It’s not too late to register for the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show

If you haven’t registered for the 2006 Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade show, don’t worry – it’s not too late! Registration is available on-site at the convention. Registration is open:

 Thursday, Dec. 7 in the lobby of the University Plaza Hotel

Friday, Dec. 8 – until noon – in the lobby of the University Plaza Hotel

Friday, Dec. 8 – after noon – in the lobby of the Springfield Expo Center (across the street from the University Plaza Hotel near downtown Springfield.

Saturday, Dec. 9 – in the lobby of the Springfield Expo Center

For cattle producers, regardless of the size or scope of their farm or ranch, this is an excellent opportunity to help shape the policy of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association for the upcoming year, to take part in a wide range of educational programs, to visit hundreds of trade show exhibits, and to enjoy the food, fun, and fellowship of the Convention.

2006 Cattlemen’s College - a “Don’t Miss” Program

With the most outstanding line-up of speakers ever featured, one of the highlights of the 2006 Convention is sure to be the Cattlemen’s College program. Cattlemen’s College will take cattle producers from “Gate to Plate,” highlighting the latest innovations and changes in the industry, while focusing on how the changes affect your operation and your bottom line. Speakers include: Troy Marshall, BEEF Cow-Calf Weekly and Seedstock Digest; Gary Fike, Certified Angus Beef; Dr. Gary Smith, Colorado State University; and more.

Cattlemen’s College registration is only $100 for the first person and $75 for each additional person from the same household or business. Registration includes a bottle of Dectomax, lunch, and all materials. Student registration is only $25 and is available to current high school and college students. Registration is available on-site when you arrive at the University Plaza Hotel. 

Increased Exhibit Space Creates More Opportunities for Vendors and Attendees

Whether you’re in the market for a product or service, or trying to market your products or service, the Trade Show at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade show is the perfect place for you.

From trailers and chutes to animal health products and feed, our trade show has it all!  Live cattle will be on display, and the entire family will enjoy our wide variety of exhibits, from boots and accessories to gourmet food. Educational seminars and demonstrations will run throughout the trade show, with topics ranging from basic cattle production to cooking. Activities for youth will also take place in the trade show.

Educational Programs and Demonstrations

Programs featured in the trade show include: Cooking demonstrations from local colleges and favorite chefs; Cattle Production 101 – Answers to cattle producers’ top 10 questions; 1031 Exchanges; Landscaping; Women in Production Agriculture; and more! Programs and demonstrations run from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.

Youth Activities

Friday is FFA Day in the Trade Show, featuring a special program, luncheon, and exclusive trade show access for FFA students. Call MCA at (888) 499-9162 for more information on FFA Day. On Saturday, young people can participate in a leadership workshop, quiz bowl competition, and a special activity night!  In addition, many young cattle exhibitors will be recognized during the 2006 Points Sanctioning Awards Ceremony. The Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show offers something for youth of all ages!

Help Develop MCA Policy for 2007

The Annual Meeting of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, held at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, is your opportunity to help shape association policy for 2007. Every member gets one equal vote during the annual meeting, so be sure your voice is heard!  Council meetings – Seedstock, Cow-Calf, and Stocker-Feeder, will take place at 7:00 a.m. Friday, December 8 (immediately before Cattlemen’s College) and now include breakfast, so make reservations for the council meeting of your choice and enjoy lively discussion about your sector of the industry over a great meal!

For more information on the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, call the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association at (888) 499-9162, or visit http://mocattle.com/convention.htm. The website includes links to the University Plaza Hotel, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, and a link to an interactive map, among other things.

Wanted: Ralgro Wheels for “Wheels for Bucks” Program

Program Benefits both MCF and MCA Educational and Junior Programs

From now until December, please make an effort to collect empty Ralgro wheels and Magnum strips from your friends, neighbors, and business associates.  For every 10 empty Ralgro wheels and for every 5 empty magnum strips, we will receive one wheel of Ralgro to be auctioned Friday, Dec. 8 during the Foundation Auction at convention.  This is a wonderful fundraising opportunity and it goes to a great cause – half the proceeds benefit Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation and the other half benefit MCA’s educational and youth/junior programs. Last year, the Wheels for Bucks program raised more than $16,000 for MCF and MCA. 

Wheels and strips can be brought directly to the convention (by Friday afternoon). Both county associations and individual producers are encouraged to participate and help Missouri’s youth!  The Wheels for Bucks program is sponsored by Schering-Plough.  Please take time to thank your local Schering-Plough representative for bringing back a great program!

Missouri Cattlemen’s Update

Willard Retiring as Missouri State Fair Director

After more than 23 years with the organization, Missouri State Fair Director Mel Willard is retiring effective January1, 2007. He began as an electrician in 1984 and has since served as operations manager and assistant director before being named director in 2001.

“I’m at a time in my life where I may want to slow down a little bit; enjoy my family, take it easy and not have all the worries and problems of overseeing an event like this,” Willard said.

Among the highlights of Willard’s time as director was the 100th Missouri State Fair in 2002, one of the largest attended fairs in 2004 and record-breaking auctions at the annual Sale of Champions.

“Every year was a highlight for me as we come out here and see the youth and all the kids having a great time at the Missouri State Fair,” Willard said.

The Missouri State Fair Commission is scheduled to meet this month and will proceed with the search for a new director.               

                                                                                                   - Missouri Department of Agriculture

Missouri Agribusiness Academy Applications Now Available

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the 2007 Missouri Agribusiness Academy (MAbA), a youth leadership program designed for high school sophomores to explore career opportunities in agribusiness, government and production agriculture.  MAbA helps to provide youth with a foundation in agricultural leadership and prepares them to meet the challenges and reap the rewards of Missouri's largest industry, agriculture.

Applications are available at www.mda.mo.gov and are due no later than Friday, Feb. 2, 2007.  To be eligible for MAbA, academy members must be a high school sophomore and come from a farm family or be active in 4-H or FFA.                        - Missouri Department of Agriculture

New Reserved Camping at the 2007 Missouri State Fair

Beginning in 2007, the Missouri State Fair will offer reserved camping for fair patrons.  Reservation costs are $275 and reserves a location in the reserved area in the southern section of the campground.  Reservations can be made now through May 1, 2007 by visiting http://www.mostatefair.com/camp07.html. and reservations must be made for the duration of the State Fair. 

-          Missouri Department of Agriculture

Calendar of Events

Dec. 7               St. Charles County Cattlemen – VFW Hall, New Melle, 5:30 p.m.

Dec. 7-9            Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show – University Plaza Hotel

& Springfield Expo Center (Downtown Springfield, Mo.)

For more cattle industry events, visit www.mocattle.com/calendar.htm

The Fine Print

This newsletter is a publication of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. All rights reserved – this newsletter may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without permission of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. Did someone forward this message to you? To subscribe yourself, send an email to cattleinfo@mocattle.com.    

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If so, please contact McKenzie Disselhorst at (573) 499-9162 or mckenzie@mocattle.com.