More than 40 bidders combined to help the Greene County Cattlemen’s Association raise a record $17,975 at the group’s annual banquet and trophy auction Saturday, March 15, at the Elks lodge in Jefferson.
The auction followed a rib-eye steak dinner prepared and served by the Jefferson Does. Auctioneers Gary Rupiper, Terry Laughery and Will Epperly coaxed bids for 39 trophies for 4-H beef project exhibitors at this summer’s Greene County Fair, and another dozen or so items ranging from framed art to stalk bales. Three pies baked and donated by Brenda Thorpe brought in a total of $550.
High bid on a trophy was $625 from Hamilton Redi-Mix for the grand champion market beef trophy. That was the first item auctioned.
Eason Feedlot took home the Cattlemen’s Association traveling trophy for contributing the most via auction bids with a bid total of $1,475.
A highlight of the evening was the auction of five identical organizer notebooks containing a Bomgaar’s gift card; four held $30 gift cards, and one held a $480 gift card. The organizers were kept unopened until the last one was auctioned. Austin and Kayleigh Schaben were the lucky purchasers of the lucrative notebook.
About 100 persons attended the dinner and auction. Mike Holden served as emcee. Tom Hiler of Rockwell City, District 8 representative on the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association board, made brief comments.
Randy Hughes, Guthrie County Cattlemen’s Association president, explained a joint project of the Guthrie and Greene associations. He said that after years of raising funds to promote beef and for scholarships, the associations looked for a way to provide something of benefit to members. They have planned a learning tour of Nebraska and South Dakota July 31-Aug. 2. Stops on the tour will include visits with experts on cow-calf, fat cattle/feeder cattle, and hoop systems. The associations will cover all expenses, including lodging, with participants paying only $50 to cover the cost of the charter bus.
Cattlemen interested in the tour should contact board member Tom Huen before May 31.
The Greene County Cattlemen’s Association reported the following activities for 2013:
- Worked at Beef Quarters at the Iowa State Fair
- Supported the Iowa 4-H Foundation
- Greene County Fair assistance- 4-H weigh-ins, beef show and sale, donation to the Clover Café food stand, and donated and grilled burgers at the fair
- Donated to Greene County Extension meetings
- Cooked for several local bank functions
- Grilled rib-eyes for steak sandwiches at the Bell Tower Festival
- Grilled hamburgers for students in all Greene County school systems and donated to the Greene County and Paton-Churdan after prom parties
- Donated and grilled for Greene County Medical Center
- Grilled for RVTV Cy-Hawk tailgate party in Jefferson
- Provided seven $250 scholarships for high school seniors; recipients were Brittany Gunn, Elizabeth Gunn, Levi Larson, Makayla Minnehan, Sheila Niles, Justin Ostrander and Reed Ostrander
- Donated to South Dakota Cattlemen storm relief fund
