World record attempt and a look ahead to May
Today at the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray, Tennessee, The Tri State Antique Power Association is teaming up with West Hills Tractor in Jonesbourgh, Tennessee, to attempt to break the world record for the number of Farmall tractors in a single parade.
The current record of around 110 Farmalls is held by a group in Australia. Saturday (today) tractors will begin to line up at 12:30 to lead the parade starting at 2 p.m. Requirements for the Farmall parade are:
1. Only tractors with Farmall on them will lead the parade. This is a requirement of the Atlas World Records Organization.
2. All Farmalls must be on the grounds no later than 11 a.m., Saturday, April 25. No trailers will be allowed on the grounds to be unloaded on Saturday.
3. All Farmall Tractors must be registered at the registration building prior to the parade.
4. All Farmall tractors must begin to line up no later than 12:30 p.m., Saturday, April 25.
There will be staff in place on the grounds to assist with the line up and handing out numbers for the Farmall tractors.
After the parade is completed, you need to begin preparing for National Beef Month, which begins next Friday, May 1!
Celebrate Beef
Beef. It's what's for dinner, as they say. If you're reading this, it's highly likely that you can agree with that statement or know someone that does. Actors Sam Elliott and Matthew McConaughey have famously lent their voices to the iconic campaigns that tout beef's importance.
Beef and its by-products have an immense impact on our society. It's found in the hamburger you cook on your grill, the gelatin that composes your favorite warm weather food items (such as ice cream and marshmallows), the gum that you chew, the medicines you take, the soap with which you wash your hands, and countless other products.
The uses of it in our everyday lives are immeasurable. It's also a primary source of numerous vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy lifestyle. This list includes protein, Vitamin B12, zinc, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and many more!
In fact, a 3 oz. serving of lean beef accounts for less than 10% of a 2,000-calorie diet yet supplies more than 10% of the Daily Value of those vitamins and minerals. This month, we celebrate beef's importance.
Beef is an affordable, delicious, and (most importantly) healthy addition to a well-rounded diet. Studies have shown that this saturated fat can actually lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and maintain a healthy level of HDL (good) cholesterol. Each American, on average, eats 1.7 ounces of beef per day. This falls well within the USDA's recommendations for a healthy lifestyle, proving that any healthy food should be consumed in a moderate manner.
Beef cattle are important to the economic viability of our communities, especially here in Southwestern Virginia. In a county where there are over twice as many head of cattle as people, sidelining our largest demographic for even a day, as in the case of Meatless Monday, means that over 14% of our paycheck is in jeopardy.
Agriculture is our largest industry and in Smyth County, sales of cows and calves result in over $54 million dollars of farm sales receipts annually. With that, beef amounts to over 97%
Beef’s popularity is growing internationally as well. As a favorite college professor of mine, Dr. David Kohl used to say, “It’s hard to take the cat off cream and put him on skim milk!” Once a person gets a taste of good beef, it’s hard to go back.
Upcoming Events
May 8--Bristol Steer and Heifer Show, Washington County Fairgrounds, Abingdon, 10 a.m. until done.
May 10--Mother’s Day.
May 11-12--Grazing School, Glade Spring AREC, Limited attendance, $100 fee. Call Phil at 276-676-6309.
May 14--Deadline to wean calves for July VQA Sale, contact Andy at 276-783-5175 for details.
May 15--Bristol Steer Show Carcass Show, Fleenor’s Farm near Washington County Meats.
May 21--SW VA 4-H Tractor Club Meeting 6 p.m., Extension Office.
May 25--Marion Memorial Day Parade.
June 11--Deadline to consign calves to July VQA Sale.
July 1-3--NACAA Annual Meeting (Virtual).
July 13 --VQA Sale.
July 19 --VQA Steer Take Up.
July 21--Heifer Take Up.
July 30-31--Rich Valley Horse Show.
July 26-30--Smyth County 4-H Camp.
Aug. 2-3--Rich Valley Fair Livestock Events.
Dr. Andy Overbay is the agriculture and natural resources extension agent for Smyth County.
