Illinois Simmental News

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

Scott Frederick, ISA President