No Show! Angus were shown this month but not in South Carolina. The South Carolina Junior advisors decided there were not enough entries to warrant a show. One of the advisors, Lydia Yon sent out an email explaining the need for the change, “It is the opinion of the advisors that the cost to put on this event would not be justified this year for the number of entries received to date. “ Some reasons for fewer juniors showing may be: Juniors were involved in the end of year events, such as graduation and SAT tests. Farm life is diminishing in South Carolina as well as the nation. Family farms are disappearing weakening agricultural events such as shows and 4-H.
Mrs. Evelyn Edmunds was one of the founders of the South Carolina Junior Angus said, “This is the first time in the history of the South Carolina Junior Angus that we have not had a state junior show.”
The Southern National in Perry, Georgia was another Angus event on the same date, June 5 that drew some South Carolinians to compete. Breann Steadman from Cedar Creek Angus Farm in Donalds, SC won Early Summer Champion and Reserve Grand Champion with Gamble's CJ Forever Lady 6029. In addition Breann won Reserve Junior Champion with Gamble's Lucy 3069. The grandparents Judy and Ted Bourne were along to cheer her to victory.
Winning is not new for Breann Steadman. On the weekend before this show at the Atlantic National in Timonium, MD on May 26-30, Breann won Reserve Early Summer Champion with Gamble's CJ Forever Lady 6029 (June 2009 daughter of Gamble's Hot Rod). Luckily education and school events did not keep Breann away from these shows.
Educational events are not confined to school. Each year cattle producers gather to learn what is new in the cattle business. The South Carolina Cattlemen Convention brought cattle men and women from all over the state to attend informative sessions about the cattle industry. The venue was the Madren Center at Clemson on May 14-15th. The South Carolina Angus Association was represented with a display shared with the American Angus Association. David Gazda the south-eastern field man for the AAA and Angus Productions set up the booth. Frankie Mullikin, vice-president of the SCAA, helped with greeting the cattle producers and giving away the directories.
Many of the Angus producers came to see what’s new. Dr. Curt Lacey from University of Georgia held a session on calf crop management. He suggested selling now. Feed the stockers grass and then retain ownership through finishing. The average consumption of beef is 60 lb. per person, half at home and half in restaurants. He suggested selling spring calves before September at 700-800 pounds at weaning or preconditioning.
Dr. Patty Scharko talked on weaning management. She advised a 45 day preconditioning. Give blackleg at 4 months. Vaccinate the calves one month before weaning with IBR-PL3, BVD, BR5V, killed blackleg, 7 way, pasturella, and worm. Then give a booster one month later.
The highlight of the convention was the Saturday night dinner and speaker. Baxter Black, noted veterinarian and humorist, was the after dinner entertainment. He gave the cattle producers a good laugh or two to help their beef entrées settle down their digestive tracts.
The world can always use a good laugh and some good juniors coming along. Try to involve a youth in agriculture. We need them.
If you have news or $20 dues, please send to SCAA, c/o Windy Bartee, 1717 St. Paul church Road, Clover, SC 29710 or tumblet8@bellsouth.net. TEL: 803-222-7533
