The West Luther 4-H beef club began its 68th year with a couple of spring meetings, boasting one of the largest memberships on record with over 35 members.
On April 26, the club held it first meeting at R.K Animal Supplies, just outside of Moorefield. Club members went through the motions of electing their officers for the year.
Jordan Burns accepted the nomination of president, Jacob Bott was elected for vice president, Charlene Elliot was elected the club secretary and Hudson Hicks was nominated as the club’s press reporter.
The purpose of the club is to teach youth from the ages of 10 to 21 about agriculture and the proper care and management of a beef operation. The club members all have project animals that they will care for and train over the summer and present during their achievement day at the Arthur Fall Fair in September.
Sandy Reid, of R.K. Animal Supplies has raised and shown cattle successfully across North America for many years. Sandy visited with members and to share best practices on care, grooming and getting ready for fair day.
On May 17, the club held its second meeting at the farm of Bob and Donna McFarlane, south west of Mount Forest. Bob shared an overview of his purebred beef operation, where they specialize in red and black Simmentals with a fall calving program.
He highlighted for the members some of the things he has incorporated to make the daily tasks of managing the herd easier – as Bob is a full-time family dentist in near-by Mount Forest.
Club leader Jason Hurst taught a session on judging and the traits and features to look for in breeding stock. To practice what they had learned, the members had the opportunity to judge a class of breeding heifers.
Guest speaker Jasper Munro from Agsights spoke to club members about the importance of proper record keeping and the benefits to managing an operation with more information.
The club will remain quite active through out the spring and summer months, with the next meeting planned for June 14 at the farm of Jim Lindsay south of Fergus, and educational bus tour planned for June 23.
submitted by Hudson Hicks
