Tennessee Cattle Business - June 2023

YOUTH AGENDA

In conjunction with the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association’s Stockmen in the Smokies Summer Conference

JULY 21, 2023

8:00: Trade Show Opens

8:00: County Chase Activity Opens (winners announced 10:30 on Sat.)

9:00-10:00: “Shifting Your Mindset & Shaping New Opportunities in Challenging Times” – Amanda Radke, South Dakota Rancher and Ag Advocate

11:00-12:00: “Meaningful Ag Advocacy Begins with Building Relationships” – Amanda Radke

12:00-1:30: TCA’s Awards Luncheon (ticket required)

1:30-2:30: Livestock Judging Workshop – Taylor Langford, UT Livestock Judging Team Coach

2:30-3:30: Animal Traceability & Identification Activity – Aaron Fisher, UT Youth Livestock Specialist

3:30-4:30: “Beef Up Your Advocacy,” – Emily Haskew, TBIC Director of Marketing & Communications

5:15: Trade Show Closes

JULY 22, 2023

8:00: Trade Show Opens

(“Beef Up Your Advocacy” is a Tennessee CattleWomen’s session but youth are encouraged to attend.)

8:30-9:30: TCA Convention Scavenger Hunt

8:30-10:30: Tennessee CattleWomen’s Association Youth Public Speaking Contest

9:30-10:30: “Beef Breakdown,” Interactive workshop that highlights the beef process from pasture to plate, and where the different cuts come from – Emily Haskew, TBIC Director of Marketing & Communications

10:30: County Chase Activity Winners Announced 11:00: Trade Show Closes

12:00: Lunch (ticket required)

TENNESSEE CATTLEWOMEN’S AGENDA

In conjunction with the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association’s Stockmen in the Smokies Summer Conference

JULY 21, 2023

8:00: Trade Show Opens -

9:00-10:00: “Shifting Your Mindset & Shaping New Opportunities in Challenging Times” – Amanda Radke, South Dakota Rancher and Ag Advocate

11:00-12:00: “Meaningful Ag Advocacy Begins with Building Relationships” – Amanda Radke

12:00-1:30: TCA’s Awards Luncheon (ticket required)

2:30-3:00: TCW Business Meeting

3:00-3:30: TCW Social Gathering

3:30-4:30: “Beef Up Your Advocacy,” How to take your advocacy to the next level with some easy tips and tricks, AND a special panel discussion and Q&A featuring Farm Moms from the Tennessee Beef Industry Council (TBIC) Farm Mom Series – Emily Haskew, TBIC Director of Marketing & Communications

5:15: Trade Show Closes

JULY 22, 2023

8:00: Trade Show Opens

8:30-10:30: TCW Youth Public Speaking Contest

11:00: Trade Show Closes; TCW Basket Raffle Fundraiser will close one hour prior to the trade show closing.

Check

Basket Raffle

in the Trade Show! All proceeds go to the TCW Scholarship!

“OUTSTANDING people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission.” - Zig Ziglar

The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Outstanding Youth Award was established in 2018 to recognize outstanding members of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Association for their involvement in the cattle and agriculture industries, leadership, and community service. The 2022 winners were selected and recognized during the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Youth Banquet held in January 2023. The 2022 winners, Gracie Giles and Allison Davis, embody what it means to be an outstanding individual in the cattle industry. They have a sense of purpose to succeed in the cattle industry and take their operations to the next level. Gracie and Allison were the junior and senior division winners, respectively. The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association’s Director of Youth Programs and Outreach, Melinda Perkins, caught up with the winners to talk about their operations, involvement in the cattle industry, and their accomplishments.

There are two divisions for the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Outstanding Youth Award: junior and senior. Participants are judged based on the magnitude of their involvement and accomplishments in the cattle industry, leadership and participation in the industry, community service, and response to the essay question. Award winners receive a cash award and trophy belt buckle sponsored by Luke Teeple and Oakdale Farms. The 2023 award application will be available in the September issue of the Tennessee Cattle Business magazine.

Tell us about yourself and your operation.

Gracie: My name is Gracie Giles, and I was the recipient of the 2022 Junior Outstanding Youth Award. I am a sophomore at Anderson County High School where I am involved as Class President, FFA Vice President, and a leader of our Student Government Association. I exhibit Shorthorn and Angus cattle around the country. I was named the High Point Senior Level I Showman for the 2022 Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health show point season. At home, my family runs around 30 head of mixed breed cattle. I market the freezer meat raised on my operation, along with helping others promote their business ventures. I own Gracie Giles Creatives, which is a photography and graphic design service. Agriculture plays an important role in my life and has provided me with many outlets for success.

How did you get involved in the cattle industry?

Gracie: Growing up on my family’s diversified livestock operation, I have always appreciated my dad’s herd of commercial beef cattle. I started showing market lambs at the age of seven, and when I got in the fourth grade, I leased two Hereford heifers from Travis Dawson. These heifers started my love for the cattle industry. Walt Dickson of Smoky Mountain Farms has played a key role in my love of Shorthorn cattle.

Q&A by Melinda Perkins; photos provided

What are your future plans for yourself and your cattle operation?

Gracie: After high school, I hope to become a food scientist and work for a large corporation as a marketing director. This side of agriculture was introduced to me by my FFA advisor. I plan to maintain a herd of cattle of my own and continue to exhibit cattle on the local and national level until I age out.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment to date?

Gracie: My biggest accomplishment to date is definitely winning the Shorthorn Plus Market Steer Show at the 2022 National Junior Shorthorn Show. This was a big moment for me and my family. That steer and that win will forever hold a special place in my heart.

What is your favorite part about being involved in the cattle industry?

Gracie: My favorite part of being involved in the cattle industry would have to be the opportunity to create connections around the country. I have friends in South Dakota and Oklahoma, which I would have never met if it hadn’t been for the cattle industry. I enjoy getting to go to junior nationals every summer to meet new friends and then keeping in touch with them throughout the year and meeting up with them at National FFA Convention and other cattle and ag events across the country.

What did it mean to you to be selected as the 2022 Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Outstanding Youth Award winner?

Gracie: When Luke Teeple announced the reintroduction of this award in 2019, I was ecstatic. I have watched as my peers have won the award over the past few years and questioned when my time would come. Winning this award has helped me realize that every challenge we are faced with is an opportunity for growth. Winning this award also makes all the late nights at the barn, time spent with my FFA chapter, and hours dedicated to my livestock projects worth it. It is rewarding to be recognized by your fellow cattlemen and women. Winning alongside Allison Davis was a big honor, due to the fact that I have always looked up to her as a showman, both in and out of the show ring.

How has the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association helped you grow as a young cattle producer?

Gracie: I owe a large part of my success to the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association and the individuals who call it home. Melinda Perkins has been an extreme asset to my involvement, encouraging me to dive deeper into the industry and all it has to offer. The Tennessee’s Top Tier sponsored by Merck Animal Health program has provided me with valuable lessons, such as how to win with grace and lose with humility. I couldn’t have asked to be a part of a better youth association.

Tell us about yourself and your operation.

Allison: My name is Allison Davis, I am from Shelbyville, Tennessee. I am currently a sophomore at Kansas State University studying agricultural communications. I have been a member of the American Angus Association since I was 6 months old. I have been an active member of the Tennessee Junior Angus Association, Bedford County 4-H, and the Bedford County FFA chapter. I represented Tennessee at both the National 4-H and FFA Meats Evaluation Contests in 2019. This spring I was a member of the Kansas State Wool Judging Team. I had multiple Top 10 finishes at various collegiate wool judging contests, including, Black Hills Stock Show, National Western Stock Show, and San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. I have 40 head of registered Angus cattle. I sell females every spring privately for junior members to show and build a herd around. The bull calves get sold to a breeder in Oklahoma at weaning. My herd is 100% the result of artificial insemination and embryo transfer. I have raised and exhibited 3 champions at the National Junior Angus Show and 9 division winners.

How did you get involved in the cattle industry?

Allison: I’ve always joked that I was born into the cattle industry and never had a choice but to be involved. However, I would not have it any other way. Both of my parents’ families have been involved in the cattle industry for many generations. I do not know any different. I’ve always been taught to feed the cows before opening the presents on Christmas day, feed the show cattle before I can go out with my friends, or check the cows before going back to town for volleyball practice. This involvement allowed me to learn many lessons I could not learn in a classroom.

What are your future plans for yourself and your cattle operation?

Allison: In the future, I hope to work for a junior breed association. The National Junior Angus Association has given me so many opportunities that I will never be able to repay. I hope to be able to help give kids these opportunities and allow them to feel as if they have been set up for success once their time in the show ring is done. The agriculture industry is the greatest place to raise a child and I hope to one day have an impact on a kid like so many have had on me. Of course, I still plan to maintain my herd of Angus cattle in the future and continue to raise top of the line genetics.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment to date?

Allison: My biggest accomplishment came last summer at the 2022 National Junior Angus Show. I exhibited two champions at the nation’s largest junior national. AED Rita 037H, “Harley” was named the Grand Champion Bred & Owned Heifer and her sister, AED Rita 821F, “Raz” was later named the Reserve Grand Champion Bred & Owned Cow/Calf Pair. Both animals were three generations of my breeding, so that made the win even sweeter. Raz is my favorite cow, so seeing her finish her show career with a big win was very exciting.

What is your favorite part about being involved in the cattle industry?

Allison: My favorite part of the cattle industry is the relationships I have made with both the people and animals. I love getting to be there when the cow is getting bred, then seeing the calf grow up and become a cow itself. Every cow on our farm has a name, whether it was a show cow or not. I love being able to go out in my herd and knowing where on the farm a cow’s mother or even grandmother was born. The people in the agriculture industry are second to none. Some of my very best friends have come from this industry. It is so crazy how you can go months without seeing someone and feel like you were never apart. The relationships made will last a lifetime and you know you can always count on that person for anything you may need. You never know when or where you may need assistance, but thanks to the cattle industry a friend is never far.

What did it mean to you to be selected as the 2022 Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Outstanding Youth Award winner?

Allison: It was an honor to receive this award and be appreciated for my accomplishments in and outside of the show ring. I have strived to make myself a well-rounded individual. Maintaining leadership positions in school, state and regional Angus associations, and sports in high school helped me become the person I am today. I was a fouryear Student Council member, Senior Class President, FFA President, Captain of the Volleyball team and a two-year member of NHS. I also graduated 5th in my class of 300 students. In the Tennessee Junior Angus Association, I have held every leadership position offered and first became an officer in 2015 and served as the state queen in 2022. I was the junior co-chair of the 2020 Eastern Regional Junior Angus Show and the junior chair for the 2023 event. I have been an officer for the Atlantic National Jr. Angus Board since 2018, and currently am the Vice-Chairmen. I have been a voting delegate for the state of Tennessee at the National Junior Angus Show three times. I was also selected as one of the five finalists for Miss American Angus in 2022.

How has the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association helped you grow as a young cattle producer?

Allison: Being involved with the Tennessee Cattlemen’s has allowed me to see many career options within the cattle industry. Serving as a youth ambassador in 2021-2022 opened my eyes to the different opportunities available working with youth in the industry.

“I’ve always joked that I was born into the cattle industry and never had a choice but to be involved. However, I would not have it any other way...”