Four States Cattle Conference set Dec. 3 in Texarkana

Experts from four state universities will give trainings

Writer: Robert Burns, 903-834-6191, rd-burns@tamu.edu

TEXARKANA – The Four States Cattle Conference set Dec. 3 in Texarkana is a great new opportunity for livestock producers, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service county agent.

“Beef cattle production is a very important agricultural enterprise for northeast Texas,” said Brian Triplet, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Bowie County. “This is a conference that brings together speakers from four different universities in one location, where a producer can gain valuable information in one day that they would have to travel to four states to get otherwise.”

The conference will be held at the Four States Fairgrounds, 3700 East 50th St, Texarkana, Ark.

Registration is $20 if paid by Nov. 19 and $30 thereafter or on the day of the event, and includes lunch and educational materials. To register or for more information, contact Dr. Paul Beck, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Hope, Ark., 877-777-9702, pbeck@uaex.edu.

The full program brochure and a mail-in registration form can be found online at http://swrec.uark.edu/pdf_files/4-StatesBrochure.pdf .

Speakers include Beck, Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma Sate University professor of agribusiness and agricultural economics; Gary McManus, associate state climatologist for Oklahoma; Jeremy Powell, University of Arkansas professor and veterinarian; Mike McCormick, ruminant nutrition specialist, Louisiana State University; Dr. Ryon Walker, Louisiana State University assistant professor of beef cattle at the Hill Farm Research Station in Homer, La.; Dr. Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, College Station; and Dr. Brian Freking, Oklahoma State University regional livestock specialist.

Morning presentations include: “What Does Mother Nature Have in Store for Us?” McManus; “Cattle Market Outlook,” Peel.

Concurrent breakout sessions will follow a morning break and include: “Current Tendencies for Parasite Control in Cattle,” Powell; “Utilizing Bale-age in the Beef Herd,” McCormick; and “Today’s Look at Cow Size and Efficiency,” Walker.

Following lunch and a trade show, Gill will give a two-hour presentation and demonstration on cattle handling techniques.

The event will conclude at 4 p.m.

-30-