Congratulations FCCA on being named the 2020 Outstanding Ohio County Cattlemen’s Organization
FCCA members and area cattlemen and women . . . hopefully you’ve successfully concluded a safe and productive harvest, the cows are preg checked (or getting bred if you’re a fall calver), and you have enough high quality feed for winter!
We wanted to get an update out to you with regard to the Fair, and other activities, events and programs on the horizon.
Fairfield County Jr. Beef Show & Fair Livestock Sale: It’s a pleasure to report that beef numbers were up again this year. Fifty four youth exhibited a total of 67 market steers and heifers, feeder calf numbers were up slightly, and breeding beef numbers were stable. This is the most since 2007, and many are anticipating even higher numbers next year. And, the Jr Fair Livestock Sale was a success. Due in part to the support of the FCCA, no market beef animal sold for less than $1000 premium in the sale. FCCA purchased two calves, plus, added $25 on to each market beef exhibitor’s sale price at a total cost of $3450 to FCCA.
“Beef Families Care” Grant sends beef to local food pantries: At their pre-Fair FCCA Board meeting in September, the Directors voted to participate in the Beef Families Care cost-share program that is providing ground beef to local food pantries. FCCA provided $300 that was combined with donations of $300 from the local Blue Ribbon Showmen 4-H Club, $300 from OSU’s Ohio Collegiate Cattle Club, and $393 that was donated in the Bay Food Market customers ‘tip jar’ for a total of $1293. This amount was matched with a grant from the Ohio Beef Council making a total of $2586 available to purchase about 800 pounds of ground beef from Bay’s, and distribute it to food pantries throughout Fairfield County. Bay’s work regularly with the local Food Pantries and are handling the hamburger distribution to them. Recipients will also receive ground beef recipe cards provided by check-off funds through Ohio Beef Council.
FCCA named Outstanding Ohio County Cattlemen’s Organization: While it’s yet to be announced publicly, early next year the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association will announce the FCCA will be the recipient of the award as Ohio’s Outstanding County Cattlemen’s Association. This is a relatively new award recognizing one Ohio county association annually for their efforts in support of the beef cattle industry both locally and state wide. This recognition would have been awarded during the OCA Annual Meeting on January 9, 2021, however, that ‘live’ program has been postponed until conditions allow on down the road. In the meantime be watching for a video announcement on social media coming out sometime in January. Realizing this has been a difficult year to do much for the promotion of the beef cattle industry, this award encompasses more than 30 years of support for this industry by the FCCA.
Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Membership: If you’ve yet to renew your OCA membership, find details about on-line renewal, or joining, linked here.
CFAP2: Don’t forget to apply for the second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance program (CFAP2) funding that was released in mid-September. Deadline to apply is this Friday, December 11. Cattle owners are eligible to receive $55 per head of your owned inventory of beef cattle (excluding breeding stock) on a date you select from between April 16, 2020, through August 31, 2020. All your spring and early fall babies are eligible to be counted! If you’ve yet to apply, contact Farm Service Agency (740-653-4012) ASAP for more details.
Winter meetings and events: Despite the issues that continue to result from the COVID-19 virus, there are several winter meetings in the planning stages, many of which will be on-line. Included are Beef Quality Assurance (many of you are due for renewal in 2021), a state wide ‘virtual’ Grazing Management School, and the Ohio Beef Schools (both on-line and in-person sessions). Find currently scheduled programs posted here and stay tuned for additional postings and details.
Thanks for all you each do in support of the beef cattle industry . . . have a great Holiday Season!