Tennessee Cattle Business - May 2024

beef

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SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS

The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association (TCA) and Tennessee CattleWomen’s Association (TCW) will award a total of four, $600 scholarships to outstanding students who demonstrate good leadership skills, industry involvement, and a desire to pursue a career in the beef industry Fields of study may include education, communications, production, research, or any other area involved with the beef industry The purpose of this program is to identify and encourage talented and thoughtful students who will emerge as industry leaders

CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must be graduating high school seniors, enrolled in a technical school program, or full-time undergraduate students enrolled at a two or four-year institution in Tennessee for the entire 2024-2025 academic year. Scholarship money will be paid directly to the institution of learning to be applied toward the student’s expenses.

Applicants must have demonstrated a commitment to a career in the beef industry through life experiences, industry involvement, 4-H & FFA involvement, and coursework

Previous scholarship winners are eligible to apply in subsequent years, but preference will be given to new applicants

JUDGING PROCESS

TCA and TCW leadership will review the applications, essays, and select the winners Essays will be judged on originality, grammar, clarity of expression, accuracy, and genuineness. Judges decisions are final. The Tennessee Cattle Business reserves the right to publish all or any parts of the essays submitted. Applications will be judged on the Essay (50%) and Activity in 4-H, FFA, and other agriculture organizations (50%)

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Essay – write an essay of 500 words or less on the following topic, “As beef cattle producers and enthusiasts, how should we educate the consumer on our products and practices?

References – obtain a letter of reference from a current or former instructor, or industry professional

List participation in 4-H, FFA, and other agriculture organizations 3 Applicant must be a member of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Association, Tennessee CattleWomen’s Association, OR their parent or grandparent must be a member of the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association OR Tennessee CattleWomen’s Association.

Applications must be postmarked by June 1, 2024

CONTACT INFORMATION

Name Address City State Zip County Phone Email

Are you a Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Assn. Member? Yes No Membership No.

Are you a Tennessee CattleWomen’s Assn. Member? Yes No Membership No.

Are your parents and/or grandparents a Tennessee Cattlemens’s Assn. Member?

Yes No Membership No

Institution of Learning

Career Interest(s)

Anticipated Completion of Studies (Year)

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

Q&A by

Melinda Perkins; photos

provided

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 2023 winners were selected and recognized during the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Youth Banquet held in January 2024. The 2023 winners, Jana Owen and Allie Harrison, 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. Jana and Allie were the senior and junior 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 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 2024 award application will be available in the September issue of the Tennessee Cattle Business magazine.

Tell us about yourself and your operation.

Jana: I am currently a senior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, majoring in Animal Science and minoring in Agricultural Communications. I grew up on a Shorthorn cattle farm in Taft, TN, where we raise show cattle and sell beef to local consumers.

How did you get involved in the cattle industry?

Jana: My dad bought some Shorthorn cattle a few years before I was born, so I have always been around the cattle industry. In fourth grade, I started showing cattle and competing in livestock judging. As I got older and heavily involved in 4-H and FFA, I realized I wanted to carry my love for agriculture into my education and career.

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

Jana: Upon graduation, I will attain a master’s degree in agricultural communications. Afterward, I plan on pursuing a career in communications and outreach for a livestock or cattle industry organization. I look forward to starting my own beef cattle herd as well.

“The genuine community we have in the cattle industry is so special. God has blessed me with so many incredible friends, supporters, and mentors along this journey...”

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment to date?

Jana: In May, I will have completed my bachelor’s degree (woohoo)! The Herbert College of Agriculture has been home to me for the past four years. I have been provided with so much knowledge, growth, and opportunities here. It is truly bittersweet to know my time at UT is almost done; however, I know that God has amazing plans for the next chapter.

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

Jana: The genuine community we have in the cattle industry is so special. God has blessed me with so manyincredible friends, supporters, and mentors along this journey. The fact that this community gets to work together to make a difference in our industry is just inspiring.

What did it mean to you to be selected as the 2023 Tennessee Cattlemen’s A ssociation Outstanding Youth Award winner?

Jana: It is encouraging to know that TCA is supportive of my efforts in agriculture. The cattle industry has played such a significant role in my life, so it is truly an honor to receive this award.

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

Jana: TCA has provided me with countless opportunities to learn more about agriculture. Traveling to Capitol Hill, delivering beef to food banks. and competing in livestock quiz bowls are just some of the ways TCA has allowed me to grow as a young cattle producer. Thank you, TCA, for your dedication to developing youth to secure the future of the cattle industry.

Tell us about yourself and your operation.

Allie: I am currently a senior and will graduate in May from Daniel Boone High School in Gray, Tenn. I am very involved in the Daniel Boone FFA Chapter, serving my 2nd year as the President. I have competed in numerous Career and Leadership Development Events and received my State Degree at the 96th Tennessee FFA State Convention in March. I also had the privilege of being an Eastern Region FFA Officer this year. I am a member of Washington County 4-H and have been initiated into the Honor Club, All Stars, and received Vol State recognition at the 100th 4-H Round Up in July 2023. I am currently serving as the President of the Appalachian Fair Youth Board and Tennessee Junior Hereford Association. I am an active member of Wayland Free Will Baptist Church. My family currently runs a small cow/calf operation located in Washington County. I have enjoyed showing Hereford cattle throughout high school. I assist in my family’s hay operation and with our old-time apple butter making.

How did you get involved in the cattle industry?

Allie: My first agricultural experience was at six years old when I got my first Holstein bottle calves. My dad would feed early in the morning, and my mom and I would feed in the evening (until I took charge and told my mom to just “stay in the house”). Next, I joined 4-H and began raising poultry. In 2019, I became interested in show cattle. I stepped into the show ring for the first time in August 2019 to show for a friend/mentor. In 2020, I purchased my first registered Hereford heifers and began my show career. In 2021, I was able to expand my herd when I was awarded the Farm Credit Mid-America / TCA Youth Beef Heifer Initiative Scholarship. Over the past four years, I have been blessed to exhibit my Herefords at over 50 events on the county, regional, state, and national levels. There is value in competition; but I have learned about responsibility, community, and morals. In addition to cattle shows, during this time, I joined FFA and began my Supervised Agricultural Experience in Beef Production and reached the peak in my 4-H career by winning the Senior Level II Beef Portfolio at the Centennial 4-H Roundup in July 2023.

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

Allie: I plan to further my education in Agricultural Business starting this fall. Showing cattle, taking agricultural classes, being active in 4-H and FFA, and becoming more involved in agriculture overall have made me realize two things—1) That my heart is truly in the agriculture industry and 2) That agriculture touches every part of our daily lives. As much as FFA has influenced my career decisions, so has showing cattle and my family’s beef operation. I plan to stay involved in the industry by staying active in the Washington County Cattleman’s Association and Washington County Young Farmers and Ranchers. I plan to take my operation to the next level by growing my herd of registered Hereford cattle, raising high-quality cattle with the best genetics, and working with other well-respected Hereford breeders. I look forward to my future involvement in the cattle and agriculture industries.

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment to date?

Allie: I am very proud of winning senior beef showmanship in 2023 at MY fair – the Appalachian Fair in Gray, Tenn! The livestock shows at the Appalachian Fair are a big deal. To be selected amongst a tremendous group of showmen, was truly rewarding. By winning showmanship, I received multiple awards and prizes, and a scholarship. This was a huge accomplishment for me. The judge’s words that day resonated well with me. She said, “I enjoy evaluating showmanship. In showmanship, it doesn’t matter if you have a stockyard calf or a calf that’s never lost a show. Showmanship is about you showing off your project to the best of your ability.”

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

Allie: My favorite part of the cattle industry is the people! I have met some of my closest friends and mentors through this industry. In addition to the greatest people, I have been given multiple opportunities to travel (with those great people) to cattle shows, leadership conferences, and seminars. A highlight was attending the National Junior Hereford Association’s Faces of Leadership Conference in Billings, Montana. The friendships I have formed will last a lifetime. I am so grateful to be involved in such a rewarding industry.

What did it mean to you to be selected as the 2023 Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Outstanding Youth Award winner?

Allie: I was honored, and humbled, to receive the 2023 TCA Outstanding Youth Award. It is a great feeling to be recognized for my involvement in the cattle and agriculture industries, leadership roles, and community service. I was overjoyed to see the slideshow at the annual TCA Youth Awards Banquet of my “Ag Story”. Thank you, TCA and TCA Board Members, for selecting me. Also, thank you to Oakdale Farms for sponsoring the trophy buckle. I wear my belt buckle with pride.

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

Allie: The Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association and Tennessee Cattlemen’s Youth Association have presented me with so many awesome opportunities since I joined in 2020. Being a recipient of the Farm Credit Mid-America / TCA Youth Beef Heifer Initiative Scholarship was a turning point in my cattle industry involvement. It gave me the ability to purchase a heifer to improve my herd. Serving as a 2022 TCA Youth Ambassador was a life-changing experience. As a Youth Ambassador, I had the opportunity to attend and assist at several events across the state including Tennessee Ag Day on the Hill in Nashville, Tennessee Beef Agribition, State Beef Expo, TCA’s Convention and Trade Show, and TCA Board Meetings. We even traveled to College Station, Texas to attend the Youth Beef Industry Congress where we had the opportunity to visit ST Genetics, Collier Farms, and 44 Farms. We toured Texas A&M and heard some outstanding speakers within the cattle industry. My year as a TCA Youth Ambassador was unforgettable. I encourage all youth (age 16+) to apply to become a TCA Youth Ambassador. And, lastly, I want to express my appreciation to Miss Melinda Perkins, TCA Director of Youth Programs & Outreach, for her direction, support, and encouragement!

Phone: 615-478-4483

billymjackson@aol.com

(615) 374-7990

865-617-2635

Tennessee News

Upcoming Beef Improvement Federation Symposium Explained

By Dr. Troy Rowan

The Beef Improvement Federation is a collaborative organization comprising producers, breed associations, academic researchers, extension, and other members of allied industry. The organization was founded by influential breeders in 1968 and has led efforts to harmonize data collection and genetic evaluation techniques since its inception. Each year, BIF hosts a symposium at rotating locations in the US or Canada. This event brings together almost 500 people from around the world to learn about the most relevant developments in the industry.

We are lucky that this year’s event will be held in Knoxville, TN, from June 10th to 13th. This is the first time that BIF has ever been held in Tennessee, so we are excited to showcase the cattle and people that make our state’s industry so special. We have themed this year’s symposium, “Breeding a more efficient and adapted cow.” Talks throughout the three days of the conference and stops on the tour will all focus on the importance of maternal longevity and productivity in our herds.

BIF kicks off Monday with a “Young Producer Symposium,” followed by an opening reception and a program on leveraging genetics and management to add profit to feeder cattle. Tuesday and Wednesday are packed with cutting edge information on new genetic selection tools from academic and industry groups around the world. Mornings consist of large general sessions, followed by afternoon breakout sessions that have a range of applied to scientific talks. Tuesday night’s event off site features BIF’s first ever “Shark Tank” competition, where graduate students pitch their innovative ideas surrounding genetic improvement programs. Finally, Thursday consists of an optional tour of progressive East Tennessee beef cattle operations that are implementing cutting-edge technologies and practices.

The BIF Annual Symposium is considered a “must attend” for many people across the beef industry. Having it in Tennessee offers our producers an incredible opportunity to interact some of the best cattle breeders from around the world. Attendees will walk away with a wealth of information and an expanded network across all sectors of the beef industry.

Register at www.beefimprovement.org

Mid Tn Hereford