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Jingle Jangle

by Beverly Butler and Members.

Greetings CowBelles,

This year your State Officers have been focusing on promoting the benefits of beef to all New Mexicans and giving you the information you need to join us. We know the health benefits of beef: zinc, iron, protein, B vitamins. Meat lovers have a special place for beef in their hearts because of its good taste and nutritional content. Calorie for calorie, beef is one of the most nutrient rich foods. It has one of the highest concentrations of these nutrients compared to other proteins.

Most people consider turkey, chicken, and fish to be healthy, yet think they should avoid red meat since they’ve been told that it’s high in saturated fat. There are two problems with that thinking. The first problem is that almost half of the fat in beef is a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid – the same heart-healthy fat that’s found in olive oil. Second, most of the saturated fat in beef actually decreases your heart-disease risk either by lowering bad cholesterol or by reducing your ratio of total cholesterol to good cholesterol.

There is no other single food that provides the same variety of health benefits found in beef. A serving of beef is a good, healthy addition to any diet. This fact makes beef a good value for your food dollar, something consumers need to be reminded of often.

Now, to the economic benefits of beef. Agriculture provides a considerable source of income for New Mexico. The most important agricultural industry is ranching. Ranches throughout the state make use of land that is too steep or too rocky for growing crops. Cattle thrive on the open range year round. The livestock industry still dwarfs crop enterprises and is the most evenly spread throughout the state. More than that, the livestock industry forms the core of the economy for rural communities across New Mexico.

Livestock is significant to New Mexico’s economy with over 1.5 million head on rangeland and in feedlots. Today, agriculture continues to expand its contribution to the state’s economy and recognition. Agriculture is one of the state’s principal industries, with cash receipts of nearly $3 billion annually and directly supports over 23,000 jobs in the state. About 37 percent of the state’s total agricultural receipts are generated by beef cattle and calves.

So far this year we have participated in Ag Fest, given presentations at District Workshops promoting the benefits of beef, and were a part of the “Centennial Celebration of New Mexico Agriculture”. Many locals put on wonderful “Beef for Father’s Day” activities and we had a terrific training session by Traci Williams at mid-year in Ruidoso. We are looking forward to working with many of you at the New Mexico State Fair next month to promote beef. In October we will participate in the “Pumpkin Patch” for the first time, where we will again have an opportunity to share the wonders of beef with the public.

What a great job we have! Promoting delicious, nutritious, economical, beneficial, grown-in-New Mexico BEEF. We thank you for joining us in this endeavor and encourage you to keep up the good work.

                          – Beverly Butler, NMCB President

 

DATES TO REMEMBER

  • August 1 – State Fair Manpower $ and Ins. due to State Treasurer
  • September 12-23 – State Fair Booth
  • September 15 – Deadline for Membership Award
  • September 25 – Executive Board Meeting, Clayton
  • September 26 – 5 States Roundup, Clayton
  • September 28-30 – National Beef Ambassador Contest, California
  • October 1 – Membership Drive begins
  • October 15 – CowBelle of the Year Nominations Due
  • November 15 – Annual Reports due to President-Elect (50 copies); Volunteer Time Sheets due to President


The Powderhorn CowBelles
of De Baca and Guadalupe Counties met at the home of Karen and Curt Kelling to enjoy Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 14. Approximately 30 CowBelles, husbands, friends, neighbors and relatives met to enjoy Curt’s marvelous brisket and Karen’s rolls as well as side dishes and desserts brought by guests. Every cow man knows that he pays a dollar when his animal is sold, but not all have a real understanding of the beef checkoff. Wesley Grau from Grady, New Mexico representative on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board gave an interesting and informative talk on the Beef Checkoff and what it does for the industry. It is 25 years old this year, having been approved by 79 percent of voters in the referendum of 1988. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board is made up of producers of beef, veal and dairy and importers who are nominated by their producer organizations and appointed by the US Secretary of Agriculture. They are volunteers serving without pay, charged with the responsibility of spending wisely the 50 cents of each dollar collected from the producer. The other 50 cents goes to the state Beef Councils. In the 25 years it has been in existence this money has helped the beef industry in many ways. Mr. Grau answered quite a few questions and indicated that any producer can gain more knowledge by contacting the organization he is affiliated with or contacting the State Beef Council or CBB. Submitted by Dorothy Vaughan, Secretary.

The Mesilla Valley CowBelles met in July to celebrate Jeff Witte’s selection as NMCB Man of the Year announced at the Joint Summer Conference in Ruidoso. The group greatly appreciates all he does and was happy to recognize him. The group also recognized J.W. Lindsay being a NMCB Scholarship recipient, also announced at the Joint Summer Conference in Ruidoso (Congratulations to J.W.!) J.W. has been a great help to Mesilla Valley CowBelles from wearing the cow suit and handing out Jolly Ranchers to helping school kids learn to rope at the fair, and now to hauling anything that is needed. The Doña Ana County Expo is in early August and the group decided to be a sponsor once again. The Las Cruces Public Schools menu/calendar art contest which the local sponsors along with NM Ag in the Classroom was finalized in May and prize dollars and goodies were distributed to the winners (Thank you Traci and Mary Esther for their hard work!). The selected artwork will be displayed at this year’s Southern New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo. Items for the Silent Auction at Summer Conference were discussed. Southern New Mexico State Fair and Rodeo Queen contest has requested items for the contestants. Janet will put together 10 packets with Beef pot holders, thermometers, brochures, etc. Further discussion continued regarding Fair Booth and group decided to table to next meeting to be held July 24, 2012 at 6:30 pm at Andeles.

The Chuckwagon CowBelles met on July 10, 2012 with 15 members and two guests present. Bill Simms with the Methodist Church gave a tour of the newly completed stained glass windows within the sanctuary. The windows depict Bible scenes and are installed within the church’s peripheral walls. The group walked to Allen Street Potters where they were greeted by Alma Wimsatt in her studio. She explained the art of throwing a pitcher as she delicately turned earthen clay into a beautiful and functional piece of art right before group’s watching eyes. Alma’s “mud room” is replete with tools, glazes, and a certain serenity that comes only within a space that is constantly employed by creative genius. Toni Barrow called the meeting to order at 12:50 p.m. The CowBelle invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and CowBelle creed were recited. Toni asked Anna Sanchez-Glenn to introduce the newest member, Lindsey Howden. Lindsey was raised in rural North Dakota. Welcome, Lindsey! Toni Barrow announced the Torrance County Fair on August 18. She reminded of Chuckwagon’s dates for the New Mexico State Fair, September 17 and 18. The next meeting will be at the Shaffer Hotel in Mountainair on August 14 and the program will include information on Meth abuse. The September meeting will be at Ronda Thompson’s ranch. She also said that the November meeting will take place on the first Tuesday – November 6 – at Babbi’s place. Horses for Heroes will be there to make a presentation. All who were at the Mid-year meeting said that the Beef Ambassador candidates were stellar! It was decided to accept the June minutes as mailed. Toni then thanked everyone for coming to beautiful Estancia, New Mexico and adjourned the meeting at 1:50 p.m. Submitted by Babbi Baker.

 

New Mexico CowBelles: Thank you to all who have submitted their news to “Jingle Jangle.”
Please send minutes and/or newsletters to:

Jingle Jangle, Janet Witte, 1860 Foxboro Ct., Las Cruces, NM  88007 or email: janetwitte@msn.com

 

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