GCWA Update, By Terri Parker

President: Terri Parker 2561 Hwy 82 S Jefferson, GA 30549 770-714-5977 coachtdawg@gmail.com

UPDATE

By Terri Parker, Georgia CattleWomen’s Association President

It sure has been a warm one in Georgia this year. It seems as if the rain has detoured all around our farm, not giving the fields even a mist of precipitation on a blade of grass. It has been so hot and humid that one of my cattle friends recently had a four-legged bovine visitor to her cement pond, leaving droppings of evidence behind in the cool pool. And how did we end up here, with half the year come and gone so quickly? Soon we will be watching the first frost hit the ground. At my farm, we have experienced many transitions. Officially in the month of May, my favorite heifer (also known as Eryn, my daughter) graduated with her Master of Agricultural and Environmental Education degree from the University of Georgia; in July, she left our pasture to go grow in another of her own plowing. It is an exciting time, coupled with sadness: The nest on our farm is empty, as we adapt to the empty house. It is fun to watch as Eryn spreads her wings to fly; it reminds me of how our organization has also been progressing through the many facets of change. This year has been ripe with change to the GCWA, with the addition of new members, chapters and events. With the changes, the board decided to also re-brand our logo. The desire was to sharpen the imagery and simultaneously preserve history. The new logo retained the outline of the state of Georgia, with an emerging cow bust heralding the symbolic bells now placed around its neck. The bells are a subtle reminder of the GCWA history stemming from the original Georgia CowBelles affiliation from 1968. The bells have been slightly altered to reflect the American National CattleWomen’s bells, with a more rounded look also signifying the unity of the two organizations. GCWA would like to say a special thank you to Dale Sandlin for orchestrating the new look. Another exciting change has been with the conclusion of the first of four Cattlemen’s Connection meetings. If you did not attend the meeting in Bartow County, I hope that you make plans to attend the Sept. 22 event in Moultrie or the event in November. Touring other operations always provides new ideas for us to use on our farms – and it reminds me that I am not alone in my endeavors.

Along with the many transformations taking place within the GCWA, some things are remaining steady. Once again, GCWA had the privilege of sponsoring belt buckles at the Georgia Junior Beef Futurity in July. Youth from Georgia FFA and 4-H showed their projects. Several of our members were in attendance, presenting the belt buckles to the winners of the 4th- through 12th-grade showmanship classes.

The Middle Georgia CattleWomen’s Association once again assisted with Kids Cattle Camp: hosting fun activities, teaching lessons in beef, and serving nutritious meals to the youth in attendance. This month also promises the GCWA annual retreat hosted by our gracious

Vice-President: Hailey Partain

PO Box 86 Thomaston, GA 30286 706-975-6826 hrobinson@uga.edu

Secretary: Jennifer Scott 392 Long Farm Road Jefferson, GA 30549 678-283-0936 jscott@braselton.net

Treasurer: Tracie Wheeless 1840 Fort Lamar Road Commerce, GA 30530 706-614-7436 4wvalleyfarm@gmail.com

Parlimentarian: Cynthia Douglas 1950 Delray Road Thomaston, GA 30286 770-550-1070 douglasfarm@windstream.net

Past President: Theresa Molle 190 Long Bridge Road Helena, GA 31037 229-315-1466 tmolle@windstream.net

www.gabeef.org/gcwa cattlewomen@gabeef.org

AMERICAN NATIONAL CATTLEWOMEN PO Box 3881, Centennial, CO 80112 303-694-0313, fax: 303-694-2390

friends at Pennington Deer Lodge. It is a casual event; we meet from across the state to revise budgets, begin planning for the upcoming convention, suggest any revisions to working papers, vote on Cattle Drive for Hunger recipients, and fellowship with other ladies. Chapter presidents and board members are encouraged to attend.

GCWA would also like to encourage everyone to make plans to attend the Georgia National Fair in Perry during the month of October. GCWA will be sponsoring the Beef Cooking Contest again this year. Board members enjoy tasting dishes prepared by both an adult and youth competitors and discussing tried and true or new and improved recipes. If you have not attended the Fair and its many events, make some time this year to travel to the Fairgrounds.

Also in October, GCWA will be attending the Sunbelt Ag Expo. There are events for everyone in the family. My favorite event is the annual Cow Milking Contest.

Speaking of events in October – our very own Vice President Hailey has promised to deliver her first child on my October birthday.

“Fall of 2018... worst in years... Rain, Rain, Rain!!! Impossible to get into the fields, so we flew Wax Marshall Ryegrass on 230 acres in late November...

Wax Marshall really saved our Butts! Wax Marshall really saved our Butts!

Even planted that late and with all that stacked against it, Wax Marshall took it and came on strong! Wax Marshall takes all kinds of weather and somehow still produces the high quality forage we need and have grazing into May. Before the Fall of 2018, we believed Wax Marshall was the best (been planting it for over 20 years), but now we KNOW Wax Marshall IS the Best Ryegrass! Only the real thing goes on our place... that’s why all we ask for and plant is Wax Genuine Marshall Ryegrass!!!”

GUARANTEED Genuine

TM

Justin Long

Long Cattle Company Bainbridge, Georgia

Marshall... America’s #1 Ryegrass!

Seedway LLC Orangeburg SC 800 922 1377 • Frostproof FL 863 635 4473

Kelly Seed LLC Hartford, AL 800 654 0726

BWI Companies

Greenville SC 800 922 8961 • Apopka FL 800 876 9113 The Wax Company 888 CALL WAX

Châtel Farms is now purchasing Angus sired, high carcass merit feeder cattle that have never received antibiotics or added hormones. Our desire is to build long term relationships with innovative cattlemen looking to join us in transforming the cattle industry in the Southeast.

For more information, please contact: Châtel Farms Program: Elizabeth Caskey 706-513-4951 elizabeth.caskey@fplfood.com FPL Cow Program: Eric Gahart 262-909-3494 eric.gahart@fplfood.com

Chatel GA FL.indd 1 10/12/21 1:32 PM