UT Extension Union County and Union County Soil Conservation service have partnered to thank Union County Farmers for their service to our community. On Friday, April 1, 2022 free breakfast will be served to any farmer at Union County Farmers Co-op from 8:30-10:30 am. Our world depends on farmers for survival, and we’d like to say “Thank you!”
For your information, I’d like to include a short update of agriculture in Union County. Historically, our farmers raised tobacco, home gardens, and beef cattle. After the tobacco buyout, tobacco slowly phased out until 2019 when the last crop was grown in Luttrell. Currently, in Union County, there are 505 total farms representing 44,173 acres of land in farm use. Majority of agriculture production in Union County is beef cow and calf farms and forages to feed cattle. Union county is the start of the beef production chain. The topography of Union county does not allow for large row crop production such as corn, soybeans, and cotton. We utilize the steep hills, ridges, and valleys to produce grass for momma cows and calves. Calves are weaned and taught to eat and drink without momma, a process known as backgrounding, then are sold to stocker operations. At this point the calves are 6-8 months old and headed for more level ground where they grow on a combination of different forages and feeds until they are ready for finishing. The finishing phase is generally 90-300 days long where they are fed grain until they are ready for slaughter at about 16-24 months in age. The cattle are processed in large packing houses destined for either restaurants, grocery stores, or export into other countries. Exports accounted for about 11% of the beef produced in the United States, which is the largest producer of beef in the world. The top international destination for US is Japan, South Korea, and China in that order (source, USDA Economic Research Service).
Many farmers in Union County are now keeping the whole beef production cycle completely local. They have momma cows and calves that they wean, background, grow, finish, slaughter, and sell in retail cuts direct to consumer. Some offer custom finishing where animals can be purchased in wholes, halves, and quarters for freezer beef. For folks looking for a truly local product, look no further than our local farmers who can serve you a safe, wholesome steak, burger, or roast. Beef cattle is in our past, present, and future here in Union County. April 1 will be a day of thank you to the farmers who put food on our tables, three times a day.