~courtesy of The Scranton Journal
Almost 200 people celebrated the beef industry at the annual Greene County Cattlemen’s Association banquet and trophy auction held Saturday night in Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds in Jefferson. The bidders were generous in raising almost $25,000 for the Cattlemen to use for scholarships, grilling and the promotion of beef.
Hamilton Redi-Mix reclaimed the traveling trophy awarded to the business who contributes the largest amount of money during the auction. Bob and Becci Hamilton represented the firm and bid $2,000 for several trophies.
Justin Robbins is president and membership coordinator of the group. Brandon Muir is vice president; Noah Juergensen, secretary/treasurer; Ben Gannon, grilling contact and Mike Klauer, social media manager. Additional directors are Bob Bills, Patrick Minnehan, Bill Fields, Tanner Lawton, Andrew Michaelson and Isaac Hoskins.
Two long-time members retired from the board. Tom Lawton was presented with a plaque by Robbins. Mike Holden was not present at the banquet but will receive a similar award.
Tim Robbins gave the invocation prior to the meal which featured ribeye steaks as well as catered side dishes. Members of the Greene County High School FFA chapter assisted in clearing tables and other chores throughout the evening.
The 2021 scholarship winners were recognized. They included Annie Twillie, Ashlyn Frederick, Chance Peterson, Chloe Berns, Clay Peters, Danielle Hoyle, Elizabeth Allen, Hannah Bundt, Joe Davis, Kaleb Hoyle, Karissa Stephenson, Kayla Muir, Lily Muir, Maggie St Clair, Makala Kafer, Trent Custer, Victoria Peterson and Zach Burbank.
Three auctioneers cried the sale of the trophies. Dan Laughery and Cole Stetzel of Guthrie Livestock Auction in Guthrie Center were joined by Jon Schaben of Dunlap Livestock Auction in urging buyers to “bid just one more time”.
Hamilton Redi-Mix paid $1,100 for the Grand Champion 4-H Market Animal trophy. Greene County Ag bid $1,000 for the Second Overall Champion 4-H Market Animal trophy. Most trophies brought between $400 – $700 each.
The unofficial total raised through the auction was $24,710.
Also auctioned were half a beef to be processed at Yetter donated by Fitzpatrick Cattle; half a hog donated by Juergensen Brothers and half a lamb donated by Dr Steve and Julie Karber.
A charitable auction was held at the conclusion of the evening. A beef loin was sold over and over again, for a total of 18 times, with the proceeds to be donated to the McDonald / Oakes families to help with medical and other expenses. That sale netted $7,100.
The Cattlemen reported their 2021 activities which included grilling at the Bell Tower Festival, Pat’s Sliders for BTF parade, Beef Show Day at Greene County Fair, burgers for lunch at Greene County and Paton-Churdan Schools, Hot August Nights, Rippey sesquicentennial celebration, Farm Bureau farm tour, Greene County Fair BBQ, Scranton fundraiser, Brandon Turner fundraiser, Churdan Library, the Greene County farmers market, the Greene County elementary, and several private parties.
Donations were given to: ICA Carcass Challenge, FFA jackets for the sixth year, Greene County ARC, Greene County Clover Cafe, grilling proceeds donated to Greene County 4-H Foundation, Beef Show trophies and banners, Chamber of Commerce, Beef Snacks for state wrestlers, Beef Sticks for State Soccer Team, T-shirts for Governor Steer Show (Fitzpatrick), 4-H cattle tags, bedding for cattle barn, Beef Certificates during Beef Month, Hats and Gloves for all fourth grade students at Greene County and P-C Greene County Fair Donation, scholarships for Beef Exhibitors and applicant winners.
The Cattlemen donated $24,723 in 2021.
Landus and Thompson-Stracke were thanked for their sponsorship of the event. Other donors included Muir Embroidery and Sports Shop, Brenda Thorp, and Shane Olson – Olson Iron Works.
