Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Logan Boswell, 432-837-6207, l-boswell@tamu.edu
Jesse Schneider, 432-729-4746, jlschneider@ag.tamu.edu
Norman Fryar, 432-336-2541, rnfryar@ag.tamu.edu
ALPINE – A Texas Beef Quality Assurance program is set from 8:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. followed by a live cattle handling demonstration from 2:15-3:30 p.m. Sept. 5 at Sul Ross State University’s Everett E. Turner Range Animal Science Building in Alpine.
The facility is on the south side of E. U.S. Highway 90 upon entering Alpine.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offices in Jeff Davis/Brewster, Presidio and Pecos counties are partnering with Sul Ross State University, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and the Texas Beef Council to conduct the program aimed at helping cattlemen produce a safer, more wholesome food product, said Logan Boswell AgriLife Extension agent for Jeff Davis/Brewster counties.
There is no charge for the program, but attendees should RSVP by Aug. 31 to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association at 800-242-7820, Boswell at 432-249-0265, or to the AgriLife Extension office in Brewster County at 432-837-6207, so an accurate lunch count can be made. More information is also available from the AgriLife Extension office.
Boswell said Beef Quality Assurance is a national program that provides guidelines for beef cattle production. The goal is to raise consumer confidence through proper management techniques and a commitment to quality within every segment of the beef industry.
He said producers benefit through increased profitability as the program helps them identify management processes that can be improved.
The morning topics will include talks on the Beef Quality Assurance program, industry updates, record keeping, environmental stewardship and proper management practices associated with genetic selection, cattle handling, culling, vaccination, drug use and other production-related topics.
“How cattle are managed and treated while on the ranch to a large degree governs their eventual quality,” Boswell said. “So our afternoon program will focus heavily on stockmanship and stewardship.
“Dr. Ronald Gill, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist at College Station and a noted expert on proper cattle handling techniques, will complete the day with a demonstration on how best to create and manage herd movement to more effectively handle cattle.”
Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units, one integrated pest management and two general, will be available to those with a valid private applicator’s license.
-30-