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Beef producers plan annual cookout Aug. 18

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Gazette files

Volunteers worked over hot coals to cook a couple thousand steaks at the 2007 Rock County Beef Producers annual cookout in Thresherman’s Park near Edgerton.

JANESVILLE — With an abundance of good land for growing crops and pasture, Rock County is a pretty great place to raise cattle, said retired beef producer Ray Johnson.

Good cattle result in good steaks, which Johnson said would be available by the thousands Thursday, Aug. 18, at the annual Rock County Beef Producers Cookout.

"When's the last time you heard anyone say they don't like a good steak?" Johnson said.

Johnson retired in 2009 after decades of raising stock Angus cattle on Johnson Angus Farms in Avon Township. Johnson; his wife, Frances; and the members of their family are the honorary hosts of this year's event.

The cookout is planned to promote beef and to be a fundraiser for the producers association's scholarship fund and spring cattle preview show. The association also uses the money to buy animals at the Rock County 4-H Fair meat animal sale.

"Most of it goes back to the youth in the county," said beef producers President Austin Arndt.

The beef producers have ordered 2,600 12-ounce Angus rib-eye steaks, 1,500 6-ounce rib-eyes and 300 burger patties, Arndt said.

You won't find a better steak at a better price, Arndt said.

"It's premium angus meat," Arndt said. "They're getting an extremely good piece of meat for an extremely good price."

Free for the taking is the chance to visit with 3,000 of your closest friends while someone else does the grilling, Johnson said.

"It's an opportunity to get a really good steak at a reasonable price," Johnson said. "As well as some fellowship with your friends and neighbors from town and country."