Overton Co. Cattlemens Association

09/08/2026

The TAEP application period is right around the corner. Check out some of the changes for the upcoming program year.

⚠️TAEP 2026–2027 Updates: Quick Summary

The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) has made several changes for the 2026–2027 program year, including lower minimum requirements, new eligible programs and equipment, and expanded opportunities for producers.

🔸Hay producers: Minimum requirement drops from 100 to 50 acres of hay production (first cutting only). Eligible programs include Farming Solutions, Hay Equipment, and Hay Storage.
🔸Swine producers: Minimum requirement drops from 1,000 to 100 head, and the commercial producer requirement is removed. Eligible programs include Farming Solutions, Livestock Equipment, Livestock Fencing, and Swine Producer.
🔸Farming Solutions: Formerly Livestock Solutions, the program now includes additional sectors such as row crop, hay, and swine producers. Single bale wrappers are now eligible.
🔸Hay Storage: Eligible projects now include new structures and additions to existing structures.
🔸Herd Health: The previous lifetime limit of three reimbursements has been removed.
🔸Livestock Fencing: A new program for cattle, equids, goats/sheep, and swine. Permanent perimeter and cross-fencing are eligible, with reimbursement based on $2 per linear foot, up to the program maximum. It is also available through the Beginning Farmer Option.
🔸Livestock Equipment: New eligible items include automatic waterers, hay feeders, and virtual fencing.
🔸Poultry Grower: New eligible items include composters, incinerators, and whole-farm water sanitation/treatment systems.
🔸Swine Producer: New eligible items include composters and incinerators.

Reimbursement maximums: Final reimbursement amounts will be determined based on overall demand for cost-share funding and listed on approval documentation. The program's application period is Oct. 1-7, online only.

09/05/2026

Messages from the White House have been directly impacting American farmers and cattle ranchers over the last few weeks. It’s important no matter what your political party is to stay updated.

08/22/2026

Fellow cattlemen - here is an opportunity to voice your thoughts.

To our fellow citizens, please buy American beef.

📢 Calling all cattle producers – we need your help!

Tell Congress and the White House to support American cattle producers, not actions that undercut them like importing foreign beef.

✅ Use this link to send a letter > beef.quorum.us/campaign/vp4cc3p0

08/15/2026

Steak and Potatoes day is this coming Thursday, Aug 20th. Go ahead and save the date for October 12th as well in Columbia. Overton county’s top Ag industries include forestry, cattle, and row crops. The Southeast Farm and Forest Summit brings all those to one place for a great educational experience.

Rapid land use changes across the Southeast are creating challenges for young and beginning farmers, family farm operations and rural communities.

To address these issues, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation will host the inaugural Southeast Farm and Forest Land Summit on Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Tennessee Farm Bureau headquarters in Columbia, Tennessee.

The summit will bring together farmers, industry leaders, state agencies and university experts from across the Southeast to explore practical solutions for preserving working farm and forest land. Sessions will focus on farm profitability, land access for beginning farmers, land use trends, public policy, succession planning and the regional agricultural economy.

Registration is $20. For more information, contact Alison Davis at 865-974-7273 or [email protected].

08/10/2026

Help us, help Overton 4-H livestock judging. Board members will bring the equipment and expertise and this time the profits go directly to a great group of youth striving to do their very best at livestock judging. Several members of the team went to livestock judging camp this summer to better their reasoning skills before the season even begins. Find a member or stop by the UT/TSU Extension office in Livingston this week to buy your pre-sale meal ticket.

Our livestock kids are looking to raise some money for their different statewide and out-of-state trips. We are doing a pre-sale of our sandwich fundraiser! Please consider purchasing from our various members and their parents!
Bonnie Holt
Cashton Ochsner
Abigail Alford
Sarah Graff
Miriam Graff
Cooper Melton
Campbell Melton
Lettie Holt
Koda Copeland
Easton Bennett
Coach Brad Bennett

08/08/2026

Steak and Potatoes Day is always a great event held in Crossville to learn about recent research and share with producers - Aug 20th

🥩🥔 Explore the latest research on beef cattle, vegetable and fruit production during the annual Steak and Potatoes Field Day. Hosted by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, the community is invited to this free event on Thursday, August 20 at 8 a.m. CDT, at the Plateau AgResearch and Education Center.

More than 15 presentations, hosted by experts from UT AgResearch and UT Extension, will discuss topics such as livestock and forages, w**d and pest management, soil health, irrigation, commercial and home gardening and the New World screwworm. Attendees will also enjoy vendors, a student poster contest and wagon tours of the AgResearch Center.

On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. with presentations beginning at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at 11:30 a.m. A sponsored lunch will be available following the seminars.

The Plateau AgResearch and Education Center is located off Highway 70N at 320 Experiment Station Road in Crossville.

07/19/2026

We are so proud to see the Holt family join the cattle show world! Lettie, Bonnie, Will, Tucker, and Laramie Jo did a fantastic job making their debut at the Overton County Fair cattle show.

07/19/2026

The Overton County Cattlemen board members are spending the evening at the Overton County Agriculture Fair facilitating the Open, County, and youth cattle shows. Thank you to Blake Quiggins for sorting through these exhibitors and cattle tonight.