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

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

Cattlemen’s Scholarship Applications Due January 15th

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!

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!

62 Youth Weigh-in Market Beef Calves!

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

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

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

Market Beef Show Numbers Continue to Grow in 2021!

This first time beef exhibitor was one of 68 youth to weigh-in calves for the 2021 Fairfield County market beef show.

Interest and participation in the Jr. Market Beef Show in Fairfield County continues to grow! Equaling the largest number of youth to tag in a market steer or market heifer in 15 years, 68 youth brought their market beef show prospects to weigh-in at Fairfield Cattle Company on Saturday, March 13th. This represents a nearly 60% increase over the 43 youth that weighed-in animals just three years ago.

In summary, sixty eight (68) 4-H and FFA members weighed in a total of 98 beef feeder calves as their projects in preparation for the 2021 Fairfield County Fair’s finished market beef junior show. Of the 98 head tagged in on Saturday, 5 were market heifers and 49 were bred, born and raised (BBR) here in Fairfield County. The average weight of all calves was 744 pounds. These calves will be Continue reading

Beef Barn Sponsor Provides Mulch Bedding!

Thanks to Aaron Bickle for sponsoring the mulch bedding for the beef barn!

When it was announced last spring that beef exhibitors at this year’s Fairfield County Fair would need to bring their own bedding, the Directors of Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association went to work in an effort to secure a sponsor for the barn, including the mulch bedding. Today, the Cattlemen are pleased to announce that Aaron Bickle of Bickle Insurance Services has generously agreed to be the sponsor of the Beef Barn for the 2019 Fairfield County Fair, and provide free mulch bedding for each exhibitor!

The Cattlemen have made arrangements for the mulch to be delivered to the Fairgrounds and the Fair Board has agreed to have the mulch bedding placed into the beef barn by mid week, prior to the Fair. However, in order to provide the mulch, the Cattlemen and the Beef Show Superintendents need to know how many head each exhibitor or club plans to house at the Fair.

In order that stalling assignments can be made, and to receive the free mulch and it be placed in the barn prior to the fair, each exhibitor’s advisor was asked to  Continue reading

Jr. Market Beef Exhibitor Numbers Grow Again in 2019!

On March 9, 2019, fifty three 4-H and FFA members weighed in a total of 77 beef feeder calves in preparation for the 2019 Fairfield County finished market beef junior show. Of the 77 head tagged in on Saturday, 7 were heifers and 42 were bred, born and raised here in Fairfield County. Show Superintendent Chris Turner along with Senior Fair Board and Fairfield County Cattlemen Association members volunteered with tagging, weighing and nose printing each of the calves at the new Fairfield Cattle Company near Lancaster.

The average weight of all 77 calves weighed in was 748 pounds. Fifty three exhibitors placing calves on feed in March for this project is the largest number since Continue reading

43 Youth Tag Market Beef for 2018 Fairfield County Jr. Fair

On March 3, forty three 4-H and FFA members weighed in a total of 62 beef feeder calves in preparation for the 2018 Fairfield County finished market beef junior show. Of the 62 head tagged in on Saturday, 6 were heifers and 31 were bred, born and raised here in Fairfield County. Show Superintendent Chris Turner along with Senior Fair Board and Fairfield County Cattlemen Association members volunteered with tagging, weighing and nose printing each of the calves at the Fairfield Cattle Company in Canal Winchester.

The average weight of all 62 calves weighed in was 720 pounds. Forty three exhibitors placing calves on feed in March for this project remains Continue reading

Junior Market Beef Weigh-in is set for Saturday, March 3, 2018

It’s that time of year again when local youth officially begin the first livestock project that’s destined for the County Fair!

Youth who plan to exhibit a finished market beef animal in the 2018 Fairfield County Junior Market Beef Show must have their animals weighed in, tagged, and nose printed on Saturday, March 3 at the Fairfield Cattle Company beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Fairfield Cattle Company is in Canal Winchester located on Bowen Road approximately ½ mile north of S.R. 33. Weigh-in will conclude at 11 a.m. that day, or whenever the animals in line at that time have been processed.

Exhibitors are also reminded that both steers and heifers are eligible to be exhibited as finished market beef animals. If five or more market heifers arrive and weigh-in at the Fair in October, a separate class for those heifers will be created. If less than five heifers are entered, they will be exhibited within their appropriate weight class along with market steers.

Again this year, to be eligible for the Continue reading