Farm Facts for Fairfield County

for November 9, 2001; also seen on Fridays in the Lancaster Eagle Gazette

"The future is now!" That's a statement that is made frequently, but, often times the meaning is confusing. However, when it's made regarding the beef cattle industry - and especially the cow/calf segment - the definition should be loud and clear. Cow numbers are down, Nationally the past two years have yielded the smallest calf crops in 50 years, and the cyclical nature of this business means high feeder calf prices won't last forever. What's it mean for the cow/calf man? If you're thinking of saving heifers to take advantage of these current opportunities, you may be too late! So, in this business, the "future IS now!"

The Ohio Cattlemen's Association has cooperated with southern Ohio's Pro Beef Alliance to create an opportunity for cattlemen to capture a greater share of this market next year. Their Breeding Female Sale on December 1 at Union Stock Yards in Hillsboro will feature 36 bred yearling heifers, 6 fall yearlings, 3 fall calving cows with heifer calves at side, 46 cows 2-7 years of age including 12 with calves at side that will sell as a separate lot, and 6 other spring heifer calves. The consignments are predominately Angus and Angus base, with some Simmental, Limousin, Maine Anjou, and crosses of all. Nearly a dozen progressive Ohio breeders are making these offerings which are sired by, or carry the service of bulls with know EPDs and proven performance.

The catalogue and complete listing of consignments is listed in the current November/December issue of the Ohio Cattlemen's magazine or you may contact Justin Lahmers (614.873.6736 or jlahmers@ohiobeef.org) to receive a copy. Don't put off for two years what you may be able to realize next year - take a close look at adding bred females to your herd base now while the demand for quality feeder calves remains high.

Fairfield County Pork Queen is Named

Taylor Kenney of Baltimore, has been selected the 2001/2002 Fairfield County Pork Industry Queen. Ms. Kenney will represent pork producers and the pork industry at various parades, promotions and events throughout the coming year.

Ms. Kenney currently attends Liberty Union High School where she is active in FFA, Student Council and volleyball. Through her FFA experience she has won several public speaking awards, Soil Judging awards, her Chapter Degree, and currently serves as her chapter's 2nd Vice-President. Her involvement in 4-H has given her the opportunity to exhibit swine projects at the Fairfield County Fair for the past several years.

Ms. Kenney has been accepted at the University of Cincinnati in the College of Arts and Sciences. She will be attending the University in the fall of 2002 with an interest in communications.

Get Prepared to Lead Tomorrow's Agricultural Business

Are you nearing the time when you will run the family business and questioning whether you can succeed without good employees? Are you questioning the long term implications of the events of September 11 on your business? Do you have a full understanding of utilizing financial records for management decision making? As you prepare assume the responsibility of running the family business, are you questioning if things should continue to be done as "they've always been done?"

If you have doubts or concerns about your confidence in answering the above questions, you will benefit from the upcoming series of workshops entitled, "Preparing to Manage and Lead Tomorrow's Agricultural Business." This series of workshops will be held at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Zanesville, from 9:15 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., beginning on December 5. The first workshop is entitled, "Getting to Know Yourself" and will feature Bernie Ervin, OSU Extension.

Subsequent workshops will be, "Challenging Co-Workers for a Win-Win Work Relationship" - January 9; Using Financial Records for Getting Business Successes" - January 30; "Managing in a Changed World" - February 20; and "Influencing the Decision Making Process and Public Policy" - March 6. The total cost for this series of five workshops is $100 per person. Contact the OSU Extension office for registration materials and more details.

Ohio Fruit & Vegetable Organizations Premiere Web Sites

The Ohio Apple Marketing Program (OAMP), Ohio Fruit Growers Society (OFGS), Ohio Vegetable and Potato Growers Association (OVPGA) and Ohio Vegetable and Small Fruit Research and Development Program (OVSFRDP) have all developed a presence on three coordinated web sites.

OAMP uses www.ohioapples.org that started mid-August and primarily targets consumers. Media, teachers, students, apple growers and apple marketers will also find valuable information. Apple recipes, health and nutrition information, festivals, a grower directory and uses of Ohio's favorite apple varieties are available for consumers. Numerous web links, curriculum ideas and print and use activities are featured for teachers and children. Apple growers and marketers will find complete information about the Ohio Apple Marketing Program on this site.

OFGS uses www.ohiofruit.org and OVPGA uses www.ohiovegetables.org as their association web sites. Fruit and vegetable growers are the primary target audience for these sites. Information about the associations, Today's Grower, Ohio Fruit and Vegetable Growers Congress/Ohio Roadside Marketing Conference, research, legislative and regulatory issues, industry calendars and grower discussion forums are the highlights of these sites. The discussion forums will take a little longer to be operable. Both association sites will have "Members' Only" sections that require a username and password. These will be e-mailed to paid members who have provided such information to the Ohio Fruit and Vegetable Growers office.

OFGS and OVPGA plan to include grower directories for Cardinal and Buckeye members, respectively by Spring 2002. Members should watch their membership renewal notices for details on this new member benefit. Those wanting a model of how this will look should see the grower directory at www.ohioapples.org. Information for media and consumers will also be available on these sites.

OVSFRDP is included in the www.ohiovegetables.org web site. One click on the home page and complete information about this program, including administration and research results are available to the public. Starting with the 2000 research results, this will be where results are made available to growers who fund the program.

For a listing of upcoming programs, meetings and events, visit the AG CALENDAR

Previous Issues of Farm Facts

updated on November 7, 2001 by Stan Smith

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.
TDD # 1 (800) 589-8292 (Ohio only) or (614) 292-1868