Chelsey Nelson, Co-Chair of Region Two, Ted Card, Chairperson of Region Two, and Heidi Nicholas, Owner of Empire Livestock and guest speaker at the New York Beef Producers’ Association meeting on Sept. 13. Submitted photo

LAKEWOOD — At the most recent meeting of the New York Beef Producers Association Region Two, the new owner of Empire Livestock LLC, Heidi Nicholas, was invited to speak about her plans for the future after recently purchasing six Empire Livestock sale barns.

The meeting was held at the Lakewood Fireman’s Training Grounds. Ted Card, president and chairperson of the organization, said the meeting went very well.

“Sixthy-five people attended and (Nicholas) was well-welcomed,” Card said. “She answered a lot of questions and talked about updates she will be making including a board in the sale barn with weights and prices and vaccines given.”

Card said he received several calls about the meeting the following morning, adding that following the COVID-19 pandemic people do not want to get together anymore, so it was nice to see people gathered to learn together.

The meeting was sponsored by Southern Tier Trailer, Eckman Insurance Agency, Chautauqua County Beef Producers Association and the New York Beef Producers’ Association Region Two, with support from Cornell Cooperative Extension. Card said dairy, beef and pig farmers were in attendance and anyone was invited to come. He also invited anyone to come out to the next meeting of the Beef Producers, which meets quarterly on the second Wednesday of the month at the Lakewood Fireman’s Training Grounds. These meetings often include speakers and is one of the ways Card is hoping to keep the organization alive.

“We also sponsor a 4-H incentive program,” Card said. “We invite 4-Hers to come buy a calf and show and sell it at the Chautauqua County Fair. Kids win money for showing and a lot want to buy from out of town, so it’s nice when a grand champion comes from here. It shows we have good cows here.”

This is the second meeting like this that Nicholas has done since becoming the new owner of Empire Livestock. She said she was invited to come by the Beef Producers to talk about the six sale barns and to provide information to attendees. The sale barns are located in Vernon, Pavilion, Bath, Central Bridge, Cherry Creek and Dryden.

“I had a handout that I gave to producers to provide information about our vaccine program,” Nicholas said. “I talked to them about if they want their cattle to be natural, there are certifications they are expected to follow. We have certified vaccination protocols as well, but they are not brand specific. I want to try to get producers to realize the added value they could have if they take the steps to vaccinate and wean calves off of the mother for a certain amount of days.”

Empire Livestock LLC used to be owned by Dairy Farmers of America under the name Empire Livestock Market. Nicholas said she just took over the market in March and is working to educate producers on a standard protocol they can follow to get better money for their animals. She has also added updates to each new barn, including a new computer system and display of price, weight, vaccines given and a new software. She said the updates are to make everything very transparent.

Nicholas said that several people came up to her at the end of the meeting to discuss the market in more depth. Additionally, she has a man that she employs to travel and speak with producers about the market, and she referred to him as a “great resource”.

In the future, there are more updates and renovations to be done, including a new roof.

Overall, Nicholas hopes that farmers will start to realize they can bring their cattle to Empire Livestock.

“We have a competitive price and direct deposit, so farmers can get their money immediately instead of waiting for a check in the mail,” Nicholas said. “It is a woman owned business. I grew up in New York and if I hadn’t made a deal these sale barns would have closed. We currently employ 75 people.”

More information and upcoming sales which continue through November but not during Christmas time, can be found on the website empirelivestock.com.