Cumberland Beef Day scheduled for next Thursday
The eighth annual Cumberland Beef Day will be held on April 13, at the White County Fair Complex in Sparta, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
The event will again be co-sponsored by the White/Van Buren Cattlemen?s Association, University of Tennessee Extension, and area Extension Agents.
The 2006 Cumberland Beef Day?s theme will be Competing in a Global Cattle Economy, and will feature Troy Applehans of Cattle-Fax from Centennial, Colorado who will discuss ?Perspectives on the Effects of Globalization on Beef Production and Marketing in the US.?
Troy Applehans is a native of Colorado and a graduate of Oklahoma State University. He is well-versed in the cattle business and has worked extensively with the cow/calf and seedstock segments of the industry. His primary responsibility with Cattle-Fax is serving as a market analyst working with cow/calf and stocker operations.
Other topics will include: Comments on The Tennessee Beef Industry, Ken Givens, Commissioner of Agriculture; Using EID to Expand Opportunities ? Dr Emmit Rawls, UT; Trace-back and Related Issues on EID ? Dr Charles Hatcher, TN Department of Ag; Argentina, Our Growing Competitor – Dr. David Kirkpatrick, UT. In addition to these talks, there will be demonstrations on new innovations, practical applications, and answers to your concerns on EID.
Kevin Thompson, TN Livestock Producers, will conduct a Beef Cow-Calf Herd Evaluation. Kevin will use heifers and cows from a local herd to demonstrate what he looks for as he conducts an evaluation and how he determines the needs for improving the productivity of that herd. This program will assist anyone who wants to make progress in their breeding program, but is perfect for cattle producers participating in the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program.
The beef day will also feature an extensive trade show of products, equipment, services and beef cattle. A sponsored meal will be provided at noon.
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FARMERS MARKET NOW OPEN ON SATURDAY MORNINGS
The Farmers Market opened this past Saturday and they had several vendors, good food to eat and a mighty pretty day for the shoppers and the farmers.
Now, I know it?s early but we have vendors that have bedding plants for your garden and flower beds, shrubs and trees for your yard and maybe even some early spring onions and greens available. The market will be open Saturdays only until Wednesday May 3. After this date the market will be open Wednesday and Saturdays until the first Friday in June. After June 2, the market will be open Saturday, Wednesday mornings and Friday afternoons until late fall. The market building is located on the same site as weve had for the past 17 years, the city parking lot located behind 1st National Bank downtown. You can shop at your leisure in the shade and out of the rain. The market facility is the result of funding and cooperation between the local market association, the City of McMinnville, the USDA, and the Warren County Commission.
We have 20 spaces reserved for full season vendors and the remaining spaces are available on a first come, first served basis throughout the market season. If you havent been by the market this Saturday morning would be a good opportunity to see the facility and find those flowers and other plants that you want to get planted.
If you are interested in selling produce at the market give us a call here at the Extension office (473-8484) for the full details on association membership or catch Mary Cantell, the market manager, at the market.