South Central Cattlemen

The South Central Cattlemen met for their monthly meeting on December 6 at the Extension Office in West Plains. The guest speaker was Sydney Thummel from the Missouri Beef Industry Council. There were approximately 35 people present.

President Janet Crow opened the meeting with association updates. Minutes and financials were presented to the group and approved. Janet Crow encouraged the members to attend the state convention in January and the national CattleCon in February. A nomination committee was formed to make recommendations for next year’s officers. The committee includes Jenny Poor and Wayne Nichols. Secretary Elizabeth Picking spoke about the Extension Office’s AgrAbility program. The program “increases the likelihood that individuals with disabilities and their families engaged in agriculture become more successful.” Some of the free services provided include:

• Identifying disabilities and referring the farmer, rancher, or farm worker to the appropriate resources

• Assisting with recommendations regarding adaptive farm equipment, tools and machinery

• Educating individuals on how to modify farm operations, equipment, machinery and buildings

• Offering agricultural based education on prevention of secondary injury

• Offering training to help farmers with disabilities

• Coordinating peer support networks

Jenny Poor encouraged attendees to look into and sign up for Missouri Cattlemen’s Leadership College. She also informed the group on MO Beef Kids. Through the program and donations from producers, Willow Springs Schools were able to enjoy locally raised beef for a year. However, the school is now having to buy commodity

Buffalo Livestock Market

1 mile west on Hwy 32 • Buffalo, MO 65622 Barn: 417-345-8122

Sale Every Saturday 12:00 Noon

• Selling 1200 to 1700 head Farm Fresh Cattle weekly

• Special Stock Cow and Bull Sale

3rd Tuesday night of each month at 6:30 p.m.

• Pre-Vac Feeder Calf Sales 2nd Saturday of every month in conjunction with Regular Sale (Pfizer Pre-Vac, BLM BPre-Vac, Bayer Program, Mo Quality Assurance. LMA-Vac and MFA Health Track)

Order Buying Service Available

Owners… Lyle Caselman Leon Caselman

417-345-7876 H 417-345-4514 H 417-533-2944 cell 417-588-6185 cell

Sydney Thummel of MBIC then took the floor, introduced herself and told the group about her background. She also discussed what MBIC and the checkoff were doing for producers. She explained three ways our checkoff dollars were used to promote beef.

1. Consumer Promotion - MBIC had booths at various events, such as the Bass Pro Fitness Series, Missouri Farmers Care/Ag Education On The Move, St. Louis University’s Beef Day, etc. She also discussed the MO Beef Kids program.

2. Producer Education - Sydney discussed educational grants that producers can apply for. MBIC is revamping bidder cards at sale barns in Missouri. They are working towards scheduling in-person BQA workshops. She is also attending various trade shows and Cattlemen meetings promoting beef education

3. Research - MBIC is involved in the Federation of State Beef Councils research on beef and has three seats on the FSBC board.

President Janet Crow, closed the meeting.

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