-courtesy of The Scranton Journal
Despite the trials and tribulations of 2020, the Greene County Cattlemen’s Association raised about $2,000 more on its 2021 trophy auction held at Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds in Jefferson Saturday evening. A grand total of $22,800 was spent on the trophies, pies and other merchandise by businesses in support of the Cattlemen.
Serving as president is Justin Robbins. Other officers are Tanner Lawton, vice president; Brandon Muir, treasurer; Mike Klauer, secretary, and Ben Gannon, grilling contact. Robbins is also membership coordinator.
Additional directors are Bob Bills, Mike Holden, Patrick Minnehan, Derek Kennedy and Tom Lawton.
More than 110 guests attended, dining on New York strip steaks grilled by Jonathon Marshall, Curtis Carstens, Ben Gannon and Bob Bills. Lidderdale Country Store catered the meal.
Landus sponsored the banquet and gave a presentation to the members as part of the program.
Tanner Lawton provided the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association update.
Terry Laughery of Guthrie Livestock Auction in Guthrie Center and Jon Schaben of Dunlap Livestock Auction cried the sale of the trophies and merchandise. Cole Stetzel of Guthrie Center assisted the Cattlemen in hawking for bids.
The traveling trophy went home with Landus. The Cooperative spent $2,725 on trophies to earn a spot on the plaque. Hamilton Redi Mix was second in the bidding with $1,775 along with Stoline Custom Baling at $1,200; Greene County Agri Service and Thompson Stracke Equipment at $1,025 each.
Brenda Thorp raised $825 with two pies that were auctioned. The triple berry went home with Robbins Land and Cattle for $500 while Diamond Oil Company paid $325 for an apple pie.
Shane Olson of Olson Iron Works contributed Iowa State and University of Iowa metal signs to the auction. Also sold were wall hangings donated by Muir Embroidery and CJ Brown. Brandy Hodges at Agronomic Solutions provided 40 acres of soil type management zone soil sampling for this spring.
Schaben was impressed stating, “the Champion Herd Builder trophy brought more than the Grand Champion Market Steer trophy. That’s where it’s at.”
Most trophies sold for at least $300 with a high of $1,300 for the Champion Herd Builder trophy, which was paid by Landus.
“’Wow’ and ‘thank you’ are the first things that come to my mind when I reflect back on the 2021 Greene County Cattlemen’s banquet,” said Robbins. “With your support we raised close to $30,000 from our auction and generous donations.
“We had a great turn out of members and supporters of our organization. We tried to keep it short and sweet while having time to visit and catch up,” added Robbins. “If you would like to be a member or friend of the industry, please get ahold of myself or any of our board members.”
Special recognition was given to the 2020 scholarship winners of $1,000 each: Cole Betts, Izzy Bravard, Ellie Madson, Paige Heaning and Tieryn Tucker. The Cattlemen also gave out additional scholarships during the 2020 Greene County Fair.
Although many activities were cancelled or postponed during 2020, the Greene County Cattlemen still kept busy. Their list of activities included:
* Supporting Iowa 4-H Foundation
* Provided five scholarships for Greene County applicant winners
* Provided scholarships to 2020 County Fair beef exhibitors
* Provided beef sticks to state qualifying wrestlers
* Grilling: Greene County and Paton-Churdan Schools sack lunch during COVID-19 pandemic; Beef Show Day at the Greene County Fair; Hot August Nights, Max Kersey Auction
* Donations: ICA Carcass Challenge, purchased FFA jackets for the fifth year, Greene County ARC, money toward retinal imager for Greene County Extension, tub tub for load out at Greene County Fair, grilling proceeds donated to the Greene County 4-H Foundation, Greene County Beef Show trophies and banners, 4-H cattle tags, bedding for the cattle barn, ultrasound sponsorship, Beef Certificates during Beef Month, hats and gloves for all fourth graders at Greene County and Paton-Churdan elementaries, advertising for beef.
* Total Donations made by Greene County Cattlemen in 2020: $18,243
