Hello Everyone,
I hope this message finds everyone doing well.
The Annual FCA Quality Replacement Heifer Sale was held in August and was a huge success. Thank you, Kevin Escobar, and the FCA Marketing Committee for your execution of this sale. The sale was strong with 134 Bred Heifers selling for an average of $2,907.84/head, the 107 Open Heifers averaged $1,787.85/head, and for the first time (aside from a few that have calved on the way to the sale in the past) 1st calf Pairs were marketed and averaged $3,009.09/pair. Two groups of yearling heifers were donated to benefit the Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association (JFCA) and the Gator Wilderness Boys Camp. It’s great to be part of an organization that supports our youth. I would like to thank all the producers who consigned cattle at this sale, the 23 buyers and 81 registered bidders, and the event sponsors who helped make this sale a success. As always, it’s a pleasure to hear from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson who attended and spoke to the producers in attendance.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Fall Quarterly in Melbourne, FL last month. We covered some important business items during the meetings and met for fun in fellowship at the steak out honoring the 2024-2025 FCW President Mrs. Eden Yarborough. If you have never been to a quarterly, please consider attending one soon, the information provided and decisions made by your association can certainly benefit your operation, and the association would benefit from your presence. We had a great membership update at the Fall Quarterly meeting, and I encourage you all to keep up the good work recruiting members. Remember that all you have to do is “just ask”. (“Just Ask” Membership Recruitment prizes and Sponsors can be found on pg 117). Our membership committee leaders, and state staff have big plans regarding recruitment and retention of new and returning FCA members.
Thank you, to our Director of Governmental Affairs, Sam Ard for preparing the group of FCA officers and FCA Past Presidents to represent our industry well at the Republican Party of Florida Victory Dinner. I know that having real cowboy hats in the room certainly had a positive impact on those decision makers in attendance.
I enjoy attending state and county events to meet members and provide an update on the work our association has been doing, I got to do just that at the Hardee County Purina Field Day-“Building Better Cattle” event, and at the Beef on Forage Beefmaster Sale last month. Please let us know when your county affiliate meetings are so either myself, an FCA officer, or member of FCA staff can attend.
Sincerely Honored,
Dale Carlton