Monday, February 24, 2014
Cattlemen's Association Holds Annual Meeting
Members of the Lawrence/Wayne County Cattlemen's Association and their families gathered on February, 22nd for their annual meeting.
Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association Office Manager Rheba Capps kicked the meeting off singing the National Anthem and then members and their families were treated to a wonderful meal of roast beef and all the trimming prepared by the Lawrence County High School Cafeteria Staff.
Approximately 200 people were in attendance to hear important issues affecting the cattle industry.
Members were greeted at the door by members of the Lawrence County 4-H Livestock Club and the Lawrence County FFA Members as they assisted the board members with registration.
The Lawrence County FFA Chapter sponsored a silent auction from items that were donated to them by Tractor Supply Company.
The educational part of the meeting was kicked off by UT Extension Veterinarian, Dr. Lew Strickland. He discussed some cattle diseases including BVD and Trichomoniasis. The members then heard updates from TDA, UT Extension, TCA, and NCBA.
Each year the highlight of the evening is when the association recognizes a "Cattlemen of the Year". This year the board decided to present this recognition to longtime Lawrence County Beef Producer and Beefmaster Breeder, Robert Hudson. Kenny Springer presented this award and he said this of Robert Hudson, “Hudson Beefmaster started out with Polled Hereford Cattle.
Bobby had read a lot about the Beefmaster Breed and the Foundation Breeder Tom Lasater. Eventually, Bobby purchased his first Beefmasters in the summer of 1972 making him one of the first Beefmaster Breeders in Tennessee and the southeast region.
After a visit to the Lasater Ranch in Colorado, he purchased his first Beefmaster Foundation Herd Bull. Since then Bobby has built a reputation of raising outstanding Beefmaster Herd Bulls.
His main source of advertisement was in the Farm Bureau Newspaper and his trademark was his money back guarantee to customers if they did not like the first calf crop. In over 40 years of selling bulls, Bobby only had to take back one bull.
There were times when the farm had over 100 cows. Today Bobby has made deep cuts in the herd size, but he still has a few heifers and bulls on farm to feed and care for.
Another highlight of the evening is when the youth scholarship winners are announced. Each year the Lawrence/Wayne County Cattlemen’s Association awards scholarships to children or grandchildren of members who plan to attend college and major in agriculture or related field.
The 2014 winner of the Lawrence/Wayne County Cattlemen's Association Scholarship was Summertown resident, Olivia Kilburn. The 2013 winners, Ashley McDougal, and Tori Bryant were presented their $500 scholarships.
The meeting concluded with the annual knife auction and presentation of door prizes.
Sponsors of the meeting were Wayne County Bank, Bank of Waynesboro, Peoples Bank, and Farm Credit Services.
