholarship application portal is now open and Continue reading BQA, College Scholarships and the Fair →

Beef Quality Assurance Certification and REcertification set for September 5

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Plan to get BQA certified on September 5th!

Following the lead set by the pork industry years ago, many segments of the beef industry require BQA certification in order for cattlemen to have market access for their cattle. This was never more apparent than when nearly seven years ago Tyson Foods, who harvest and process 25% of the US beef market share, and also Wendy’s, the second largest fast food hamburger chain in the country, announced the cattle they purchase must originate from producers and feedyards who are Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified. Since then, other fed cattle buyers and livestock marketers have followed suit and are making the same requests.

Because BQA is a three year certification, most of those who were BQA Certified in the fall of 2018 and REcertified in 2021 are due to be REcertified at this time. To accommodate not only those now needing REcertification but also those wanting initial BQA certification, the Fairfield County Cattlemen will be hosting a Beef Quality Assurance certification on Continue reading Beef Quality Assurance Certification and REcertification set for September 5 →

Fairfield Co. Jr Fair Beef Feeder Possession Date and Identification Announced

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* Beef Feeder possession is August 15th . All beef feeder animals exhibited must have been completely and fully owned and in the complete possession and continual care of the exhibitor on and after the designated date.

* All beef feeder exhibitors will submit the EID 840 tag number by August 20th (within 5 days of August 15th possession date) to the OSU Extension Office for each beef feeder animal. If an animal currently has an EID 840 tag in place, this tag will be used as the official fair identification. No DNA hair sample will be required for feeder calves.

* If needed, feeder calf exhibitors will be able to pick up 840 EID tags from OSU Extension (tags provided by the Senior Fair).

 

You’re invited to volunteer in the Cattleman’s Steak Barn at State Fair

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Join friends at State Fair and volunteer today.

Ohio Cattlemen’s Association District 9 Director Jim Jepsen invites you to join him on Friday, August 2, from 10:30 to 2:30 and help promote beef during the 2024 Ohio State Fair! You will be helping Jim at the Steak Barn located just north of the Voinovich Livestock Pavilion. In addition to a free beef themed t-shirt, each volunteer will also receive a  complimentary meal, and a free OSF admission ticket.

There’s no better way to promote the beef cattle industry than by helping out with a shift in the Steak Trailer while meeting face to face with your consumer at State Fair. Contact Jim Jepsen today at (614) 560-5919 to volunteer!

60 Juniors Weigh-in Market Beef Projects, Including the New Finished Dairy Beef Project

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Thanks to Fairfield Cattle Company for providing their facility for weigh-in!

If participation in the Saturday, March 9 beef weigh-in is any indication, interest in the Junior beef project remains strong in Fairfield County. Fifty six (56) 4-H and FFA youth weighed in a total of 89 market beef steers and heifers in anticipation of the 2024 Jr. Market Beef and Beef Performance and Carcass Quality shows, happening before and during the Fairfield County Fair. Also, this year, 5 youth weighed in 7 dairy beef animals in preparation for finishing them for the new Finished Dairy Beef project.

In summary, sixty youth weighed in a total of 96 beef feeder calves as their 2024 projects. Of those, 69 head were beef steers, 20 were market beef heifers. and 7 were dairy beef. Of the 89 beef steers and heifers, 51 were Continue reading 60 Juniors Weigh-in Market Beef Projects, Including the New Finished Dairy Beef Project →

88.9FM WLRY Saturday Morning Farm features Dr. Nevil Speer and OSU Extension’s Garth Ruff sharing Beef Market insights

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Dr. Nevil Speer

If you missed the 88.9FM Saturday Morning Farm Page, you missed a really good interview with Dr. Nevil Speer and OSU Extension Beef Specialist, Garth Ruff about the Beef Cattle markets and more.  Please take a minute to listen in and thank you the Fairfield County Cattlemen for sponsoring local radio programming efforts.

 

FCCA Constitution changes to be considered at Annual Meeting and Banquet

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Dear Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association members,

Make plans to attend the Banquet & Annual Meeting.

As spring is quickly approaching, I hope you’re all looking forward to even better weather and a great calving season. With that said, I want to take a minute and share with you updates to the our Constitution you will be asked to vote on during the upcoming Banquet and Annual Meeting on March 9.

Following much discussion at previous meetings, during our February 6, 2024 Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association (FCCA) Director’s meeting the Directors discussed specific updates to the FCCA Constitution that was last amended during the March 10, 2004 Banquet and Annual meeting. On the four PDF pages linked below are changes to the Constitution being proposed to you, the membership, for adoption during our March 9, 2024 Banquet and Annual meeting.

As you review the proposed changes, language being proposed for removal from the Constitution has been lined out, and language proposed to be added is highlighted in Continue reading FCCA Constitution changes to be considered at Annual Meeting and Banquet →

Fairfield County Cattlemen and Beef Exhibitors, Attend the 35th Annual Banquet!

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Attend March 9th and enjoy smoked beef brisket!

Make your reservation today and plan to celebrate beef during the 35th annual Fairfield County Cattleman’s Association banquet and annual meeting. The event will be held on Saturday, March 9 at the Lithopolis United Methodist Church (80 N. Market St., Lithopolis) with registration beginning at 6 p.m. Supper will feature locally prepared smoked beef brisket!

Tickets are $10 with local Junior Fair exhibitors and youth under age 9 admitted free!

The evening’s festivities will include Director elections, the award of the cattleman’s college scholarships (did you know since 1999 when the college scholarship program was begun, the FCCA has awarded a total of $34,300 in scholarships to local youth?), and a brief industry update. And as in the recent past, the annual scholarship benefit auction will also highlight the evening!

Make your reservations by February 25th (including Junior beef exhibitors – we need your reservations too) by clicking on this link. For more information about the banquet please contact FCCA President Jeremy Whitehead at (614) 578-4937.

Cattlemen’s Scholarship Applications Due January 15th

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Application deadline is January 15.

Once again in 2024 the Fairfield County Cattlemen will be awarding scholarships to high school seniors and undergrads who have experience raising and exhibiting beef cattle. Since the FCCA college scholarship program was begun in 1999 more than $35,000 in scholarships have been awarded to local youth. Scholarships are funded by the FCCA and, in part, through a donation from the Sally Grimm Community Fund in memory of past FCCA President Greg DeWitt.

Youth can find more scholarship details and apply on-line at: go.osu.edu/FCCAscholar.

Beef Promotion Grant Educates Fairfield County Residents in purchasing BEEF during Local Foods Week!

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The Ohio Beef Council (OBC) engages with Ohio’s producers and consumers to strengthen the demand for beef with the goal of maintaining the profitability and growth of Ohio’s beef industry.

Engaged participants at the 2023 Local Food “Beef Night” at the Fairfield County Fair learned more about purchasing beef from local producers and more!!

Consumers gathered on August 8 at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds  to learn about beef during the Fairfield County Local Foods Week. The event was hosted by the OSU Extension and Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association with support from the Ohio Beef Council’s (OBC) Beef Promotion Grant. OSU Beef Field Specialist Garth Ruff demonstrated how the best beef-eating experience starts with cut selection and proper cooking techniques.

Consumers learned how to select, grill and enjoy the perfect steak. Techniques were also shared on how to properly smoke the perfect brisket, the importance of using a meat thermometer and food safety practices. Questions were also answered regarding meat prices, production practices and how local cattlemen work to provide a positive, healthful eating experience for consumers.

The Beef Promotion Grant utilizes Beef Checkoff dollars to promote beef and educate urban Ohio consumers on how beef gets from pasture to plate. For more information about the grant visit ohiobeef.org.