Jim Meller, Anna, meller.hillcroft.james@gmail.com
1st term expires: 2019 | 2nd term expires: 2022
Josh St. Peters, josh@illinoisbeef.com
Mary Faber, accounting@illinoisbeef.com
Betty Haynes, betty@illinoisbeef.com
Annie Schoetmer, annie@illinoisbeef.com
Devin Bollman, devin@illinoisbeef.com
Olivia Hoots, olivia@illinoisbeef.com
Dr. Buzz Iliff
Travis Meteer
Dr. Teresa Steckler
Past President
Dr. Jennifer Earing Ex Officio Members
U of I Extension & BQA
U of I Extension
Illinois State University
Association Focus
Paul Walker, Illinois Beef Association President
The Illinois Beef Association is doing great things and already has many accomplishments in 2022. So far this year IBA leadership has helped to prevent five proposed bills — detrimental to cattle and beef production in Illinois — from becoming legislative acts by the general assembly. IBA leadership was instrumental in supporting the Illinois Department of Agriculture in securing $750,000 in the state budget to provide additional field veterinarians and proactive foreign animal disease prevention measures necessary to protect the Illinois livestock industry.
IBA has expanded the office team to six staff members — up from four — with four new hires to compliment the work of Betty Haynes, publications and promotions manager, and Josh St. Peters, executive vice president. These new hires enable IBA to offer office and administrative support more effectively in five program areas: publication and promotions; public relations, marketing campaigns and junior programs; member services; programs, conferences and outreach activities; and financial operations. We welcome Devin Bollman, Mary Faber, Olivia Hoots and Annie Schoetmer. Find these employees highlighted on pages 36 through 39 of this publication. While we are excited to welcome these new hires, we are saddened that Mareah Rauch has accepted a new position with Kent Feeds. Our loss is their gain. Mareah was a motivating force for IBA. Her tireless work ethic and upbeat attitude will be missed, but we are excited for Mareah in her new career adventure. As a professional within the beef industry, we will continue to expect great accomplishments from Mareah on behalf of IBA and Illinois. It goes without saying that the IBA Board of Governors views all of the IBA staff as valued assets whose individual successes also, are considered IBA successes. Good luck at Kent Feeds, Mareah.
Lately, IBA members and the Board of Governors have been “in the news” promoting cattle production and beef advancement. Dave Duzan was interviewed by the Brownfield Network. In the interview he provided information on the Cattle Market Transparency Act. Justin and Ellen Rahn were interviewed by Illinois Farmer Today as a young couple actively involved in promoting the cattle/ beef industry. Shannon Welsh and his family were featured in Illinois Farmer Today as a family doing what we all do best — raising wholesome, nutritious, tasty beef in a sustainable way. Betsy Pech was featured in the Ag Update regarding her lifetime achievements educating young people about agriculture and her time on the IBA Board promoting the
beef/cattle industry. Wes Hornback was interviewed by Champaign WCIA-TV highlighting his farm-to-fork retail beef sales program. The Head family was interviewed for the RFD Livestock Report providing an interesting overview of their operation and their involvement in the beef cattle industry. Larry Martin hosted a TV crew from WCIATV for an intereview in support of the Illinois cattle industry. Cattleman and farm broadcaster Ron Syverson interviewed Alan Miller and Al Lyman, along with IBA’s Josh St. Peters, during the NCBA Convention in Houston. Joan Harrison and Cori Malone were featured on WMBD-TV representing Women in Agriculture as a mother-daughter duo sharing their experiences and successes within the cattle industry. This list goes on because those within the beef cattle industry have great stories to tell. Keep the IBA office informed whenever you are interviewed whether it is for local, state or national media. Your successful story is IBA’s successful story.
Illinois had a great 2022 Illinois Beef Expo. While always striving to make our best better the Expo committee, represented by Wes Keller, the Expo management team, represented by Josh St. Peters and IBA, represented by Paul Walker, held a conference call with the eight Illinois beef breed association presidents to discuss Expo improvements for and potential changes that could be beneficial to helping each breed association promote their cattle breed. This teleconference proved most beneficial, with great interaction from all participants. The consensus was that holding Expo in February is the most opportune time. Each breed president will be seeking feedback from their breed’s membership about Expo offering two new sale concepts, i.e., a muti-breed genetic sale and a multi-breed live lot sale with a similar format to the Illinois Performance Tested Bull video sale conducted this year, as well as whether to offer individual breed sales. Several other suggestions were considered for Wes and Josh to discuss with the Expo committee.
Yes, May is National Beef Month, but did you know it is also National Salad Month. Beef and salad do go well together. We all know the west was not won on salad and “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.” but, I have never seen a grocery store feature salad as a draw to entice customers to shop in a particular store. There is nothing that excites people like beef on sale. Yes, the cup is half full for the beef cattle industry.
We are into an especially hectic season for most of you, with the rush of spring farming activities compounded by weather complications this year – along with all the regular duties that come with managing your cattle operation. Thank you for taking the time to sit down and catch up with this issue of Illinois Beef magazine. This month’s installment includes a host of topics I think you’ll find value in, from our policy updates to the information on our May Beef Month checkoff promotions. Perhaps a theme in this issue is “success from teamwork” – and I expect that is phrase that is reflected on your operations. Our industry is one that takes a lot of work, often among families and employees, partnering together to get it all done, especially this time of year.
One place you will see us highlighting teamwork in this issue is in the reporting of IBA’s success of gaining funding for more veterinarians in the state budget; this was truly a joint effort among the commodity groups and Farm Bureau, and will bring additional resources at a time when the Illinois’ livestock industry really needs the planning and preparation around foreign animal disease threats. I’m grateful for the support each of those groups: Illinois Pork, Illinois Corn, Illinois Soybean and Illinois Farm Bureau, provide to our beef industry in Springfield and through their respective programs and activities across the state. We are fortunate to have such strong partnerships and working relationships among the state’s farm organizations.
Our partnerships extend beyond agriculture organizations, as well, as seen in the work with media and marketing partners to promote beef consumption across the state. Your checkoff dollars are hard at work this season, as we celebrate May Beef Month with another campaign targeting urban consumers as we strive for increased demand for our product throughout Illinois. By partnering with a variety of outlets and promotional programs, we are extending the checkoff budget to reach new communities where beef consumption has the strongest potential for growth. Additionally, we’re working to push through the distraction of false claims from fake meat companies while also navigating the reality of high retail meat prices for many consumers at retail establishments. The promotional dollars you provide through the state and national checkoff programs make for a strong partnership to support our marketing efforts, allowing us to reach millions of Illinois consumers this spring and summer. We’re forging new teams in the industry, too – specifically
right here at the IBA offices in Springfield. You will see mention in this issue of the highly talented individuals who have come to work on staff in recent weeks. Through the support of our membership, we have been able to work with your Board of Governors and the IBA executive committee to deliver a plan for growing our resources here at IBA under the goal of increasing service and outreach to our membership and the industry. Our new team members Annie, Devin, Mary and Olivia, all come with great backgrounds in the cattle industry, and strong skills to support the work we do on your behalf. Betty and I have been really excited by the chance to get them started here at IBA, and I hope you get a chance to connect with them soon at a meeting in your community, at an IBA event or when you contact the office. We’re all here to help your operation, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Some of our team growth comes as one colleague transitions to a new opportunity within the Illinois beef industry. Mareah Rauch spent the last several years as a fixture of IBA’s outreach to members and cattlemen through her role delivering programs and services across the state. Her new role with a prominent feed company in the state brings great opportunities for her to use her master’s degree in ruminant nutrition – and puts her in an office only a short commute from the farm where she and her husband Aaron raise crops and livestock, and we’re happy for her new success. Part of building strong teams means managing transitions like this from time to time, and I believe that in a great team, you must celebrate the strong contributions people bring even in these seasons of change – so I’ll end this column with a huge thank you to Mareah, on behalf of the Illinois beef industry, for the great work she did during her time here. She made a positive impact on our team and the association, and that is a true mark of success.
I wish you and your family much success this season too, in life and across your cattle business. Please be safe in your work and take the time to enjoy the team you surround yourself with. And don’t hesitate to reach out to me and the IBA team here in Springfield if we can be of assistance to your operation.
Josh St. Peters, Illinois Beef Association Executive Vice President
This BEEF MONTH, as you’re enjoying the perfect t-bone, raise your fork to the thousands of farmers and ranchers across Illinois who make it happen.
For more information about how beef is sustainable visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com
Teague et al. 2016. The role of ruminants in reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint in North America. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 71(2). Found on: The role of ruminants in reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint in North America (jswconline.org) National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). 2017. 2017 Cattlemen’s Stewardship Review. Found on https://www.beefboard.org/2018/05/14/2017-cattlemens-stewardship-review/. USDA-NASS. 2017. Census of Agriculture. Farm Typology.
Extension Update
Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension Beef Specialist
Baleage an Option for Better Haymaking
Baleage, baled silage, is forage baled at a higher moisture and then wrapped with plastic to create an anaerobic environment to ferment and ensile the high moisture forage. The practice of making baleage is steadily gaining traction on cattle farms.
In Illinois, spring rains result in challenging conditions to make quality dry hay. Making hay at a higher moisture allows baling closer to cutting and shortens the window of dry weather needed to get hay up. It also leads to less leaf loss, and less nutrient leaching,which makes for better quality hay. Wrapping bales also leads to less storage loss. These advantages can help overcome the additional costs of plastic and labor involved with wrapping.
Waiting on dry weather can also impact forage quality. As forage continues to grow and mature, the quality will decline. When producing dry hay, traffic is still an issue on fields as much as five days after cutting. Increased traffic can decrease yields for the next cutting. Baleage allows for a quick on and off of the field, which is ideal for alfalfa fields.
Timing is crucial in making baleage. Cutting forage in the afternoon is recommended, as the sugars will be the highest in the plant during the afternoon. Baling should occur with a target of 50% moisture in the bale. The targeted range should be no more or less than 40% to 60% moisture. When bale moisture gets on either side of that range, fermentation patterns will be poor. Bales too dry could mold and pose a higher risk of clostridium botulism and listeria. Bales too wet could result in high butyric acid, seepage and more spoilage at feedout.
Proper wrapping is very important. If the wrap is too thin, torn, or poor quality plastic is used, baleage will be sub-par. Baleage is only as good as the integrity of the plastic. Using net wrap will provide a smooth surface to apply plastic wrap. This results in less air pockets and less damage to the plastic from coarse stems.
Storage of baleage needs to be in an area that can be monitored for rodents, raccoons and birds. Anything that
tears plastic or compromises the anaerobic environment can result in ruined baleage. Storing bales close to where they will be fed is wise. Moving bales after wrapping can be difficult. Spearing bales or poking holes in the plastic will compromise the anaerobic environment and negatively impact the baleage. A bale grabber that does not compromise the plastic is an important tool if moving bales.
Finally, I encourage you to think outside the box and investigate baleage and bagged silage opportunities on your farm. Elevated commodity prices will lend to lower hay acreage, less hay availability and higher hay costs. As I see it, utilizing winter cover crop forages with a base of cereal rye, triticale or wheat will be the best option to harvest more forage for cattle. Baleage or bagged hay silage is the best option to harvest and store these forages. At the University of Illinois we have even bagged cornstalks following a high moisture corn harvest and were successful in creating a palatable base forage for cow rations. Small grain silages that require less fertilizer inputs are becoming popular in least-cost rations, but they need to be harvested and stored as baleage or bagged silage to maximize feed value. Now is the time to look into baleage for maximizing on-farm forage opportunities.
Tips when making baleage:
• Monitor bale size. Large bales can weigh too much and be difficult to handle.
• If using a tubeline wrapper, uniform bale size will help eliminate air pockets in the tubeline.
• For balers with knives, think about removing half of the knives to improve bale integrity and limit bales that “blow apart” once opening.
• Bale density is important to aiding a quick fermentation and maintaining stable pH at feedout.
• Use inoculants - especially following a frost or in drier weather.
• Avoid dirt and manure contamination. Listeria and Clostriduim can be an issue and cause serious risk to animal health.
• Monitor and always maintain integrity of the plastic during storage. Rodent control is likely needed.
• Don’t short the layers of wrap needed to get a good seal.
• When doing a feed inventory or selling hay, remember half of the bale is water. Dry hay is only 15% moisture.
Gate Cuts
Paul Walker, DI Walker Consulting
ARE YOU READY...
for these major changes that will affect how you manage your operation?
Change number 1: No more over-the-counter antibiotics
Beginning in June 2023 antibiotic pharmaceuticals will no longer be available over-the-counter. All antibiotics sold will require a veterinarian’s prescription. The days of finding a cow with foot rot and running to the local farm supply store to purchase penicillin or L.A. 200® to treat her will be over. Within the near future purchasing antibiotics for injection, oral or topical treatment will require a veterinarian prescription – like a veterinarian feed directive (VFD) for purchasing antibiotic containing feed. Consequently, everyone that owns livestock (cattle, swine, sheep, poultry, rabbits, equine, etc.) will need a viable veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR). Every producer already should have such a relationship but beginning in 2023 every producer, large or small scale, will need one or more veterinary practices that are familiar with their livestock operation. A VCPR means more than a veterinarian casually knowing that you exist. A VCPR means the veterinarian is familiar with your operation including your location, roughly how many cattle are in your operation, your herd health program, the type of operation you have, etc. This means the veterinarian has made a site visit at least once during the past year.
If your operation does not currently enjoy a viable VCPR, you should develop one ASAP. Site visits or farm calls are not inexpensive. Most site visits cost $60 - $120 in trip charges plus a treatment charge and the cost of any pharmaceuticals administered – kind of pricey to treat a cow with foot-rot. Having a viable, on-going VCPR will soon
be cost efficient - actually it already is – too many producers just do not realize it.
How do producers build a VCPR? It really is up to the producer to initiate this relationship. If a veterinarian has never been to your operation or the last farm visit was two years ago or more, then scheduling a veterinarian farm visit may be necessary to remind the veterinarian that they are your farm vet. The next time the veterinarian makes a farm call inform them about your operation and begin buying your pharmaceuticals through your veterinarian office. If you have had a VFD within the last year – all of these things already may have been accomplished.
Change number 2: Cattle diets without distillers grains
Over the past 20 years the cattle industry has become very dependent on using dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), modified wet distillers grains with solubles (MWDGS) or wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS). Really, dried distillers grains has been around for about 45 years – remember gasohol in the 1970s? But, beginning in the early 2000s when ethanol addition to gasoline was mandated, dried distillers grains became available in much larger quantities and its use in cattle diets was embraced by university researchers, feedlot nutritionists and cattle feeders. During these two decades dried distillers grains has not been a static feedstuff. The composition of distillers grains has:
1. Varied by ethanol plant and technology used to produce ethanol and hence to make dried distillers grains.
2. Has changed over time as ethanol plants began to remove more of the corn oil on the “back end” of production.
Distillers grains of the early 2000s contained 10-12% crude fat on a dry matter basis. Around 2008–2010 ethanol plants began removing more of the oil and the crude fat of distillers grains began to routinely be on the order of 6-8% crude fat. Consequently, the energy density of distillers grains has decreased over time but generally speaking this lower crude fat content has not altered how the industry utilizes distillers grains in cattle diets.
But change seems to be continuous as technology advances. Today, technology exists that can alter how ethanol is produced on the “front end”. This technology allows the germ containing protein and oil to be removed on the “front end” of producing ethanol prior to fermentation. This technology allows ethanol plants to produce a valueadded high protein feed product, containing upwards to 60% protein, to capture more of the corn oil, leaving less than 4% of the oil behind. Thank goodness for the cattle industry, refitting existing ethanol plants with this technology is expensive and plants have been slow to adopt this technology.
Removing protein and oil from distillers grains leaves a highly digestible, high fiber feedstuff low in protein and energy with limited use in cattle diets. Several years ago, during an invited presentation before the Distillers Grains Council, I told them the cattle industry liked distillers grains just the way they were. Lowering the crude fat and corn oil percentage in dried distillers grains was not in the cattle industry’s best interest.
Table 1. shows the average composition and price at Midwest plants of selected corn and soybean feedstuffs using April 6, 2022 prices. It is entirely possible that your cost of these feedstuffs is higher or lower than the prices quoted in Table 1. Several points can be gleaned from Table
1. On a dry matter basis, soybean hulls are less expensive per pound than any of the corn products. On a dry matter basis distillers grains costs less per pound than shelled corn - but on occasion since January, 2022 shelled corn has been less expensive than distillers grains; and modified wet distillers grains with solubles is generally the most economical purchase of the corn feedstuffs whether one is considering cost per pound of dry matter, cost per pound of protein or cost per pound of metabolizable energy. If the producer is feeding distillers grains at 20% or less of the diet dry matter, it is considered a protein source as distillers grains can replace both shelled corn and soybean meal. If distillers grains is fed at rates greater than 20% of diet dry matter it is generally considered an energy source, though it still provides dietary protein. At inclusion rates greater than 20% of the diet dry matter, distillers grains over supplies the protein requirement for cattle but is still more economical than shelled corn and soybean meal. For beef cows on a corn silage-based diet, distillers grains is the most economical choice because corn silage is low in crude protein containing 8% crude protein on a dry matter basis and the dry beef cow requires a diet containing 9% - 10% protein while a lactating beef cow requires a diet containing 10.5% to 12.0% protein. For beef cows on a grass hay-based diet where the hay contains at least 9.0% protein, soy hulls are the most economical energy supplement. Finally, Table 1 shows that based on neutral detergent fiber content, distillers grains products with the corn oil and protein removed have less digestible fiber than soy hulls, suggesting that degermed distillers grains is worth less per pound as a highly digestible fiber or energy source compared to soy hulls. The great thing to remember about beef cattle is they can be fed so many feedstuffs not directly consumable by humans and still provide a wholesome, nutritious, tasty product in a sustainable way. Regardless of coming change, the cup is still half full for the cattle industry.
Affiliate News
Prairie Beef Association
The Prairie Beef Association (PBA) hosted a successful first-annual Prairie Beef Showcase Jackpot Show on April 3, 2022. There were 123 head of competitive cattle in attendance at the Dewitt County 4-H fairgrounds in Clinton. Congratulations to winners:
Top five steers:
• Landon Rehberg, Crossbred
• Abby Clapp, Maine-Anjou
• Payton Hueber, Crossbred
• Maddie Hansen, Charolais Composite
• Levi Hinshaw, Chianina
Top five heifers:
• Tyler Miller, Maine-Anjou
• Ty Drach, Simmental
• Emma Preston, Maine
• Maxwell Eaton, Chianina
• Kagnie Hoffman, Commercial
PBA paid out over $9,500 in premiums this year and wanted to extend a huge thank you to all sponsors for their generous support. Platinum Sponsors included ADM, Bellflower Feed Mill, Central Illinois Ag, Earlybird Feeds, Front Line Ag and Prairie Beef Association. Gold sponsors included Arthur Sale Barn, Interglobe, Larry Martin Cattle Sales, Marx Vet Service, Primient, Scott State Bank, Tractor Supply Company and VitaFerm. Silver sponsors included Andrew & Courtney Hampton, Cinco de Mayo, DCH Cattle, Hopedale Agri Center, John & Marcia Cooper, Peterson’s Insurance, Phil Johnson, Pro Harvest Seeds/Tucker Muse, Rutledge Farms/Brandon Rutledge, Sam, Grace, & Izzie Arnold, Sellmeyers, Ten Mile Shorthorns and Timbercrest Vet Service. The bronze sponsor was KnK Graphics.
Prairie Beef Showcase Jackpot Show Committee members (left to right): Alec Murphy, Josh Lorenz, Grace Clark, Doug North, Riley Donelson, Larry Martin, Courtney Hampton, Andrew Hampton and Ryan Haefner.
Show Results
2022 Prairie Beef Association Jackpot Show
Dewitt County 4-H Fairgrounds, Clinton | April 3
Reserve Grand Champion Heifer
Reserve Grand Champion Steer
Affiliate News
Do you have Affiliate News? Submit information to Annie Schoetmer at annie@illinoisbeef.com or call the IBA office at 217-787-4280. Please notify Annie with changes to affiliate officer teams.
Grand Champion Steer Crossbred
Shown by Landon Rehberg
Photos by Cindy Cagwin-Johnston
Maine-Anjou
Shown by Abby Clapp
Grand Champion Heifer Maine-Anjou
Shown by Tyler Miller
Simmental
Shown by Wade Spencer
In the Know
IBA partners with Illinois farm groups to secure funding for veterinarians, disease preparedness
During the final days of the 2022 spring legislative session, leadership from four Illinois commodity groups and Illinois Farm Bureau worked together to successfully secure an increase in the Illinois State budget of $750,000 to be additional funding toward the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA). These funds will be used to provide additional field veterinarians and proactive foreign animal disease prevention measures necessary to protect Illinois agriculture in the event of looming foreign animal disease outbreaks.
“With the recent announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirming the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a small backyard flock in Mclean County, the need for these funds is immediate,” says Illinois Pork Producer Association’s Executive Director, Jennifer Tirey. “This recent outbreak proves that a foreign animal disease does not discriminate based on the size of a livestock farm. The devastation could impact the smallest backyard hobby farms, farmers that sell their product at a farmers’ market, small meat processors or our larger producers. We’re also concerned about the potential of an African Swine Fever outbreak in Illinois swine herds. The impact of any of these animal disease outbreaks to Illinois agriculture would be detrimental and being underprepared would only worsen the impact.”
Today, IDOA only has one field veterinarian on staff to serve the entire state of Illinois. Adding veterinarians could mean regionally defined service areas, even allowing field staff to support vet work on specific species-related issues.
“We hope the collaborative response from our five groups will empower our request,” says Tirey. “We are incredibly grateful to the legislators who stand for the best interests of Illinois agriculture and Illinois farmers.”
The joint effort of Illinois’ five largest farm groups comes as the latest partnership among agriculture organizations working to secure stronger outcomes for the state’s farmers and ranchers.
“The Department applauds the effort put forth by the beef association, along with other commodity partners and the Illinois Farm Bureau, to secure funds for additional field veterinarians in Illinois,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. “Adding veterinarians to our field staff is crucial to increase our responsiveness to outbreaks and advance our animal disease traceability.”
Josh St. Peters, executive vice president of the Illinois Beef Association, adds, “Earlier this winter IDOA expressed this issue as a concern to our organizations and we are happy to see the funding secured and look forward to working with the department to protect the ag industry from potential foreign animal disease outbreaks.” He says, “Director Costello, IDOA leadership, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Patrick Joyce (D-Essex), Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) and Senator Bill Cunningham (D-Chicago) are greatly appreciated by the Illinois ag community for their partnership.”
Illinois Director of Ag Jerry Costello and IBA Policy Chair Shannon Welsh
Illinois Beef Association seeks qualified producer-applicants for Checkoff Division
The Illinois Beef Association (IBA) is seeking qualified beef producers for five director seats on the organization’s Checkoff Division of the Board of Governors. To be nominated for a three-year term in one of the positions, individuals must be a beef producer for at least the last five years prior to election and must reside within an open district. To be placed on the ballot, an individual must complete the petition application found on IllinoisBeef.com.
Districts seeking candidates on the Checkoff Division include the following county-specific seats:
District 1: Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll and Ogle counties.
District 3: Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Cook, LaSalle, Kendall, Will, Grundy and Kankakee counties.
District 4: Henderson, Warren, Knox, Hancock, McDonough, Fulton, Adams, Rock Island and Mercer counties.
District 5: Logan, Cass, Menard, Pike, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, Christian, Calhoun, Greene, Jersey, Macoupin, Montgomery, Peoria, Woodford, Tazewell, Mason, Schuyler and Brown counties.
District 7: Clinton, Washington, Jefferson, Randolph, Perry, Jackson, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski, Massac, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe, Bond, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash and Marion counties.
Petitions must be completed and returned to the IBA office by May 27. Elections will occur at the Illinois Beef Association and Illinois Forage and Grassland Council Summer Conference on June 7, in Macomb. Absentee ballots can be requested by contacting the IBA office at (217) 787-4280. SATURDAY, MAY 28TH At 10AM
SHOW EQUIPMENT DISPERSAL AUCTION
Equipment
• 2018 EBY Gooseneck 8’x26’ show trailer loaded
• 2014 Aluminum WW bumper pull 16’x7’
• Case 1816 C Skid-Steer Loader (600 hrs)
• Two IH M’s Tractors, 1 w/ power steering, both NF
• Very Large Asst. Riverode items (70 Riverrode gates, posts, show pens, chutes, 19 farmmaster 10 ft panels with 1 bow gate, 60+ 12 ft corral panels, Riverode scale)
• Silage Feeders, Pull Type and Others (24’ S&I w/insert, 20’ Work Weld Inc. w/ insert, Variety of Feeders, Bale Mover) For full ad and photos go to Auction Zip #42961 or #19028 Hoylandauction.com.
Stall and Show Items
Water tanks incl. steel, varios blue & black poly, cattle rubbers, 20 Sullivan Turbo & show barn fans - (2 brand new), 3 butt fans, 48 cow mats 4’x6’, 2 poly calf warmers, 4 grooming chutes, 4 sets chute mats, 2 chute dollies, 50+ halters and neckties, 30 combs and brushes, 12 show sticks, 14 show halters size XS-L, 4 Sullivan neck sweats, 2 sets Sullivan Lakeside chute lights, Weaver florescent chute lights, 10 Sullivan water buckets and feed pans, stall mats, 3 Sullivan aluminum front stall panels, Sullivan fan cages, selection of brackets, Sullivan show box, Andis ProClip Excel Super Duty clippers (new), Cordless Pullsar cordless clippers (new), new and used clippers and blades.
Auction Note: Offering everything/anything needed to show or work w/cattle on your farm or ranch. All items are clean and in EC condition. Many, many items are not listed. Conducted by Jerry Watkins Auction Team (309) 222-1024 Lic.44 Lic.440000458 Hoyland Auction, Inc. (309) 696-0614 Lic.440000419. All Announcements made sale day take precedence over all others. Cash or check on sale day. Not responsible for accidents.
Cattle Market Price Discovery & Transparency
Cattle market price discovery and cattle market transparency have been primary topics of discussion within the last two years. Members of the IBA Board of Governors and IBA staff continually receive questions regarding what is IBA policy concerning these two related but distinctly different issues; and, IBA welcomes your questions and comments on these topics. The IBA board first developed official policy for cattle market discovery and transparency in the fall of 2020 and revised this policy during 2021 as opinions and actions on these issues evolved. Here is where the industry is currently.
Regarding cattle market transparency, key components include a library of marketing contracts, 14-day slaughter reporting and clarifying confidentiality guidelines so they do not prevent reporting. A beef contract library requires USDA to create and maintain a packer supplied library of marketing contracts between packers and producers, giving beef producers awareness and access to information they can use to negotiate favorable contracts. Current IBA policy supports this concept.
Fourteen-day slaughter reporting would require a packer to report the number of cattle scheduled for delivery for slaughter each day for the next 14 days (up from the current seven-day requirement). This reporting provides beef producers with a mechanism to have awareness of the number of animals scheduled for harvest, thereby leveling the playing field when negotiating cattle trade, as packers have access to current and ongoing cattle on feed inventories. Current IBA policy supports this concept.
Under current law, USDA is required to report information in a manner that ensures confidentiality, which allows USDA to withhold regional reports to maintain confidentiality. Current IBA policy supports legislation that maintains confidentiality without limiting regional reporting.
Pertaining to cattle market transparency, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 directed the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) to create a Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program. On April 22, 2022, AMS held a listening session to help determine:
1. What information should a Cattle Contract Library include?
2. What are the concerns with USDA releasing a Cattle Contracts Library?
3. What format should be used to present the information contained in a Cattle Contracts Library?
Several organizations (NCBA, USCA, LMA and others) and private entities (feedlots) provided oral and/or written testimony.
Some of the primary concerns included that a contract library should be user friendly, confidentiality must be maintained, unintended consequences should be kept in mind/avoided (for example, reporting number of cattle contracted may effect futures markets) and the same basic information should be included in every reported contract (such as base price, premiums or discounts, who pays transportation, financing agreements and inclusion of open contracts). The pilot program is a two-stage process — design (a May/June timeline) and implementation (perhaps by September). Participants were reminded that two entities share in the cost of a contract library, that is, AMS bears the cost of compiling and publishing the reports, and packers bear the cost of submitting the contracts.
Pertaining to cattle market price discovery, several U.S. House and Senate bills have been introduced but the bill with the most traction is the “Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022” sponsored by Senators Grassley, Fischer, Tester, and Wyden. There are five primary components of this bill, four of which align with IBA policy:
• 14-day slaughter reporting
• Expediated carcass weight reporting
• Mandatory reporting of cutout yield
• A Cattle Contract Library
The fifth component titled “Mandatory Minimums” is contrary to IBA policy. Mandatory minimums require USDA to establish 5-7 regions that encompass the entire continental United States and to establish minimum levels of
purchases that covered packers must make through approved pricing mechanisms that contribute to price discovery and are transparent. This wording sounds good, but the devil is always in the details. Illinois already markets close to 50% of its fed cattle through one or more of the approved pricing mechanisms. Therefore, depending on which region USDA assigns Illinois determines whether IBA could support this component. Placing Illinois in a region that markets less than 45%-50% of fed cattle on a cash basis limits how Illinois beef producers market cattle. Second, IBA policy opposes any mandatory legislation that may limit a beef producer’s choice of marketing options. Mandating a minimum percent of cash purchases by packers limits the alternative marketing arrangements packers can offer beef producers.
During the spring of 2021, IBA conducted a survey of IBA members marketing fed cattle. Of the respondents 93.1% marketed cattle on a cash basis. When asked if the profit margin between each industry segment (feeder to packer, packers to retail, etc.) should be regulated by government mandates, 72.9% responded no. However, Illinois beef producers were, at that time, evenly split on specific government mandates. The IBA board will continue to monitor and participate in national discussion as it relates to cattle market transparency and price discovery. The IBA board and staff will continue to seek input from IBA members and will continue to support IBA members’ collective best interest. This is not always an easy task, but the IBA board and staff will continue to try.
IBA Introduces the Illinois Beef Leadership Academy Class of 2023
The Illinois Beef Leadership Academy is a year-long program to develop leadership skills and beef industry knowledge for IBA members ages 21-40. This year’s class will participate in four in-person experiences to see “behind the scenes” of the Illinois Beef industry. Topics highlighted in this year’s workshops will include leadership, advocating for beef production, financial management and growth opportunities for your beef herd.
Austin Walter
Sierra Day
At a young age Sierra Day was involved in raising cattle, corn and soybeans, and was involved with 4-H, FFA, the Illinois Junior Beef Association and the Illinois Junior Angus Association. This resulted in a passion for the industry. Later she attended Lake Land College, then earned bachelor’s degrees in animal sciences and agricultural communications from Kansas State University. Currently, Sierra is a master’s student at Texas Tech University, manages Day Cattle Farm with her brother and is the Field Editor of Prairie Farmer Magazine. She resides with her fiancé Austin in Grand Ridge, Illinois.
Austin Walter grew up on a row crop farm in Grand Ridge, Illinois, where his family has been feeding cattle for nearly 100 years. He currently owns and operates Walter Brothers Cattle alongside his brother, Dalton. Austin graduated from Lake Land College in 2018, then received his bachelor’s degree in animal science at Texas Tech University. Upon graduation, Austin returned home to the family farm to continue pursuing his passion for production agriculture. He and his fiancé Sierra currently focus on the meat sector of the industry, as they strive to provide the highest quality beef at a reasonable cost.
Gage Hagen
Sarah Dirks
Sarah Dirks is new to the beef industry but is part of a third-generation grain farm in Central Illinois. After graduating in 2010 with a degree in plant and soil science from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, she began working as a corporate environmental leader. She is a member of the Macon County Farm Bureau and the Illinois Beef Association. Sarah is excited to learn how she can grow her herd, advance her business and develop connections with other young leaders along the way.
First generation Quincy cattleman Gage Hagen served in the Illinois National Guard, then studied agriculture business. Six years ago, Gage bought cattle from a friend’s grandpa. He now owns 38 acres of land, rents farms for hay and pasture use and runs a cow-calf and backgrounding operation with his father-in-law. Currently, Gage works for the state of Illinois and hopes to one day sell breeding stock for a living. He is married to his high school sweetheart and has one daughter with another on the way.
Ben Lehman
Rachel and Adam Harms
In 2012, Adam Harms started working for Lorenzen Farms where he met his now wife, Rachel. Lorenzen Farms is a 300 head Hereford and Angus seedstock operation where Adam overseas every aspect of the operation as herdsman. Rachel helps Adam with marketing and management and operates Rural Redhead, a custom apparel business. The Harms’ have two boys, and each member of the family is involved in the day-to-day operations on the farm.
Iowa State University alum Ben Lehman is the cattle manager of Wildberry Farms. Located in the northwest part of Illinois, they boast around 400 seedstock Simmental and Sim-Angus cows. In addition, Ben is currently the Joe Daviess County Beef Association President. He and his wife, Stephanie, along with their kids Aubrie(7) and Weston(5), also run a custom grazing program for breeding heifers.
Amy Quast
Trevor Maiers
Payson, Illinois, native Trevor Maiers is a fourth-generation farmer and cattleman. After graduating in 2020 from Iowa State University, he returned home to his family farm where they calve 150 cows in a fall and spring herd. Trevor manages the backgrounding barn, as well as helps his family members on their operations. In 2019, the family bought a mono-slope barn to reduce calving stress and feed costs and are adding a third mono-slope barn this coming year to expand their backgrounding head space.
Amy Quast is a 21-year-old cattle enthusiast who currently serves in the Illinois Air National Guard. As a child, Quast was exposed to the cattle industry by visiting her uncle’s livestock farm and later attended Illinois Central College where she received a degree in agriscience and technology. During that time, she was mentored by cattle judge and breeder Garrett Lampe. Quast desires to broaden her knowledge of the industry to benefit her passions of livestock photography and 4-H and FFA volunteer work. In the future, Quast hopes to become a drone pilot to aid during natural disasters.
Greg Swartz
Twenty-nine-year-old Greg Swartz lives right on the Illinois River bluff in Pike County Illinois. Greg and his dad Rex Swartz farm there and run a custom hay and baleage service in both Pike and Scott counties. They also sell bale film and net wrap. You will often find Greg hunting, fishing or riding dirt bikes.
The Illinois Beef Leadership Academy is made possible through the generous support of:
uncertainty rules Summer cattle market outlook:
by Joli A. Hohenstein
If there was a word for 2022, it would be “uncertainty.”
For cattle markets, for prices, for beef harvest and for production in general. As we look ahead to summer, the theme pushes forward. Poor weather conditions, tighter margins and increased uncertainty have led U.S. cow-calf producers to three consecutive years of cowherd liquidation. Stronger prices in recent months have improved attitudes across the countryside, but drought has tightened its grip on major producing regions. Expect weather-related challenges to create further cow inventory declines into 2023 – but Illinois does have some bright spots.
“The fortunate part for Illinois is you’ve got moisture,” says Kevin Good, vice president of industry relations for CattleFax. “There’s a layer of counties along the north that have some drought, but at least you’ve got feed [in Illinois].”
Overall, we’re still big on feed numbers, but we’re placing
more cattle. Drought of course, is a huge factor.
“Because of the drought, we have a lot of cattle bunched come summer,” says Cassandra Fish, a beef industry expert who authors The Beef daily market column read by industry professionals in more than 30 countries. “Fed cattle supplies will increase starting in June. We’re larger than 2020 and 2021.”
In fact, we’re at the highest number since 2019 – not as large as that year (the biggest on record), but a significant increase based on where we were in the first quarter of 2022. Fish expects a late summer drop to come. “The fed cattle market will decline from the summer low from this week’s cash, which is expected to be the high for the year,” she says. “The north is significantly premium to the south, because fed cattle are higher in the south.”
Beyond drought, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is also
impacting markets and the cattle market specifically, but was done more for adding to the uncertainty at this point.
“When they invaded in late February, the market took a dive, and we lost $10-$15, but we have put it back on,” Good says. “But it put inflation on steroids, and there continues to be uncertainty.”
That means while beef demand continues to be robust, consumers now have an added fear of inflation. Higher fuel rate, increased energy costs and dramatically rising food prices create a climate in which we just aren’t sure whether consumers will be choosing hamburger or middle meats (the most profitable part of the cow) this summer. The pressure is on consumers.
Normally, the largest cattle slaughter pace comes in May and June seasonally, with June being the largest fed cattle slaughter month. For 50 years, packers have planned for
this eight or nine weeks of heightened demand, pushed by Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day, followed by a slowdown in July and August.
But, thanks to the continued effects of COVID-related supply chain disruptions, along with the packing industry’s seeming inability to return to pre-Pandemic levels (still about 2% short according to Fish), we just don’t know what the summer will look like.
Currently, retail beef prices remain high. “Last year, we produced more beef in history and sold it for the highest prices ever,” says Fish. “Fed cattle carcass weights are the highest in history for all of 2022. That’s pretty extraordinary given how high corn prices are.”
On the other hand, for cow-calf producers, Good believes prices could go higher. “Calf-cow values are as high as 2016, and they will be higher yet,” he says. “Salvage value is higher
because of strong hamburger demand in particular. Calf values are $20 per hundredweight higher than a year ago at the same time, and that will continue all through the year.”
However, Good cautions that will be balanced by higher input prices. “You have inflationary pressures, fertilizer costs, energy costs, labor costs and availability; if you have a loan, your interest rates are higher,” he explains.
Experts expect that wholesale beef prices will average close to last year on an annualized basis. But, what they don’t know is whether beef demand will hold. And, Fish says, thinking that all of those profits would be passed on to producers would also be a mistake.
“Remember, packers buy head and sell pounds – they don’t have to harvest as many to get the pounds,” she explains. “Don’t kid yourself that great beef demand means the cattle industry will gain access to the money, because packers had a record year – they kept most of the money.”
So what can we expect for cattle prices looking ahead to summer? “Do prices go into the low 130s? Probable. Do they go into the 120s? Possible,” Fish says. “It would be a real victory, in my opinion, if prices held at 130.”
The main message experts share is staying the course and keeping a close eye on the bottom line. This doesn’t mean not spending, but rather, carefully directing your spending. For example, Good tells us CattleFax’s yearly survey reveals three areas that top producers repeatedly call out as critical: animal health, nutrition and genetics. “Watch costs and budget, but historically, these are areas you don’t skimp.”
BEEF MARKET RESOURCES
Remember, Illinois Beef Association members have access to some great resources to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry:
CattleFax offers a membership for updates, as well as several educational seminars throughout the year
• The most recent coming up in June
• www.cattlefax.com
The Beef column for cash and futures markets offers excellent insights into regional and global markets
• www.cassandrafish.com
Marketing Reporting Services helps producers make informed risk management decisions. IBA offers preferred pricing for all members.
For more information about how beef is sustainable visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com This BEEF MONTH, remember that Illinois beef farmers and ranchers care deeply for the environment and have a vested interest in sustainability. They want to care for the land that was passed on from their ancestors and leave it better for future generations, and they know that without careful, sustainable management, there’s no land to pass on. US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data Laboratory. USDA National Nutrient Database for
Reference, Release 28 (Slightly revised). Version Current: May 2016. Available at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/ba/bhnrc/ndl
"Being self-employed for many years our health insurance was at an all-time high. We struggled with the neverending increasing cost & with which route to take. During a drop off of Herefords... Dara just happened to mention that she could check into some options for us. Dara came to our rescue! She researched all the factors and we determined that offering group insurance through our Carthage Livestock Inc. Cattle sale barn was the best route to go. We saved money on our premiums, and we were able to offer our employees affordable quality health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Dara goes over and above what is normally expected to help you with your questions or concerns. We are so glad we switched and let Dara take care of our insurance needs!"
Brent & Kristene Lowderman – Carthage Livestock Inc. in Carthage, Ill.
"The health insurance costs and coverages have become very difficult to navigate for anyone self-employed. Working with Dara has taken the guess work out of the process, and has been a huge savings while having better coverage than I had been accustomed to. Thank you for the help and explanations of the coverage... and thank you very much for the substantial savings on premiums."
Bob Lemenager – Lemenager Farms, Ill.
"Dealing with health insurance coverage, prescriptions and costs is mind boggling, but with Dara's assistance and expertise she was able to find the perfect coverage and premium for our family as health care costs go up. I would recommend letting her work her magic in assisting anyone with insurance coverage needs. Dara truly looks out for her customers!" Chris Utegg – AU Showstock
2022 Registration Form
Registration Information
Registration Rates
Conference Location
2022 Summer Conference & Forage Expo Schedule
Tuesday, june 7
8:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
12:15 p.m.
2:00 p.m.
Registration
Illinois Ag Policy Updates
2022 Market Outlook
District 1, 3, 4, 5 & 7 Meetings
Lunch & IBA Annual Meeting
Cattlemen’s Education Series Workshops
All sessions will cover topics applicable to both beef and forage producers
• Alternative Feedstuffs: Keys to Success in Planting, Growing & Harvesting Forages
• Developing Heifers for the Long Haul
3:00 p.m.
Cattlemen’s Education Series Workshops
All sessions will cover topics applicable to both beef and forage producers
• Selecting Varieties: Profitable Forages for You
• Beef Chuck Processing: Primal Into Retail Cuts
4:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
Cocktail Party
Awards Dinner
Wednesday, June 8
6:30 a.m.
8:00 a.m.
12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
Breakfast Buffet at Spoon River Community College Outreach Center
Grazing Management Focus Tour
Lunch
IFGC Forage Expo Demonstrations
forage for the best summer deals
FLEXIBILITY & INNOVATION CRITICAL TO COST-EFFECTIVE DECISIONS
by Barb Anderson
Illinois beef producers must remain on their toes to find and produce the highest quality forages at the best available prices this summer. With grains continuing near record highs, cow-calf producers, especially, must be flexible and innovative in making feed ration decisions.
“With high input prices, hay is going to cost more this summer. Plus, some of the ground generally planted to hay is going into corn and soybeans instead, and that shift in acres will be economically hard on livestock producers,” says Don Brown, hay farmer near Davis, Illinois.
Varied Statewide Scenario
In comments presented at USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum in February, Livestock Marketing Information Center
Director and Senior Economist Katelyn McCullock forecast a decline in U.S. hay acres with an increase in hay prices for the coming months. Ongoing drought in the western U.S. and high-priced corn and soybeans may compete for acres and reduce alfalfa seeding some 25%, she said, the lowest ever new annual seedings estimate.
“Illinois forage acres will be capped by corn and soybean plantings. Commodity prices versus forage opportunities favor corn and soybeans,” confirms Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension beef educator. “Dry weather also impacts forage seeding and availability.”
In fact, spring conditions and summer weather could have regional influence on forages across the state. Meteer notes that while northwest Illinois remains on the drought
monitor, the rest of Illinois has been receiving good spring moisture. That could result in good forage tonnage. However, Doug Hanson, ProHarvest Seeds forage seed lead and Illinois Forage and Grasslands Council president, says areas with dry conditions may see higher forage demand and prices.
“We have local producers in the eastern half of the state that are sitting on hay, while western Illinois and the northern Midwest are dry and are in need of hay,” says Hanson. “Where we usually bale hay in May that is often sold at steady to lower prices, this year market values may actually go up in some places. Producers are not likely to use as much highpriced nitrogen fertilizer, either, which could lower yields and raise forage prices by mid- to late summer.”
McCullock predicts a 20% increase in 2022 alfalfa prices followed by another 18%-20% increase during the following marketing year. With that in mind, now may be the best time for Illinois cow-calf producers who must purchase hay to get it booked.
“Forages are a smaller portion of feedlot rations. However, increases in hay prices combined with already elevated corn prices can result in record high feed costs. Utilizing coproducts and by-product feeds becomes even more important to controlling feed costs,” says Meteer. “Cow-calf producers facing elevated feed costs should prepare to manage forage needs and the grazing season to minimize cost and maximize performance.”
Maximize Summer Forages
Specifically, Meteer recommends cow-calf producers commit to rotational grazing in 2022. When cows are fenced into established areas, they can be moved at the right time for grass to rest. Preventing overgrazing will also maximize nutrition and palatability for the animals.
“Take half, leave half is a traditional rule of thumb with rotational grazing. Keeping forage heights between 6 to 12 inches maximizes quality and yield in most cool season grasses. More grazing days equates to less hay feeding and supplemental feed costs and less total cost,” he says.
Another option is to supplement forage fields with summer annuals that can fill in nutrition gaps. Common small-seeded forages like sorghum-sudangrass, sudangrass and pearl millet can be planted during the summer in Illinois and help stretch out forage availability in pastures.
“Summer annuals are usually a good addition to Illinois pastures because they use a third less moisture and nitrogen and produce good tonnage,” says Hanson.
However, like all crop inputs, summer annual seed prices have increased dramatically. Brown notes the drought in the West created a shortage of small seeds like clover for planting in 2022. He also reports that a 50-pound bag of orchardgrass seed that he typically purchases for $80-$100 was as high as $350 per bag in March and nearly out of stock.
“Since prices have gone up for small seeds, producers should pencil out whether planting any summer annuals will add any profitability to their operations,” says Meteer. “If you want to maintain a corn-soybean rotation and plant forages, consider utilizing cereal rye, triticale or wheat for cover crops. I also like summer annuals to help renovate sacrifice paddocks.”
Consider Other Options
Producers who have hayfields also have options to maximize forage availability and demand.
“If you have a hay field that is growing now, let it grow,” advises Hanson. “After the first cutting, you can terminate the hay and plant sorghum, pearl millet or sudangrass and produce more tons of feed per acre. Or, if the field has a good establishment of alfalfa, maintain it for additional cuttings to get more protein from each acre for feed. You can also terminate hay, plant corn or soybeans, and then buy hay with the added income from high commodity prices.”
Baleage is another option to maximize forage quality and yield. Meteer says baleage is becoming more popular in Illinois for producers who plan to harvest and feed their own hay. “Increases in cost and labor need consideration, but many have found the benefits of shorter harvest windows and a more palatable, higher quality hay as beneficial. Wet hay is more difficult to merchandise. So, if most of the hay you produce is sold off farm, baleage may not fit,” he says.
Meteer encourages producers to remain open to possibilities for generating additional feedstuffs. While planting sorghum-sudan, sudangrass or pearl millet can generate tons of summer forage to be grazed or harvested, anything that helps grazing and extends the season increases profitability.
“Producers can graze or bale corn stalks. Cereal rye or triticale planted in the fall can make great spring baleage for cow-calf operations,” he says.
Hanson agrees cover crops can supplement forage for producers who have planted them before or want to experiment with them this fall. “Illinois farmers have embraced cover crops. They can be grazed until mid-May, or
DOUG HANSON, PROHARVEST SEEDS
they can be harvested and stored for later,” says Hanson. “Last fall was not good for cover crop establishment, though, so that could weigh on availability this year.”
Buy Hay Right Away
If producing forage is not part of the plan, Meteer says buying hay and feeding it in combination with other materials can present cost-effective options for producers.
“Hay sellers this time of year want to clear out their barns, establish relationships with sellers and negotiate the best possible price,” says Meteer. “I am a proponent of alternate feeds when they can work, like baling corn stalks or planting fall oats. Producers don’t have to just think of corn and hay as their feedstuffs. You can be innovative and purchase byproduct feeds and pair them with poorer quality forages to still have successful rations.”
Brown says he and other hay producers in northern Illinois have had a good supply of dry hay in their area so far this spring, although prices are higher.
“Cow-calf producers are buying grass hay for cows to replace alfalfa hay and save money,” he observes. “However, producers will need better-quality hay to replace the protein they would normally get from corn if they choose not to feed as much corn this year.”
While there is a fine line between being profitable producing hay or not this year, Brown hopes to continue to meet producer demand into the future. High trucking costs are an additional concern, along with subsoil moisture deficits which could affect hay supplies this year and next.
“Look at prices and availability and pencil out whether it is cheaper to buy or produce hay. You may be able to reduce fertilizer rates and still get a decent crop if you plant it,” says Hanson.
Add Fall Cover Crops
As Illinois beef producers look to the future of forages,
whether buying hay or purchasing high-quality forage seed for their own fields, these specialists suggest working with trusted partners.
“Producers are fortunate because Illinois has many good seed companies that can help them select the best, highquality, weed-free seed for their operations,” says Hanson. “I encourage producers interested in planting cover crops this fall to start now in making seed selections.”
Hanson adds, “Alfalfa and corn silage will probably always be big feed staples in Illinois. If you take corn and soybean acres and put rye on 50-150 of those acres and let it grow, you will also have baleage next May equating to two to six tons of feed per acre. At the same time, producers are doing good things for their farms environmentally with cover crops. Water quality and soil health improve, and they can still plant corn and soybeans on those acres the following spring.”
Illinois cover crop producers may have state or federal assistance available in the future as well. Hanson says producers should watch for cover crop insurance options.
In 2022, the Illinois Department of Agriculture offered the Cover Crop Premium Discount Program for cover crop acres not enrolled in other state and federal program incentives.
Interested participants were notified of the program last fall for acres planted to cover crops that were slated to be planted to an insurable crop this year. Eligible applicants will receive a $5 per acre insurance premium discount on the following year’s crop insurance invoice for every acre of cover crop enrolled and verified in the program.
In addition, the Illinois program and federal crop insurance programs allow for managed haying and grazing of cover crops if the practice does not jeopardize the intended function of the cover crop and termination guidelines developed by USDA are followed.
For more information, visit www.rma.usda.gov/en/Topics/ Cover-Crops or www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Plants/CoverCrops/ Pages/default.aspx.
JOIN US FOR THE IBA SUMMER CONFERENCE
& IFGC FORAGE EXPO
JOIN US FOR THE IBA SUMMER CONFERENCE & IFGC FORAGE EXPO
Each summer, Illinois Forage and Grasslands Council (IFGC) hosts the Illinois Forage Expo. While the location moves around the state to various host farms, the focus of the annual expo remains the same…to share new forage management practices that can help improve forage production, whether for raising livestock, custom harvesting or selling forage products. While the educational sessions are always packed with information, the equipment and field demonstrations are always a highlight.
This year IFGC is happy to be joining forces with the Illinois Beef Association in sponsoring a combined IBA Summer Conference and IFGC Forage Expo. On the second day of the two day event, participants will have the opportunity to visit a local cattle and forage producer. During the pasture tour, attendees will get an inside look at how different grazing strategies can be implemented onfarm, some of the challenges associated with managing grazing cattle and providing quality forage to meet livestock needs. Over lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to visit with several foragerelated vendors before heading back out to the field for the afternoon. There are several equipment demonstrations planned, including forage cutting, forage baling and bale wrapping. Equipment representatives from several equipment manufacturers will be in attendance to talk about equipment and answer questions.
Are you ready for the next Phase? Prescription-Only Antibiotics
by Dr. Teresa L. Steckler, University of Illinois Extension
Veterinary Feed Directive, or more commonly known as VFD - I think almost everyone has heard that acronym! Several years back that acronym caused much consternation for producers and veterinarians alike. Are you ready for the next phase?
The background is the following: in 2017 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began implementing the Guidance for the Industry #213 (also known as VFD). Implementation of the VFD focused on veterinary oversight of medically important antibiotics delivered to livestock via feed and/or water. A significant loophole for products that were available over-the-counter (OTC) was made. Because of this loophole, on June 11, 2021, the FDA quietly published Guidance for Industry #263 which put in motion the framework to remove any remaining medically important antimicrobials from OTC marketing channels, thus closing this loophole.
Guidance #263 “recommends” producers of medically important antimicrobial drugs that continued to be available OTC and approved for use in animals (companion and food producing), regardless of method of delivery, to voluntarily bring these products under veterinary oversight or prescription marketing status. These product labels will now contain the prescription (Rx) statement, “Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.”
Even though very little information about Guidance #263 was aimed towards livestock producers, the rule may significantly impact the way in which livestock owners are able to access/secure antibiotic therapy for their livestock. While this change does not require the purchase of products from a veterinarian, producers will be legally required to obtain a prescription from a licensed veterinarian. However, the producer must have a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR). Thus, producers may no longer be able to purchase from their local feedstore, farm supply, or local co-op; availability will be on a store-to-store basis.
Much like when the veterinary feed directive was put in place in 2017, some businesses may simply pull these products from store shelves and decline to offer products as they do not have the framework in place to meet the legal burden of acting as a “pharmacy” which requires the ability to review veterinary authorized prescriptions and track refills of those prescription products. For those that do continue to stock these products on their shelves, producers will have to secure a prescription prior to purchasing.
Those producers who already have a VCPR in place and purchase their animal health products through their veterinarian, or who purchase through other distributors under an existing prescription system, will likely notice little change in their ability to source these products. The biggest change will be for those producers that do not consult a
veterinarian on a regular basis. They will need to establish a valid VCPR prior to purchasing these products as they start to disappear from OTC access.
So, in Illinois the legislation that defines the veterinaryclient-patient relationship can be located at https://www.ilga. gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1326&ChapterID=24.
The legislation is called PROFESSIONS, OCCUPATIONS, AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS (225 ILCS 115/) Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004.
This legislation is the following (taken directly from the website): “Veterinarian-client-patient relationship” means that all of the following conditions have been met:
1. The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making clinical judgments regarding the health of an animal and the need for medical treatment and the client, owner, or other caretaker has agreed to follow the instructions of the veterinarian;
2. There is sufficient knowledge of an animal by the veterinarian to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of the medical condition of the animal. This means that the veterinarian has recently seen and is personally acquainted with the keeping and care of the animal by virtue of an examination of the animal or by medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the animal is kept, or the veterinarian has access to the animal patient’s records and has been designated by the veterinarian with the prior relationship to provide reasonable and appropriate medical care if he or she is unavailable; and
3. The practicing veterinarian is readily available for follow-up in case of adverse reactions or failure of the treatment regimen or, if unavailable, has designated another available veterinarian who has access to the animal patient’s records to provide reasonable and appropriate medical care.
“Veterinarian-client-patient relationship” does not mean a relationship solely based on telephonic or other electronic communications.
The following are some products that will be seeing label changes to prescription-only status:
• Oxytetracyclines
o Injectables: Liquamycin LA-200, Noromycin 300 LA, Bio-Mycin 200, Agrimycin 200, etc.
o B oluses: Terramycin Scours Tablets, OXY 500 Calf Boluses
• Penicillins (Penicillin G procaine, penicillin G benzathine)
o Injectables: Penicillin Injectable, Dura-Pen, ProPen-G, Combi-Pen 48, etc.
o Intramammary tubes: Masti-Clear, Go-dry, Albadry Plus
Additionally, several swine medications fall under the new guidance:
• Lincomycin
o Injectables: Lincomix 100, Lincomix 300, LincoMed 100, LincoMed 300
• Gentamicin
• Injectables: Garasol, Gentamicin Piglet Injection So, when will these changes take effect? All products covered under Guidance #263 are to be removed from OTC availability by June 11, 2023. The expectation is that producers will see products start to disappear from store shelves as OTC products over the next 14 months as manufacturers finalize label changes and refine their marketing and distribution channels to assure compliance with prescription requirements. If you do not have a VCPR, now is the time to find and develop that relationship.
at Illinois Beef
new faces at Illinois Beef
by McKenzie Davison
Devin Bollman Membership & Communications Manager
While growing up in urban Houston, Devin Bollman’s journey toward the cattle industry was far from conventional. Unlike many livestock producers, Devin did not grow up on a family farm or ranch where raising cattle was passed down from generation to generation; instead, she was able to get her foot in the door through her local FFA and 4-H programs.
“From the moment I joined FFA and 4-H, I knew this is it, this is what I wanted to do with my life”, explains Devin.
Throughout high school, her free time was often spent at cattle shows across Texas. With the help of her family and local 4-H program, she was able to purchase her very own Hereford steer that she housed at the 4-H barn. She may not have known it at the time, but her investment in a single Hereford steer would soon open a door of opportunities for Devin in the cattle industry. That year, Devin showed her steer at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She walked out of the ring that day with a smile on her face and a banner in her hand after she won Champion Hereford Steer.
“As I walked out of the ring, I looked to my dad and told him I was ready to show big cows now.”
Year after year, Devin purchased a Hereford heifer to add to her show string, and before she knew it, she had a whole barn full of Herefords and a small herd of her own. However,
showing meant much more to Devin than banners and buckles; she saw the unique leadership opportunities her state Hereford association had to offer. As a junior, Devin served as president of the Texas Hereford Association Junior Board of Directors and also as Texas Hereford Queen.
“One thing led to another, and here I was years down the road working for a Hereford operation and headfirst into the Texas Hereford Association.”
Devin’s involvement in the association guided her throughout her job search. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in beef production and beef industry studies. Due to job market complications during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Devin chose to pursue a full-time position for a local livestock and videography company. She learned many skills through her experience with the company including media coordination, content development, social media management and urban consumer outreach. Devin hopes to utilize these skills when she begins her new adventure at IBA.
To others, leaving your home state and uprooting your life for a new career opportunity may seem like a daunting task; however, for this born and raised Texan, the move to Illinois is an adventure she is excited to take.
“When I first started applying for jobs, a close friend of mine told me that I’ll never know if I love Texas if I don’t leave Texas and find out what else is out there”.
Devin is eager to start her new career at the Illinois Beef Association as the membership and communications manager. Devin will serve as the new membership recruitment manager and assist the team with public relations, covering both checkoff and policy-related news.
“I am most looking forward to working with the team at IBA. I had the chance to meet them all in the beginning of April, and they are absolutely amazing people. We all immediately clicked.”
Annie Schoetmer Programs and Services Manager
Livestock enthusiast, Annie Schoetmer, is returning to her roots through her new position at the Illinois Beef Association. Annie grew up on her small family farm outside of Batesville, Ind. Her love for agriculture started at a young age while assisting with her grandfather’s commercial cow-calf herd. Although Annie grew to love cattle through the time spent with her grandfather, as she got older, she was presented with an opportunity with another commodity group.
“My high school ag teacher got me involved in showing sheep. She played a huge role in building my love and passion for livestock,” says Annie.
Following high school, Annie attended Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC). At LLCC, she spent her time attending Pediatric Academic Societies and Ag Club meetings, plus traveling the Midwest evaluating livestock for the LLCC Livestock Judging Team.
Annie traded her LLCC blue and red for purple and white to continue her education in Manhattan, Kan. She graduated from Kansas State University with an animal science and industries degree.
“Throughout college, I had a diverse set of internships and experiences. I believe that my involvement in the industry will prove to be very beneficial when communicating with different producers from various backgrounds.”
Annie hopes to utilize her degree and internship experiences in her new position at IBA. She will be serving as the new Programs and Services Manager. Annie is most excited to serve the beef producers of Illinois through IBA’s different events.
Annie will be traveling the state to host IBA events like Beef Quality Assurance trainings, IBA Summer Conference and the Illinois Forage and Grasslands Forage Expo, Edge Conference, the Illinois Livestock Leadership Institute, Illinois State Fair, and Illinois Beef Expo, while keeping an open ear for potential future events.
“I want to figure out how we can tailor each experience to fit our member’s needs and interests.”
Annie will be returning to Illinois not only to serve IBA but to live on a 300-head commercial cow-calf operation much like her grandfather’s that sparked her initial interest in the livestock industry.
“I plan to look at new member opportunities and find resources that I can bring to events that will benefit our program in our evolving industry.”
Mary Faber Financial Officer
Whether it is beef or dairy, cattle have played a huge role in the life of Mary Faber. Mary grew up in Pontiac where she spent most of her childhood helping on her family’s dairy farm, Mackinson Dairy. However, as she has grown older and furthered her career, she has found herself in closer ties with the beef industry. When Mary was in high school Pontiac did not have an agriculture education program, but she was able to find her passion for agriculture through her local 4-H program and on her family farm.
“Agriculture was something that I knew I loved. I also took an accounting course my senior year of high school, and I really enjoyed it, so I decided why not combine the two,” says Mary.
After high school, Mary attended Illinois State University, where she earned a degree in agriculture business. She then spent 17 years working in cooperate America. In the meantime, she was able to earn her master’s degree in business administration. Although she spent much of her professional career in cooperate, she was eager to return to her cattle industry roots. In October of 2020, Mary left her job in hopes of launching her own bookkeeping business. What started as a simple Facebook post regarding any potential inquiries, has now blossomed into a community of cattle producing clients nationwide.
“Even though I grew up with a dairy background, I have more beef clients, and I know more about beef production today because of my ties to the beef industry.”
Mary’s ties to the beef industry stretch much farther than her business. For Mary, raising cattle has also become a family affair. She now resides just two miles from her childhood home, where she and her family raise both beef and dairy cattle.
“I have enjoyed the flexibility that comes along with running my own business. I am now able to spend more time with my family getting to do what we love, raising and showing cattle.”
Mary is excited to return to an industry where she can make connections with others who share her same love and passion for cattle.
“I look forward to working in the industry and continuing to make connections among producers.”
Mary will serve Illinois Beef Association as Financial Officer. IBA is happy to welcome Mary Faber, “the dairy girl,” as she put it, with open arms. Mary’s bookkeeping skills, combined with our new team of agricultural advocates, will ensure a bright future for IBA and Illinois cattle producers for
years to come
“I have always been a numbers person, but I recently became acquainted with influencers and advocates in the beef industry. I have come to find that their talent with words combined with my skills with numbers makes the perfect team.”
Olivia Hoots Membership Services Coordinator
Illinois native, Olivia Hoots’, roots stem back to rural Manchester. For Olivia, the cattle industry runs in her blood. She grew up helping on her uncle and grandfather’s Red Angus seedstock operation, Andras Stock Farm.
“I grew up with a strong appreciation for agriculture and the cattle industry. I got involved in the industry at a young age through showing Red Angus cattle,” says Olivia.
Olivia immersed herself in the industry by helping with her family’s cattle sales. Her favorite ways to help included handing out bidder numbers and connecting with local cattlemen and cattlewomen.
“Attending sales and meeting the faces behind cattle operations gave me an appreciation for the industry here in Illinois. This allowed me to learn some of the different aspects of the industry outside of showing and how my family and other producers run their business.”
Olivia continued her education at Lincoln Land Community College, with an emphasis in agriculture. Her love for agriculture and the cattle industry led her to the sunflower state, where she attended Kansas State University, majoring in agricultural communications and journalism.
After graduation, Olivia worked as an intern at the Kansas Department of Agriculture with the state’s trademark program, From the Land of Kansas.
“I learned a lot about connecting with the members of the agriculture community in Kansas by helping them fulfill their membership benefits in association with the program.”
As a previous member of the Illinois Junior Beef Association, Olivia understands the importance of supporting the cattlemen and cattlewomen in the state of Illinois.
“I have a strong appreciation for what the Illinois Beef Association does for their members. I look forward to meeting, supporting and making connections with the producers and leaders of the Illinois cattle industry.
Her new role as the Membership Services Coordinator will help strengthen the member-to-association relationship and help IBA uncover the needs of the producers in Illinois. Olivia will be working to bridge the gap between marketing and membership promotions at IBA.
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CHECKING IN WITH THE CHECKOFF
BEEF PROMOTION OPPORTUNITIES STRONG FOR KICKOFF OF SUMMER GRILLING SEASON
To mark the celebration of May as Beef Month in Illinois, IBA has several marketing and promotional activities currently underway. Aimed at building demand for beef through education and communications, the promotional campaigns starting in May will continue into the summer grilling season with a goal of highlighting the benefits beef brings to consumer households.
To build more demand in the state’s largest consumer marketplace, IBA has again partnered with the Chicago Tribune in May for digital and print promotions highlighting beef products to urban consumers. Expanded from last summer’s outreach, the multi-month campaign features advertising and promotional messages developed in partnership with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for the nationwide “Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner” campaign. IBA has teamed up with the Iowa Beef Industry Council, who is providing additional budget dollars to support the media campaign, including an online social media sweepstakes aimed at engaging thousands of would-be beef grilling enthusiasts for a chance at a select number of beef product giveaways, along with branded beef giveaway items.
To support the Beef Month campaign, and the official rollout of summer grilling season, IBA has also partnered with Sam’s Club locations across the state in a special marketing push of retail beef promotions through the end of June. Aimed at increasing the amount of beef purchased by Sam’s Club shoppers, this retail promotion connects shoppers via the retailer’s mobile app to in-store opportunities and connects them with information and advertising messages developed to encourage shoppers to pick up more beef from the meat case. This program has been developed in partnerships with several other state beef councils, and national beef checkoff program staff. Sam’s Club is one of the larger beef retail opportunities in Illinois, given the millions of member-shoppers they have at locations across the entire state.
In conjunction with the promotions in Chicago, IBA staff are working across the state in support of marketing and public relations partnerships with several of our affiliate organizations. Local programs include beef donations to area food banks and media interviews to promote our industry programs and producer-members.
BEEF IN THE EARLY YEARS MATERIALS REACHES HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourage introducing meats, like beef, to infants at around six months of age. NCBA, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff, is leading efforts to update physicians on the importance of including beef in the early years.
Through a recent collaboration, e-Newsletters and
advertisement educational materials were distributed to more than 249,000 health professionals. Toolkits featuring Early Years educational materials and feeding tips reached 3,225 pediatric offices around the nation, eventually reaching more than 150,000 health professionals, parents and caregivers.
with Nutrient-rich BEEF Make Every Bite Count
Experts recommend 1-2 ounces a day of animal-based foods such as beef when infants start complementary first foods at six months of age.
With its high-quality protein, iron, zinc and choline, beef can help infants thrive as they grow through key developmental milestones.
PROTEIN
Essential for physical growth and development
vitamin b6
Vital for development of brain and nervous system
ZINC
Essential for growth, cognitive development, appetite regulation and immune function
vitamin b12
Supports brain development and producing healthy red blood cells choline
Essential for physical growth and development
heme iron
Essential for various metabolic processes for growth, neurologic development and immune function
If you have questions about starting solid foods, consult your physician or healthcare provider.
To learn more about infant and toddler nutrition, hover your smartphone’s camera over the QR code.
USDA SEEKS NOMINEES FOR THE CATTLEMEN’S BEEF PROMOTION AND RESEARCH BOARD
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominees for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (Cattlemen’s Beef Board) to succeed 39 members with terms that expire March 2023. The deadline for nominations is June 9, 2022. Nominees are needed to succeed members in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Northwest Unit (Alaska, Hawaii and Washington), Southwest Unit (California and Nevada) and Importer Unit.
The Cattleman’s Beef Board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 and is composed of 101 members representing 34 separate states, four units of geographically grouped states and one importer unit.
Beef producers within the United States who own cattle or any importers that import cattle or beef may be nominated. Producers and importers must be nominated by a certified producer organization and submit a completed application. The secretary of agriculture will select individuals from the nominations submitted. IBA is a certified producer organization. Please call the IBA office at 217-787-4280 with any questions.
Since 1966, congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.
HOW DO BEEF CHECKOFF FUNDS GET DISTRIBUTED?
See the process from submitting Authorization Requests to receiving Beef Checkoff funds:
• By law, only non-profit, beef industry governed organizations that have been in existence for more than two years may apply for Beef Checkoff funding. These organizations are called contractors, and they must apply for Beef Checkoff funds annually through proposals called Authorization Requests.
• Authorization Requests are vetted through large, producer-led program committees throughout the year. The Beef Promotion Operating Committee, a 20-member producer/importer body, ultimately makes
the funding decisions for contractors every September for the following fiscal year.
• No Beef Checkoff dollars can be used for lobbying or influencing politics.
• Contractors can only receive Checkoff dollars on a cost-recovery basis, which means contractors must pay expenses upfront and are only reimbursed after the CBB reviews invoices and documentation proving the money was spent within the parameters of the Beef Promotion Act and Order, and within the guidelines of their respective Authorization Request’s.
Front Row (L-R): Katie Cooper (MT), Torri Lienemann (NE), Cheryl DeVuyst (OK), Nancy Jackson (MS), Kiley Martinell (MT); Back Row (L-R): Travis Maddock (ND), Chris Jeffcoat (PA), Ryan Moorhouse (TX), Norman Voyles, Jr., CHAIR (IN), Brad Hastings, VICE CHAIR (TX), Clark Price (ND), Jeff Rudolph (NE), Alan “Al” Lyman (IL), Scott Lake (WY), Andy Bishop (KY), Bill McLaren (MO), James “Jimmy” Taylor (OK), Dan Gattis (TX); Not Pictured: Jeff Isenmann (MI), Michael White (TX)
May/June 2022
President: David Jenkins
Vice President: Carla Jurgenson
Secretary: Aaron Schafer
Business Manager: Doug Turner
Past President: Joel York
Bureau County: John DeRycke
Central Illinois: Luke Lemenager
Illinois Valley: Open
Lamoine Valley: Tracy Rawlings
Logan County : Carla Jurgenson
Northern Illinois: Jarad Carroll
South Central: Richard Hurst
Wabash Valley: Keith Kramer
Directors At Large:
Tyler Rhode
Trevor Kuipers
David Jenkins
Jeff Dameron
Brent Henkel
Lee Stremsterfer
David Mool
Dan Naughton
Greg McClure
Kyle Beutke
Joel York
Grant Bedel
Photo taken at Dameron Angus by Illinois Beef Association staff.
Charles Parr Earns Junior Bronze and Silver Award
Charles Parr, Mason City, Ill., has earned the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) Bronze and Silver awards, according to Caitlyn Brandt, events and junior activities director of the American Angus Association® in Saint Joseph, Mo.
Parr is the 18-year-old son of Bret and Kirsten Parr and attends Illini Central High School. He is a member of the NJAA and the Illinois Junior Angus Association, where he has served as director.
He has participated in local state and national shows and showmanship contests. At the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), Parr participated in the livestock judging contest. He also participated in the Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference in 2021.
Parr has submitted weight data to the Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR®).
The Bronze and Silver awards are the first two levels of the NJAA Recognition Program that began in 1972. Junior Angus breeders must apply for the awards, then meet point requirements in many areas of participation before receiving the honors. Applicants are evaluated in areas of junior Angus association activities and leadership, participation in showmanship, contests and shows, using performance testing to improve their herd and their progress in producing and merchandising Angus cattle.
The NJAA promotes the involvement of young people in raising Angus cattle, while also providing leadership and selfdevelopment opportunities for the nearly 4,500 active members nationwide.
Rhode Awarded 2022 David R. Jenkins and Mary J. Mattern-Jenkins Scholarship
Garrett Rhode is the animal science undergraduate student awards recipient of the 2022 David R. Jenkins and Mary J. Mattern-Jenkins scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students transferring from a community college to the University of Illinois with a special interest in beef production. Special consideration is given to students that are members of Illinois Junior Angus Association or Illinois Angus Association. Rhode is the son of Tyler and Melissa Rhode.
Memories made at his family’s cow-calf operation mean Rhode has an enthusiasm for the livestock industry. He remembers being a firstyear junior at the Wisconsin State Fair open show where he showed his Simmental bull named “Rockstar. Fond memories such as this increased his eagerness to be part of his family’s cattle business. They raise purebred Angus and Simmental cattle for market and to be shown. Rhode says, “Over the years, I have been involved with the feeding, reproduction and overall well-being of our herd.”
Some of Rhodes achievements include 2021 American Junior Simmental South Central Regional Reserve Purebred Simental Bull, 2019 Rutledge Farms Work Ethic Award and 2019 Illinois Beef Expo livestock judging tenth highest individual. In addition, he’s been active in 4-H and FFA livestock judging teams and is now on the University of Illinois livestock judging team. Rhode is a member of Illinois Junior Angus Association, the National Junior Angus Association, Illinois Junior Simmental Association and Illinois Junior Beef Association where he serves as president of the board. Past professional experiences for Rhode include working for a variety of farms across the state of Illinois.
Rhode is currently studying agricultural consumer economics with a concentration in agribusiness markets and management and works at the University of Illinois beef and sheep research farm where he assists with feeding and maintenance. In the near future, Rhode hopes to have a bachelor’s degree and be raising cattle with his brothers as they expand their herd, as well as be active in his county’s Farm Bureau.
“I want to be a positive contributor to agriculture professionally and personally,” Rhode says. After college, he desires to make a difference as an agriculture advocate. “By participating in Farm Bureau action requests, reaching out to legislators, confidently speaking to consumers about providing a safe and abundant food supply, I know agriculture will continue to thrive and I look forward to being actively involved.”
Show Results
2022 Mid-Atlantic Junior Angus Classic Regional Preview Show
Harrisonburg, Va. | March 12-13
Randy Mullinix, Toulan, Ill.,
by: Next Level Images
Photos
Grand Champion Owned Female Ella Brooks
The ILLINOIS BULLETIN
CONTENTS
PRESIDENT
Dave Roome 309-945-8400
VICE-PRESIDENT
Gene Stumpf 618-407-8374
TREASURER
Buddy Edenburn (217) 649-0108
MEMBERSHIP SERVICES
Dr. Tamar Crum 217-820-0964 illinoishereford@gmail.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Randy Kline, 309-824-9937
Matt Johnson, 309-883-9466
Phil Tjardes, 815-383-0003
Brent Lowderman, 309-221-9621
Luke Goldstein, 217-663-3390
Cody Crum, 217-248-7282
Jodi McMillan, 815-751-2293
Chad Benedict, 217-246-5099
Kent Burns, 618-521-3199
Photo of Logan Lorenzen of Lorenzen Farms. Taken by Betty Haynes.
President Dave Roome called the meeting to order – 108 people were present, representing 38 memberships, constituting a quorum. The secretary’s minutes from the 2020 meeting and the Treasurer’s Report for 2021 were circulated and opened for discussion. Dean Harfst moved to approve the IHA’s minutes from the 2022 Annual Meeting. Robert Knott seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Scott Torrance moved to accept the IHA’s Treasurer’s Report. Jacob Chapman seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Tracie Sayre gave the Illinois Hereford Women report. She introduced the IHW Board; Annette Crane Vice President, Melissa Bernard Secretary and Lisa Edenburn Treasurer. The IHW had some live auction items with all funds going to support the state queen and princess program, along with other IJHA programs. Abigail Petersen was recognized as the queen and Elaina Walsh and Rachel Hood were recognized as princesses.
Nick Torrance, member of IJHA, addressed the membership and updated on the recent activities of the junior association. The 2022 preview show is in Altamont, Illinois, and JNHE is in Louisville, Kentucky.
Buddy Edenburn, committee chair for the junior scholarship committee, recapped the junior scholarships and awards programs. Award programs available in 2022 will include the Tjardes Memorial Scholarship, the Junior Prospect Award and the Faces of Leadership Travel Scholarship.
Buddy Edenburn updated the members on plans for the 2022 Illinois Hereford Tour and announced that it will be in western Illinois. Final stops are yet to be determined. He asked everyone to stay tuned for the next issue of the Hereford Bulletin for more details.
Award Presentations:
• Randy Kline honored Stephens Hereford Farm of Taylorville, Illinois as the IHA Breeder of the Year.
• Kent Burns presented Manlee Knobloch as the IHA Hall of Fame Inductee.
• Dave Roome honored Tamar Crum with the Distinguished Service Award.
• Dave Roome also recognized himself, Brent Lowderman, Luke Goldstein and Phil Tjardes as outgoing IHA board members and officers.
Dave Roome presented the Director Nominating Report and recommended the following individuals to serve a three-year term:
• Northern Region – Dave Biggs, Dixon, Illinois
• Central Region – Matt Anderson, Morton, Illinois
• Southern Region – Kevin Babbs, Salem, Illinois
• At Large – Kim Carney-Rhodes, Carlinville, Illinois
Kyle McMillan moved to accept the nominations. Kent Burns seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Seeing no further business, Kent Burns moved to adjourn the meeting and Kyle McMillan seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
President’sNote President’sNote
As I draft this report on April 15 the weather has been crazy all week, and even all month. We had sunny weather and two days later we had four inches of snow, then it was nice again for three days and back to frost on our car windows the next. Wonderful weather for northwest Illinois, right? I know we have not had the severe weather other parts of the country have had, but it is frustrating trying to keep all the livestock healthy and start on fieldwork.
There are many sales going on throughout the state. Bull sales have stayed consistent all spring for anyone looking to add new genetics to their herd. Also, the fall heifer sales have been strong and continue to pop up on the internet. It seems like only a few years ago fall show heifers were rare, but they have recently become the trendy option. The crop and livestock prices have all stayed strong for the beginning of spring which means feed and fertilizer prices have been crazy as well. It does not seem like anything is ever easy in the livestock industry.
By the time this update is published it will be getting close to some important weeks for our Simmental juniors and their families. To start, June 4-5 will be the Illinois Junior Simmental Association Preview Show at the McDonough County fairgrounds in Macomb. June 8-11 will be the American Junior Simmental Association Eastern Regional Classic in Lebanon, Indiana. Then what everyone has been waiting for, the AJSA Junior Nationals will be June 24-30 in Madison, Wisconsin. With Illinois hosting, our three coordinators Paul Walker, Sherry Adcock and Jennifer Tarr are doing a great job of putting everything together. It will be an exciting time for all our AJSA juniors. I would like to give a huge shout out to the fundraising committee led by Curt Rincker. They have done an awesome job of raising funds for this event. Thank you to all who have donated and/or helped to get ready for this week. We still have many things to do, but everything seems to be coming together.
I hope everyone is having a safe spring and are looking forward to a great start to summer. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to call myself or any of the board members of your Illinois Simmental Association. I hope to see everyone at all the upcoming events. Find details for our events on our website(illinoissimmental.com) or the IJSA’s Facebook page.
Scott Frederick, ISA President
Purebred Breeders
Illinois Beef, printed bi-monthly, is the official publication of the IBA. It serves as the voice of Illinois’ 12,000 beef producers.
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