With the Fair only two weeks away this is a great opportunity to do a little preview of all the beef related activities fair goers can enjoy throughout the week. While not necessarily an ‘activity’ for some, the very first thing to mention is the Fairfield County Cattleman’s Association “Steak” Trailer will be in it’s usual location – northwest of the track and across from the beef barn. This year’s menu features two great old-time favorites . . . the Cattleman’s 7 oz. ribeye steak sandwich, and the best 6 oz. cheeseburger found anywhere! As always, the menu will feature locally grown beef, harvested and processed right here at Bay Packing.

Perhaps even better, when you visit the Steak Trailer you’ll again be served by folks who are involved in raising the beef. If you and your family would enjoy serving a shift in the trailer, there are some opportunities remaining. Simply check in with local Cattlemen’s Association Director Ray Breagel (740-503-3120) and he’ll get you signed up. The majority of the proceeds from the Steak Trailer go to support local youth through the Jr. Fair Market Beef Sale and also college scholarships.

If you enjoy a good Dairy Beef Feeder Calf show, that launches Tuesday’s full day of beef show activities at 8:30 a.m. in the round dairy barn. Also on Tuesday the 9th, the Junior Beef Show will begin at 10 a.m. with Continue reading →

Support your industry and work a shift during the Fairfield County Fair, October 6- 13.

The free market system will ultimately have a significant voice in how our farm animals are managed . . . the bottom line is that our clientele wants to know more about the food we are producing.

Those words were shared eight years ago by John Grimes as he discussed the 2010 agreement that initiated the creation of the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. Little has changed today in that regard, and little is expected to change anytime soon. With the majority of our consuming public two, three, or even four generations removed from the farm, whether we like it or not, public concern for how our food is produced, by whom, and the sustainability of methods we use is the reality of the world we presently live in. As we consider how best to gain confidence with consumers regarding the daily care and efficient production of livestock and the wholesome nutrition it provides their family’s diet, perhaps one of the best opportunities we have begins in a few weeks with the opening of the Fairfield County Fair.

After several years of hiatus, local cattlemen, their spouses, older 4-H and FFA youth, and livestock industry people are once again being invited to promote locally grown and harvested beef directly to local consumers by simply serving a shift in the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Steak Trailer throughout Continue reading →