The Cedar County Cattlemen members met on Aug. 2, at the Ray H. Zumwalt Expo Center in Stockton. Don Boultinghouse called the meeting to order. There were 36 members and guests present. The invocation was given by Don Levi and the members were dismissed to dinner. The meal was catered by Farm Raised Blessings, Justin and Sarah Bock, and consisted of prime rib, green beans, cheesy potatoes, salad, a dinner roll, tea and lemonade. The desserts were provided by the members. After dinner, the business portion of the meeting was conducted.

The cattlemen had a busy summer supporting the local youth, grilling and serving beef.

On June 22, during the Cedar County Youth Fair (CCYF) in Stockton, the cattlemen provided the exhibitor dinner, serving hamburgers and hotdogs to 100 people. Thank you to those who helped with this event: Billy Bruce, Kala Kenney, Megan Richner, Tammy Mann, Tom Bryant, Jeff Parrish, Don Boultinghouse.

They supported the CCYF livestock auction by purchasing Libby Toliver’s grand champion steer and giving add-on money to each beef exhibitor in the sale.

On June 29, the cattlemen fired up the grill to serve 85 ribeye steak sandwiches at a fellow member’s farm auction. Thank you Tom Bryant, Jeff and Lisha Stacy, Shannon and Miranda Lowrey and Jeff Parrish for helping run the concession stand.

On July 11, during the Land O’ Lakes Youth Fair (LOLYF) in El Dorado Springs, the cattlemen served over 120 people during the exhibitor dinner. Thank you Billy and Kalena Bruce, Peggy Kenney, Megan Richner, Kala Kenney, Shannon and Miranda Lowrey, Claire Silvers and Jay Martin for helping grill and serve.

They again, supported the LOLYF livestock auction by purchasing Grady Crews reserve champion market heifer and Avery Keith’s steer.

Upcoming Events

Once again, the cattlemen will partner with the Cedar County Farm Bureau to sell ribeye steaks and steak sandwiches during the Stockton Black Walnut Festival, Sept. 27-29. They will be selling ribeye steak sandwiches on Thursday and Friday and offering a steak dinner special on Saturday. Volunteers are needed each day. If you are willing to work a shift, please contact Megan Richner at meganrichner@gmail.com or 417-496-1623.Proceeds go to support the local youth and beef promotional efforts.

The next membership meeting will be held on Oct. 4 at the Land O’ Lakes Youth Fairgrounds in EL Dorado Springs at 7:00 p.m. Officers and board members will be elected. Tom Bryant announced he would not be seeking reelection for his state director position. If you are interested in serving, please contact a current board member.

After the business portion of the meeting the floor was turned over to the local candidates on the August ballot and the meeting sponsor.

Candidates, Peggy Kenney, running for county treasurer, and Heather York, running for county clerk, briefly addressed the members. They both stressed the value of agriculture to Cedar County.

Meeting sponsor and speaker for the evening was Adam O’ Riley, with O’ Riley Livestock, Inc. from Lockwood, Mo. He shared information about his hay grinding, hay hauling, and hay brokerage services.

BEEF FOR DINNER – Claire Silvers, Miranda Lowrey, Peggy Kenney, Megan Richner, Jay Martin and Kala Kenney serve hamburgers and sides to exhibitors and their families during the Land O’ Lakes Youth Fair.