Members of the Greene County Cattlemen’s Association were very pleased with the response to the changes in their annual banquet held Saturday night, Feb. 21. With about 230 in attendance at the new location, Clover Hall on the Greene County Fairgrounds, the beef producers raised $17,725 in the auction of the 2015 Greene County Fair trophies, pies and services.
President Pat Fields (pictured) introduced officers and directors including Tom Lawton, vice president, Roger Rowles, treasurer, and directors Tom Heun, Mike Holden, Steve Kennedy, Doug Lawton, Mike Ostendorf, Justin Robbins, Dave Tipton and Mick Towers.
Special recognition was given to Towers for serving many years as president of the group.
A ribeye dinner will all the trimmings was served by the Lidderdale Country Store after Justine Stevenson (pictured), director of government relations for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association updated the group on lobbying efforts.
The highlight of the evening was the auction of the fair trophies with the sale cried by Jon Schaben of Dunlap Livestock Auction, Terry Laughery of Laughery Auction Service and Dick St Clair of St Clair Hay and Cattle.
The grand champion 4-H market beef trophy sold to Muir Embroider for $500. Reserve champion went to Peoples Trust and Savings Bank for the same amount.
Hamilton Redi Mix won the traveling trophy for purchasing $1,425 in trophies and other items. Johnny Hamilton (pictured, right) bid $500 for the champion Greene County raised steer and $200 for a triple berry pie baked in a commemorative pie dish by Brenda Thorp. Fields (left) presented the trophy.
The champion Angus breeding heifer brought $550 from a group of local Angus producers. Stine Seed paid $500 for the senior showmanship trophy.
A framed print brought the highest amount of the night – $1,000. Another print sold for $450. A silent auction also raised funds for the organization but that total was not announced.
Several items were designated for the scholarship fund. Abby Bravard, a 2014 Greene County HS graduate, was recognized as the scholarship winner. A change in the Cattlemen’s scholarship program was announced. Going forward, children of all association members are eligible to apply for scholarships, regardless of whether the member actually raises cattle.
Highlights noted by the Cattlemen in the past year included:
- Worked at the Beef Quarters at the Iowa State Fair
- Donated and cooked for Relay for Life
- Cooked at several meetings and functions
- Supported the Iowa 4-H Foundation
- Donated to Paton-Churdan and Greene County’s Post Prom Parties
- Helped with 4-H Beef weigh-ins, show and sale
- Donated to the 4-H Clover Cafe and at the Greene County Fair
- Donated and grilled hamburgers for students at the Greene County High School
- Provided a scholarship to a senior beef exhibitor
- Purchased ear tags for 4-H beef exhibitors and programs for beef show
- Sponsored Guthrie/Greene County Cattlemen Feedlot and Cow/Calf Tour to Nebraska and Northwest Iowa
~The Scranton Journal
