IBA names award winners, new board members
The Illinois Beef Association hosted its annual summer conference and tour June 8-9 in East Peoria, Ill. Throughout the two-day event, members attended workshops, visited farms, elected new leaders and awarded outstanding individuals.
This year, five offices were available on the IBA board. The following were elected:
President Paul Walker, Danvers, Ill.
Vice President Dave Duzan, Lexington, Ill.
At-Large Policy Director Wes Hornback, Monticello, Ill.
At-Large Policy Director Cody Lowderman, Macomb, Ill.
District 3 Checkoff Division Director Jamie Martz, Maple Park, Ill.
Walker says he looks forward to representing Illinois beef producers throughout his time in the role as president.
Corrazina said the Chicago steakhouse is surviving by volume and taking care of its customers. We’re charging a little bit extra, but they understand, and that’s all we can do, the chef explained.
Greg Stinton, a rib champion who opened Small Batch Barbecue in Forest Park in 2019, said he might not have a choice other than to increase prices. We try and absorb the increases that we feel for our raw proteins as much as we can, but it’s reached a point now where we can’t really do that any longer, he said.
Depending on where you shop, you might see higher meat prices at the grocery store, too. At Carnival Grocery in Oak Park, the store plans to absorb the costs - at least for now.
WBGZ Radio 5/20/2021 |
By Kevin Bessler - Illinois Radio Network
It’s prime grilling season in Illinois.
Despite the pandemic, the appetite for beef has not been stronger since the mid-1960s.
Cattleman Josh St. Peters, vice president of the Illinois Beef Association, said the COVID-19 lockdowns had many people stuck at home, cooking steaks, roasts and meatloaves.
“Even through the extended quarantine, Department of Agriculture statistics show that beef demand continued to strengthen,” St. Peters said. He said he expects demand to stay robust as the months go on. “At the rate we are seeing orders for beef come in, I think we will see a really strong summer for our beef consumers.