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February  2012, Volume 3, Issue 2           
Florida Well Represented at NCBA Convention

More than 75 FCA members attended the NCBA convention in Nashville, Tennessee February 1-4. The JFCA Quiz Bowl team made up of Caroline Dailey, Samantha Dailey, Ricky Roberts, Christina Routh and Kate Shuffitt placed second nationally. While the JFCA Team Marketing group made up of Jessica Leon, Kevin Guinn and Catie Trammell took first place nationally. FCA President, Don Quincey served on a panel with other cattlemen from the southeast to discuss the current state of the industry that aired on Cattlemen to Cattlemen on RFD-TV. Overall, more than 8,200 cattle producers from around the country attended, up nearly 2,000 attendees from the previous year. Fundraising efforts for the PAC were up as well with over $140,000 raised. Next year's NCBA convention will be held in Tampa, Florida. View more convention highlights here.  

Florida Cattlemen Take to the Capitol 

 

The Florida Cattlemen's Association held its legislative quarterly meeting in Tallahassee, January 17-19.  FCA leadership met with Florida Governor Rick Scott and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.  Cattlemen from across the state visited with their representatives throughout the day on key issues affecting agriculture.  Photos courtesy of Ron O'Connor, Farm Credit.
 

Florida Beef Cattle Short Course

 

Alto and Patricia Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center
May 2-4, 2012
Gainesville, Florida
 

The course addresses issues for beef cattle enterprises at an elevated level of management skill with practical applications for every beef cattle producer, in Florida and shortcoursebeyond. The course focuses on unique challenges facing our beef industry; beef production issues, urban growth, global competition, changing consumer demands, and economic and environmental sustainability. Every year we lead the industry covering subject areas and topics prior to those issues becoming management concerns. Participants get to hear contrasting, alternative, and complimentary ideas about the beef cattle enterprise. For more information and registration details click here. 

Funding Available for Wetland Protection and Habitat Improvement

   

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist announced a funding opportunity for wetland protection, restoration and enhancement activities on eligible lands in Florida. Funding comes through the agency's Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP), withNRCS up to $17 million available nationwide.
WREP is a voluntary conservation program that works through partnership agreements with states, nongovernmental organizations and tribes, as defined in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Partnership proposals for WREP projects are due by Friday, February 10, 2012. To read more click here. 

Become a Lifesaver, Get Swabbed


Bone Marrow Donor Drive

Saturday, February 11, 2012
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Plant City, FL


Gale Williams (wife of Fred Williams, Purina Mills, Land O'Lakes) began her battle against cancer in 1987 and now, after over 20 years of fighting for her life, she's been told that her best chance of watching her granddaughters grow up is to receive a bone marrow transplant. Unfortunately, Gale does not have a match within her family, leaving her chance at life dependent on the good will of strangers.  Someone in America is diagnosed with a form of blood cancer every 4 minutes. Could you be a match? The possibility of saving a life is as easy as swabbing the inside of one's cheek. For more details and information  click here. 

Winter Forages for Florida Featuring Triticale 


Triple G Dairy, Highlands County, FL

February 24, 2012
 
  • Overview of winter forage systems at Triple G Dairy, Highlands county
  • Discussions on winter forage production, quality and nutrient manageIFASment.
  • Tour the triticale experimental breeding lines and other cool season forage varieties adapted to Florida.
  • Blended forages Rye-Ryegrass and Triticale-Ryegrass
  • Two planting dates
  • Side by side comparisons 17 varieties

For more details and information click here. 

News and Noteworthy

  

  • 2012 Ranch Rodeo Schedule Posted!
    The 2012 regional qualifying ranch rodeo schedule has been posted.  So far, fifteen regional rodeos 
    have been approved and placed on the calendar.   Rodeos will be held in Bartow, Tampa, and La Belle in February. Winning teams from these qualifying rodeos will be invited to compete at the Statewide Ranch Rodeo Finals scheduled for September 28-29th, 2012 in Kissimmee. Find more information online. 
  • FCA Sweetheart Information                                        The deadline for counties to submit their letters of intent for the FCA sweetheart contest is March 1, 2012. The form is to be mailed or faxed to the FCA office. Interested in sponsoring the sweetheart contest, click here. 
  • Young Cattlemen Tour                                               County Presidents, remember to get your Young Cattlemen Tour Applications in.  They are due February 15.  The tour will be held mid-April.  You can get the application here. 
  • FCA Secretary Ned Waters featured in The Ledger.  Great work Ned!  Special thanks to the FCA Foundation for supporting this project. 
  • The FCA Foundation appointed Bo Hobby Ranch Rodeo Chair.  Special thanks to Wade Grigsby for his previous service in that role. Matt Tavrides will serve as a ranch rodeo ambassador for the Foundation, Emily Hobby will continue her role as Silent Auction chair.  The Foundation welcomes new board member and past FCA President Kay Richardson.  And, with new bylaw changes, welcomes Ned Waters, Henry Kempfer, Eric Jacobsen and Wes Williamson.  
  • Personal and Business Planning for Cattlemen        The next planning session will be Thursday, June 21 in Marco.  Get details. 
  • Jim and Renee' Strickland hosted 48 French Farmers at their ranch in January.  They discussed steroids, antibiotics, BSE and trade.  The group was made up of Limousin, Charolais and dairymen.  Many commented it was the best stop of their trip. 

Producer Support of The Beef Checkoff at 18-Year High


The overwhelming majority of beef and dairy producers say their beef checkoff has value for them in many ways:

Four in five producers say the beef checkoff influences beef demand and is of value to them even in a weak economy.
Three in four producers say the beef checkoff contributes to the profitability of their operations, is there for them in a crisis and represents their interests.
Two in three beef producers believe the checkoff is well managed.
These are findings from a nationwide survey of 1,200 beef and dairy producers conducted by the independent firm Aspen Media & Market Research in late December 2011 and early January 2012. These findings may also help to explain why the beef checkoff approval level is at 76 percent - the highest level in 18 years.  Read More.


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In This Issue
NCBA Convention Highlights
Cattlemen Take to the Capitol
Florida Beef Cattle Short Course
Funding Available for Wetland Protection and Habitat Improvement
Get Swabbed
Winter Forages for Florida featuring Triticale
News and Noteworthy
Upcoming FCA Events  

             

  

Tampa, FL
Feb. 9-20

 

 UF Water Institute Symposium  

February 15-16 

 

 FCA Annual Convention and Allied Trade Show  

June 18-22 

 

 NCBA Summer Conference  

July 25-28 

 

2012 Florida Ranch Rodeo State Finals & Heritage Festival

September 28 - 29, 2012 

 

Magazine Ad Deadlines

5th of each month

 

 

For more events check the FCA Calendar   

 

 

Florida Cattlemen's Association

407-846-6221

[email protected] 

PO Box 421929
Kissimmee, FL 34742

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Executive Vice President
Jim Handley

President 

Don Quincey



President Elect  

Woody Larson

First Vice President  

Wes Williamson

Second Vice President  

Henry Kempfer

Treasurer  

Erik Jacobsen

Secretary
Ned Waters

  

 

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Florida Beef Council Page on Facebook



 

 

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Florida Ranch Rodeo Page on Facebook



 

 

February Deals from PowerPurchasing

          

 

Here are the latest saving advantages through PowerPurchasing for FCA Members. 

To Join, Click Here

To View Flyer, Click Here


JFCA Spring Field Day

          

 

The JFCA Spring Field Day will be held at Williamson Ranch in Okeechobee on March 31, 2012 starting at 10 a.m.  Lunch will be provided.