Illinois Beef Association ramps up programming this winter

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Beef Association staff have long been the premier planners of cattlemen’s meetings across Illinois. This November and December will prove no different.

Illinois Beef Foundation Gala & Fundraiser

Beginning Nov. 21, winter programs are set to kick off with a celebratory gala and fundraiser to commemorate 10 years of the Illinois Beef Foundation Inc.

The Illinois Beef Foundation purpose is to engage in educational, promotional and charitable activities dedicated to the improvement of beef production and the social and financial advancement of beef producers in Illinois. The foundation’s primary purpose is to award college scholarships.

The Illinois Beef Foundation Cattlemen’s Gala & Fundraiser will be a night of entertainment from the band Brushville and include a Prime Rib dinner, live auction for further fundraising and more.

If you want a night to wear your fanciest cowboy and cowgirl getup, call the IBA office at 217-787-4280 to purchase your tickets.

Beef Quality Assurance

Every December, cattlemen from all over Illinois gather to renew their Beef Quality Assurance certificates at one of IBA’s hosted BQA workshops.

With BQA certificates expiring every three years, IBA seeks to provide producers with an easy avenue for renewal.

“The Illinois BQA program is a proven education system that teaches sensible management practices that help improve the quality and safety of beef,” said Travis Meteer, the University of Illinois Extension beef specialist and state BQA coordinator.

“It clearly demonstrates how a producer’s actions on the farm have a huge impact on the final beef product.”

BQA workshops are free for IBA members and $20 for non-members. Every in-person training course begins at 6 p.m. and includes a meal and training materials.

• Dec. 2: Elizabeth Community Center, Elizabeth.

• Dec. 2: Kountry Kitchen, Teutopolis.

• Dec. 4: Reel Livestock Center, Congerville.

• Dec. 4: Greenville Livestock Center, Greenville.

• Dec. 5: DeKalb County Farm Bureau, Sycamore — in conjunction with Cattlemen Connect Education Series.

• Dec. 10: Fairview Sale Barn, Fairview.

Attendees should pre-register online at www.illinoisbeef.com or call the IBA Office at 217- 787-4280.

Cattlemen Connect Education Series

To spread cattlemen education further across the state every year, the Cattlemen Connect Education Series was created in 2022.

The next meeting with be Dec. 5 at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau and will be held in conjunction with a BQA workshop. The day will include a farm visit with a live cattle demonstration.

• 9 to 9:30 a.m.: BQA Registration.

• 9:30 to 11 a.m.: BQA Training — Spanish and English course available.

• 11a.m. to noon: Lunch and CCES Registration.

• Noon to 1p.m.: Risk Management in a Volatile Market.

• 1 to 1:30 p.m.: Illinois Packer Capacity Update.

• 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Carcass Value Determination Session — travel to Larson Farms Partnership, Maple Park.

• 3 to 4:30 p.m.: Live Cattle Evaluation and Timely Marketing Demonstration.

Go to www.illinoisbeef.com or call 217-787-4280 to register.