Event

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 →

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!

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.

CANCELLED: Local Cattlemen; Plan now to enjoy a summer picnic on August 12, and get BQA Certified too!

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Just bring a chair and your appetite.

Effective 8/6/23, 6:45 p.m. due to an abundance of scheduling conflicts that are preventing so many from attending, this event has been cancelled, at least for now.

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Fairfield County cattlemen, local youth beef exhibitors, and buyers who have supported our youth beef exhibitors are invited to this year’s summer hamburger fry being held on Saturday evening, August 12 at Stillwater Farm. Come and enjoy an evening of fellowship and relaxation. The best part is the only thing you need to bring is your family and lawn chairs . . . ALL the food will be provided!

In addition to some great food, those in attendance who wish to receive their adult Beef Quality Assurance certification, or REcertification will have that opportunity also. The conversation will include concerns for the Asian longhorn tick that recently killed some cows in Ohio, proper set-up and use of handling facilities, satisfying the consumer’s demands for quality, pasture management, and most anything else that a cattleman might talk about.

It all begins at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 12 at Stillwater Farm, 1975 Old Logan Road SE, near Lancaster, with some thoughts on tick and pasture management. The hamburger fry and supper will follow beginning around 6:30. After supper those wanting BQA certification will conclude with conversation in the barn about handling, breeding, and finishing cattle that result in a high-quality product and consumer satisfaction at the meat case.

Remember . . . the cattlemen are providing the food. All you need to do is bring a lawn chair and your appetite and tell us you plan to attend by completing the very brief reservation survey linked here or by calling 740-277-4633 to let us know you’re coming. Please RSVP that you’re coming by Sunday, August 6!

And, please share this invitation with any cattlemen who may not be on this list serve, young beef exhibitors, and your Jr. Fair beef sale supporters!

Join in the Celebration of Beef at the 34th annual Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Banquet

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Plan to join us the the 34th FCCA Banquet!

Make your reservation today and plan to celebrate beef at the 34th annual Fairfield County Cattleman’s Association banquet and annual meeting. The event will be held on Saturday, March 11 in the Fairfield County Ag Center (831 College Avenue, Lancaster) with registration beginning at 6 p.m. Supper will feature locally prepared 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 scholarship (trivia: did you know since 1999 when the college scholarship program was begun, the FCCA has awarded a total of $33,800 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 or by leaving a message with Stan Smith, anytime 24/7, at OSU Extension in Fairfield County at 740-277-4633. For more information about the banquet please contact FCCA President Jeremy Whitehead at (614) 578-4937.

62 Youth Weigh-in Market Beef Calves!

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Participation in the market beef show remains strong!

Interest and participation in the Jr. Market Beef Show in Fairfield County remains strong! Ranking as the second largest number of youth to tag in a market steer or market heifer project over the past 15 years and despite a couple inches of freezing rain and snow over night, 62 youth brought their market beef show prospects to weigh-in at Fairfield Cattle Company on Saturday, March 12th. This represents a nearly 45% increase over the 43 youth that weighed-in animals just four years ago.

In summary, sixty two (62) 4-H and FFA members weighed in a total of 88 beef feeder calves as their projects in preparation for the 2022 Fairfield County Fair’s finished market beef junior show. Of the 88 head tagged in on Saturday, 5 were market heifers and 46 were bred, born and raised (BBR) here in Fairfield County. The average weight of all calves was 867 pounds. These calves will be Continue reading 62 Youth Weigh-in Market Beef Calves! →

Cattlemen’s Activities; Banquet, Scholarship and Jr Beef Weigh-in!

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Get March 12th on your calendar. It’s an all beef day!

After a year’s hiatus due to concerns for the pandemic, the Fairfield County Cattlemen are pleased to announced they will host the 33rd annual Banquet on Saturday, March 12 in the Fairfield County Ag Center. Registration will begin at 6 p.m. followed by supper featuring beef brisket!

Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for children under the age of 12. Youth 5 and under are free. Plus, all 2020 and 2021 Fairfield County Junior beef exhibitors will be admitted free!

Make your reservations (including Junior beef exhibitors – we need your reservations too) by clicking on this link or by leaving a message with Stan Smith, anytime 24/7, at OSU Extension in Fairfield County at 740-277-4633.

One of the traditional features of the banquet will be the awarding of the 2022 Scholarships. Local high school seniors and current college students can find Continue reading Cattlemen’s Activities; Banquet, Scholarship and Jr Beef Weigh-in! →