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Brushing up on cattle basics

George Quackenbush

The Michigan Cattlemen’s Association met for their Anual Summer Round Up meeting over the weekend for educational sessions and farm tours. George Quackenbush, Executive Vice President says members come for comradery and to brush up on their management skills.

“We’ve titled the educational program ‘Back to the Basics’ and we’re really looking at some of those practices that we use on the farms and ranches with cattle.”  He tells Brownfield topics included herd health, managing high risk cattle, genomics testing and fly control.

Farm tours during the event stop in Mid-Michigan at the Angus cow/calf operation Brigham Cattle Company; Hotchkin Feedlot, a Holstein feeding operation; Triple R Ranch featuring Longhorn cattle; and Sears Farm, a diversified farm including cow/calf production, a feedlot and grain operations.

Quackenbush says some farmers are busy baling hay, but it’s a good time in the season to meet.  “The summer is really the easy time for cattle producers, for cow/calf producers anyway, because cows are grazing with calves alongside.”

The association also honored five members for their dedication to the industry. Dr. Dan Buskirk of Mason was recognized as the Association’s Member of the Year Award Winner. Other winners include American Farm Products as Agribusiness of the Year, Jonathan Harfst of Battle Creek was recognized as Young Cattleman of the Year, Ed and Paul Dawson were named Purebred Breeder of the Year, and Lyle Oesterle of Golden Acre Farms in Mason received Cattle Businessman of the Year.

 AUDIO: Interview with George Quackenbush (4:13 mp3):

 

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