Bits and pieces from the pasture

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It is only mid-June, but it looks and seem like August already. The temperatures are in the mid-90s, lawns and pastures are brown and the Cubs are 5 games under .500.

Not only are the pastures already starting to burn up, there have been several reports of severe infestations of army worms in Bureau, Marshall and Putnam counties. West of Putnam, one pasture was lost due to army worm devastation, and many more had to be sprayed. The pests were also found in wheat fields west of Henry. A 26-acre field of corn by Tiskilwa was lost, and army worms were found in hay fields around Neponset. Short pastures and small yields of hay, already this summer, don’t bode well for cow-calf producers. Hay prices could skyrocket this winter. We need rain!

This weekend is Father’s Day, and for many years this has been a significant holiday for the beef industry. Last year, 74 million Americans participated in a barbecue on Father’s Day, and on a very large portion of those grills, steaks and hamburgers were sizzling. Fifty-two years ago the American National CowBelles (now the American National Cattle Women) launched a nation wide “Beef for Father’s Day” promotion that is still held in many communities across the United States. A signature gift to a new dad was a beef roast, weighing the same as the new baby. One of the group’s early taglines was, “Keep Pappy Happy with Beef,” a good idea, yet today. So, to all Dads out there, especially mine, Happy Fathers Day, and enjoy the day with beef.

Beef made a triumphant return to the Boston Marathon this year when a volunteer beef brigade served up 4,000 beef samples and promoted lean beef during the nation’s most famous foot race. A lot of spectators had second and third servings and the beef volunteers were able to answer questions and talk about beef nutrition. The beef team also promoted the Healthy Beef Cookbook. The beef industry even had its own official protein-powered runner, Lucinda Harnish, the daughter of a Pennsylvania veal producer wearing a beef and veal runner’s jersey. Another runner commented that he always ate a steak before running the marathon.

One final comment, Beef Days is coming next month! On July 20 and 21, the Bureau County Cattlemen will be grilling 5-ounce rib eyes and all-beef hot dogs for your enjoyment. Friday night, at Soldiers and Sailors Park, come hear the Decatur Park Singers, watch the tractor parade and enjoy a steak with some mushrooms and ice cream. Of course Saturday is full of entertainment and your choice of a sandwich or a complete meal. The tractors from the parade will be parked west of the pavilion at Darius Miller Park and there will be lots of fun things for the whole family to enjoy. Also this year, on Friday night and Saturday, the Bureau County Cattlemen are proud to have the Beef Mobile here from Colorado. The Beef Mobile was created to provide information about beef and the beef industry and to promote the nutritional value of beef. It has made more than 450 stops in 43 states since attending its first event, in January 2004. Everyone is invited to visit with the Wranglers of the Beef Mobile to learn more about the importance of beef in today’s diet and get some new and exciting recipes and ways to serve beef. Also, don’t forget, that as a warm up to Beef Days, the Cattlemen will be serving Lunch in the Park on July 13.

Just as a reminder of a great site for information on the beef industry and a great place for beef recipes, go to www.illinoisbeef.com. As always, have a safe and fun summer. See you at Beef Days. And remember, Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner.

Larry Magnuson is on the board of the Illinois Beef Association.