County News

COUNTY NEWS See What’s Happening in Your County

Barton County

The Barton County Cattlemen were finally able to get together the evening of Tuesday, September 15 at the Memorial Hall basement in Lamar, Missouri. The meeting started with an invocation by Rex Frieden and a great meal sponsored by Waltz Hay and Cattle Co. and cooked by Scott Nolting and his daughter, Paydon.

After the meal, Tonya Amen with the American Gelbvieh Association gave a very informative presentation on feet and leg structure/health of cattle. Tonya advised that we all study birth weights, weaning weights etc., but what determines how long the cow stays in the herd or how well the bull is able to preform depends a lot on their foot and hock condition. She stated that the Red Angus, Simmental and Gelbvieh Associations have come together to develop a foot scoring system. For instance, if a bovine has the front foot with the medial claw and the lateral claw pointing like the letter V the score would be a one and if the two parts were crossed over like a pair of scissors this would be a nine. The optimum foot would be in the range of between four and six. Take the hock, if the bovine appears like it is standing on its tip toes the score would be a one one. If the hock is very close to the ground this would be scored a nine. Again, the optimum would be between four and six. To evaluate bovine, they need to be between 270 to 540 days old. A group is needed to develop an evaluation. Single animals cannot be used. Do not evaluate in the chute. The animals need to be standing still on a clear surface. To contact Tonya Amen she can be reached at tonya@beefcenter.org or (816) 652-2220.

After Tonya’s presentation, we voted for leadership. Taking the place of the retiring Daryl Kentner, who has done a tremendous job over the years of securing appropriate speakers, keeping the cattlemen involved in community activities, and getting appropriate training for the members when new laws affected the cattlemen is new president is Brett Faubion. Brett is ready and able to fill the shoes left by Daryl. Rounding out the positions are Vice President, Jade Morgan; Secretary, Joan Wilson; Treasurer, Derenda Gariss. The board members are Tony Morgan, Brad Waltz, Kyle Fast, Judy Moore, Matt Cook and the alternate is Tre Cofield. Congratulations to all the officers and board members. Pictures will be in next month’s report.

The next meeting will be October 12 at Memorial Hall in Lamar, with the MoKan Livestock Auction discussing their services and programs, also the Missouri Beef Industry Council will give a brief presentation. To become a member of the Barton County Cattlemen’s, go to: mocattle.org.

Lafayette County

The Lafayette County Cattlemen again sponsored the Champion Rate of Gain award at the Lafayette County 4-H/FFA Fair.

This year the winning entry was shown by Isabella Limback, daughter of Kurt and Michelle Limback of Waverly. Isabella is a member of the Alma 4-H Club and attends Santa Fe High School.

Her bred and owned steer weighed in at 1,419 lbs. and gained 3.88 lbs. per day.

The Lafayette County Cattlemen are proud to support the youth of Lafayette County and were glad 4-H and FFA members were able to participate in the annual event this year.

It’s not every day that the Dallas County Cattlemen’s Association has the honor of cooking lunch for a U.S. Representative. However, such was the case as Vicky Hartzler of District 4 spoke at noon on August 24 at the Dallas County Fairgrounds in Buffalo. Hartzler and her staff were traveling through the area as part of her farm tour in southwest Missouri. Around 45 people including DCCA members enjoyed lunch before Hartzler spoke to the group. She was introduced by State Senator Sandy Crawford.

Hartzler is a life-long farmer and former teacher. She said that cattlemen have a special place in her heart. She and her husband, Lowell, reside on a working farm in the Harrisonville/Archie area in Cass County.

Hartzler sympathized with cattlemen in that this has been a rough year with prices tanking and packing plants shutting down. She talked about what the USDA has done to help as well as various government programs. Missouri has received $20 million in grant money through the CARES Act that went to local meat packers statewide.

Most of the events that DCCA cooks at this fall have been cancelled. However, as of this writing the Ozarks Farmfest is still going to be held. So DCCA members will be helping in the Ozarks Beef House. Things will certainly look different, but we look forward to promoting beef during the three-day event.

Vicky Hartzler.

Vicky Hartzler talking to DCCA members and guests

Dallas County photos courtesy of the Buffalo Reflex.

St. Clair County Cattlemen cooked Ribeye Steak Sandwich meals at the Osceola Rodeo on Thursday, Sept. 3 to Sunday, Sept 6. The cattlemen also drew on Sunday, September 6 for the winner of their beef raffle. Josh Munsterman of Montrose was the winner of the half a beef. The cattlemen successfully raised enough selling steak sandwiches and from their beef raffle for two $2,000 scholarships. Thanks to everyone that came to the rodeo and supported the beef raffle or bought a sandwich meal!

The cattlemen have been successful in raising funds for the Mo Beef for Mo Kids Program. Bill Creek, Phillip Johnston, John and Megan Swaters, Legacy Bank, Community First Bank, Jim Falk Motors, OakStar Bank, Hawthorne Bank, Dull and Heany, and Gregg Smith Ford have donated so far for 20-21 school year. A big thank you to our donors for supporting the St. Clair County Cattlemen as they support the youth in our county!

Our next meeting is scheduled for October 13, 2020, at 7 p.m. at Osceola School District and the sponsor will be Boehringer Ingelheim and Patrick Davis will discuss cattle nutrition and forage testing and Jeff Schoen will discuss cattle health management.

Jim Falk Motors

Hawthorn Bank

Oakstar Bank