DALEVILLE—VA Cattle, a new app launched by the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, offers the state’s cattle farmers a ready source of valuable industry information.
Developed with grant funding from the Virginia Cattle Industry Board, the app was created to streamline the dissemination of helpful industry updates and resources to cattle producers.
“We’re excited to be one of the only cattlemen associations to have something like this for our producers,” remarked Brandon Reeves, VCA executive director.
“We wanted to create something that would help promote Virginia cattle, and also give our producers access to the information they need to best manage their herds.”
The easy-to-navigate app features quick access to “basically any report that is relevant to cattle producers.” Under the “Market Report” tab, users can access cattle market reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Virginia markets.
App users also can access CME Group Inc. quotes for feeder and live cattle, and futures for different agricultural commodities. Additionally, VCA is working to incorporate a Livestock Risk Protection quoter to assist farmers in protecting prices of cattle sales.
Other app features include a calendar with upcoming cattle sales and industry events; weather forecasts catered to the user’s location; links to industry resources; and news stories relevant to cattle producers and their operations.
Feedback from users has been “very positive” in the app’s early stages, Reeves said. Next to making improvements and potentially introducing new features to the app, he hopes to generate engagement from users across the U.S.
“We hope that by promoting the app nationwide, we’re able to promote Virginia cattle and the really great genetics and producers that we have here in the state,” he explained.
VA Cattle is free to download in Apple and Google Play stores. New users will be prompted to create a login, but no fee or membership is required.
Visit vacattlemen.org for more information on VCA and its hub of industry resources.
Virginia’s cattle farmers can hear about the latest trends in feeder cattle markets and share their unique stories on the Virginia Farm Bureau CattlePulse podcast. Visit spoti.fi/3ZDaBUn to hear episodes.