Missouri Beef Industry Council

Week of August 18, 2008

This Week in Missouri:

Wrapping up from State Fair
Meat processor desk-side visits
Mid-MO Cattlemen's Meeting - Eldon
Central MO Dietetics Association meeting

Websites

This week the MBIC Blog www.missouribeefcouncil.com, features Alane discussing our relationship with Family and Consumer Science educators who teach students how to cook beef.
www.mobeef.org, MBIC's website, features information about our FACS Grant Program. MBIC is offering twenty-five $200 grants to FACS departments or FCCLA chapters.
www.lunchlearn.com, the Lunch and Learn website, features information about recent pork programs and articles regarding animal agriculture.

Market Update

Choice/Select Spread: $6.55/cwt.
22,703 feeder cattle sold in the state of Missouri last week compared to 19,931 a year ago. Avg. prices/weights:
553 lb. steers averaged $121.35
554 lb. heifers averaged $111.03
540 lb. Holstein steers $77.12
Springer Holstein Heifers $1,925-2,300

MBIC hosts 2nd Annual State 4-H Beef Cooking Demonstration contest
MBIC hosted the 4-H Beef Cooking Demonstration Contest at the Beef Showcase at the Missouri State Fair on Aug. 16. Not only were the contestants competing for the $100 prize, but were also the main demonstrations seen at the fair's Beef Showcase that day. All fair-goers were able to come in and see the delectable demonstrations and even try a sample! The winners are: first place - Megan Montgomery, of Audrain County, who presented the judges with a delicious beef taco soup, second - Holly Harlan, of Chariton County, with her home-made Salisbury Steak, and third place - Emma Dyer of Lafayette County, with her Pizza Fondue. All the contestants were also winners of their county beef public speaking contests!

St. Joe's Heartland Health learns about Lean Beef
MBIC hosted a booth August 7th at the Farmer's Market located on the Heartland Health campus in St. Joseph, MO. Working with Heartland Health's Wellness Connections Department, which provides a comprehensive wellness plan for employers and employees of Heartland Health, MBIC staff grilled beef kabobs on site using fresh lean beef and veggies from the Farmer's Market. Approximately 150 people, both hospital employees as well as folks from the community visited the booth to sample the kabobs, and to ask beef related questions. Not only were we able to provide samples of great tasting lean beef, but we also distributed checkoff funded nutrition materials to the key health influencers. With 29 beef cuts that meet government guidelines for lean and are naturally nutrient rich, beef is a great option to fuel the lifestyles of these healthy and active individuals.

State Beef Tour set for August 30
Mizzou's Commercial Agriculture program will be hosting the annual Missouri Beef Tour, Saturday, August 30, in the Lamar and Nevada area. Don't miss this educational event - it will be a great way to spend part of a Labor Day vacation to the Ozarks! Click Here for details and a map.