The Cullman County Farm-City committee held their annual tour Thursday and toured Birmingham Fastener, Tinney Farms and the Cullman Stockyard.

The tour is meant to showcase how area farming, business and industry work together in the community.

“The theme this year is ‘Farmers care for their animals and you,’” said Doris Patterson, committee advisor.

For the past 53 years in October, Americans have observed National Farm-City Week as a way to express gratitude for what they have received and to recognize achievements of the farmers, rural townspeople and city residents who contribute to agriculture production and distribution.

The first stop was Birmingham Fastener, a leading manufacturer and distributor of fasteners for structural steel fabrication and custom and non-standard fasteners. Birmingham Fastener operates the highest volume distribution center of nuts and bolts and standard fasteners in the United States.

“Howard Tinney began the company in 1980 and it has grown into the largest supplier in the southeast,” said Steve Lee, warehouse supervisor.

Along with the Hanceville plant, there are locations in Huntsville, Dallas, Omaha, Milwaukee, Birmingham and Louisiana.

“We make custom made fastener to any customers satisfaction,” Lee said. “We are the world’s largest T-head bolt manufacturer.”

An in-house tool and die machine allow for production of any fastener needed.

The 120,000 square foot warehouse holds 11,000 palates spots that handle more than 400 truck loads of material. There are 32 employees at the Hanceville distribution center.

The center is celebrating more than seven years accident free and are strongly conscious of safety measures.

“We strongly believe in safety and we strive to have a good working environment,” Lee said.

The center supplies parts to a variety of businesses including car manufacturers, playground equipment and aerospace programs.

Next stop for the tour was Tinney Farms, a more than 2,000 acre farm raising around 600 head of Santa Gertrudis cattle.

Howard Tinney began farming around 1980, the same time he started Birmingham Fastener. Tinney has had nine national champions, four national junior champions and numerous gain test champions.

The farm not only raises the cattle, but also does hay production.

“We sell hay and raise cattle and that’s how we pay bills around here,” said Arlin Taylor, farm manager, who has been at the farm for 16 years.

Taylor said due to the rain, this year’s hay crop and grass suffered.

“The grass has not been as good this year as far as nutrients for the cows because of all the rain,” Taylor said.

Because of this, the farm supplements feed and nutrients to the cattle.

“We have a real strong health program,” he said. “We have good genetics and really raise good cattle. We use mineral supplements and feed plus good hay, especially in the winter months.”

Taylor said the farm focuses on healthy cattle.

“We make sure our cattle are well maintained and well fed, that’s the lifeblood of any operation,” he said. “We do blood testing on every cow.”

The final tour stop was Cullman Stockyard, where tour participants saw how the sales end of cattle farming works.

Keith and Helen Parrish started the stockyard in 1954. It is located on 15 acres next to Hwy. 157 in Cullman. The stockyard is able to handle 1,800 to 2,000 animals. The stockyard has 48 sales per year.

The Farm City banquet will be Nov. 19 at the Cullman Civic Center featuring Mamie McCullough and music with Penny Adair.

Tickets can be purchased at Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, Cullman Electric Co-op, Cullman Savings Bank, Cullman County Economic Development, Eva Bank, Federal Land Bank, First South Farm Credit, Merchants Bank, People’s Bank, Superior, Traditions Bank and Wachovia at $15 per person. Call 737-9386 for more information.

* Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.