Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Jason Cleere, 979-845-6931, jjcleere@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – The beef export market and its future potential for the U.S. will be among topics covered during the Aug. 3 general session of the 2015 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course in College Station.
Dan Halstrom, senior vice president of global marketing and communications with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, will discuss beef export trends during the afternoon general session. Halstrom is responsible for global marketing for the federation, including coordination in 18 regions around the world where he facilitates the marketing of U.S. beef, pork and lamb.
“Beef export markets have been a major driver of the exceptional cattle prices that ranchers have been receiving the past few years,” said Dr. Jason Cleere, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist and conference coordinator, College Station. “Attendees will get a broad-view look at some of the issues affecting our beef export markets as well as how important these transactions are to the overall beef economy.”
Other featured speakers during the general session will be Dr. Darrell Peel, Oklahoma State University livestock economist, who will discuss the cattle market outlook and current supply and demand factors beef producers should consider in maintaining their own operations. Brian Bledsoe, chief meteorologist at KKTV-Colorado Springs, Colorado, will provide a weather outlook, and Dr. Rick Machen, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Uvalde, will discuss hot topics in the beef industry.
The short course is the premier beef educational event in Texas, attracting more than 1,400 attendees annually, Cleere said. It features 20 sessions covering basic practices, new technologies and other important industry topics. These sessions provide participants with an opportunity to choose workshops based on their level of production experience and the needs of their ranch.
“Concurrent workshops will feature information on introductory cattle production, forage management practices, range management, nutrition and reproduction, record keeping, genetics, purebred cattle, and much more,” he said.
In addition to classroom instruction, participants can attend one of the program’s popular demonstrations on the morning of Aug. 5, Cleere said.
“There will be demonstrations on fence building, chute-side calf working, cattle behavior, penning, brush management, and beef quality,” Cleere said. “These provide an opportunity for ranchers to see beef cattle production practices put to use.
“The goal of the short course each year is to provide the most cutting-edge information that is needed by beef cattle producers. We think we have information for everyone to take home and apply to their operations.”
Participants can earn at least 10 Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide continuing education units if they are already licensed, Cleere added.
An industry trade show will be held during the event, featuring more than 120 agricultural businesses and service exhibits.
“And the famous Texas Aggie Prime Rib Dinner is always a highlight of the short course,” Cleere said.
Registration is $180 per person before July 30 or $220 afterwards. It includes educational materials, a copy of the 600-page Beef Cattle Short Course proceedings, trade show admittance, admission to the prime rib dinner, lunches, breakfasts and daily refreshments.
Registration information and a tentative schedule were mailed to previous participants in May, but also can be found on the short course website at www.beefcattleshortcourse.com
Producers can also register at the website or by contacting Cleere’s office at 979-845-6931.
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