The first 4-H meeting for the United Beef Club was called to order on June 22, at 7 p.m. by Tami LeBlanc on Zoom. Everyone introduced themselves and shared their name, their project animal’s name and how many years they have been in 4-H. Everyone then recited the 4-H pledge.
Important information was then shared by club leaders Tami LeBlanc, and Neil and Angela Haw. Members learned that achievement day (August 8) will resemble what the fall fair usually is for 4-H members and their project animals. All animals will be judged by a local judge, and the top two animals from each club will progress to the next competition (which will consist of animals and members from other clubs in the district). Members were also informed that marketing and advertising of market steers as well as project heifers will take place on a Facebook page called “4-H Beef Clubs – Rainy River District”, on the website “4hsteersale.ca”, and in the Fort Frances Times. In addition, members are required to create flyers to advertise their animals, including how much per pound they will be selling their animal.
Members then discussed the role call, “How has the COVID-19 affected life on the farm?”. Everyone took turns answering, with the most common answer being that they have been able to help out on the farm more than they usually would.
The meeting was then adjourned at 7:55 pm by Tami LeBlanc.
The second 4-H meeting for the United Beef Club was called to order on June 29 on Zoom. Election of officers followed with Carenna Haw as president, and Kennah LeBlanc as vice-president.
All members then shared the weights of their steer obtained through “Tape Measuring”. This is an estimation of your animal’s weight based on their heart girth.
The meeting topic was “Beef Marketing” and the role call was “Why is it important to understand proper marketing of a product”. Members discussed the role call and came up with similar answers including the importance of understanding the costs, market, consumer needs, and end profit.
As a group, members and leaders then worked through an interactive video on the 4P’s of marketing; product, price, place, and promotion. Members were reminded that they are to identify the 4P’s of their project animal and be prepared to discuss their answers at the next meeting.
The third 4-H meeting for the United Beef Club was called to order on July 13 by president Carenna Haw.
The meeting topic was “Cuts of Meat & Beef Grading”. The roll call was “What is your favourite cut of beef to eat and what is your least favourite?”. All members shared their answers.
Next members discussed the 4P’s of their project animals, this included discussing their product (what they are going to sell), their price (how much they can charge for their product), the place (where they will sell their product), and their promotion (how will people find out about their product). This then led to a conversation about how marketing was going for each member. Members were reminded to notify the leaders when their animal has sold and who they sold to.
Later leaders led an interactive activity where members identified each cut of meat to the location on the carcass that it comes from. Members were encouraged to take a store flyer, cut out a piece of meat and identify where it came from.
Leaders are staying optimistic about having the “Achievement Day” where animals will be judged and members will be able to display all their hard work, but are waiting on approval from 4-H Canada.
Achievement day is scheduled for August 8th at 9:00 am, pending approval.
If you are interested in purchasing a whole, half, or quarter of some top quality Rainy River Raised beef please visit 4hsteersale.ca where you can learn more about each 4-H member and their market steer, contact information is also available on this site.
