Sessions to be held in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas
Writer: Kay Ledbetter, 806-677-5608, skledbetter@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Ted McCollum, 806-677-5600, ft-mccollum@tamu.edu
AMARILLO – High cattle markets and lingering drought conditions have beef producers continually planning to maximize their assets – water, grass and cattle.
Beef producers from five states can hear from experts on these topics at three sessions scheduled as a part of the “Five-State Beef Conference,” said Dr. Ted McCollum, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in Amarillo.
The programs area joint effort of AgriLife Extension, Colorado State University, Oklahoma State University, New Mexico State University and Kansas State University. While it is primarily geared to cow/calf producers, the material will be beneficial to stocker/feeder operations and feedlots, McCollum said.
This year’s conferences are scheduled as follows:
– Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. MDT, Clayton Livestock Research Center, 9 miles east of Clayton, New Mexico, on State Highway 56.
– Sept. 10, 2:30-7 p.m., High Plains Technology Center, 3921 34th St. in Woodward, Oklahoma.
– Sept. 11, 2:30-7 p.m., Ochiltree County Expo Center, 402 Expo Drive in Perryton.
The programs at Woodward and Perryton will be identical, McCollum said. Topics and speakers include:
– Reproductive Management Strategies to Enhance Productivity and Economic Efficiency of Beef Cattle Operations, Dr. Sandy Johnson, Kansas State University Research and Extension livestock production specialist, Manhattan.
– Economics of Cow Herd Expansion, Dr. Paul Gutierrez, New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service range livestock production specialist, Las Cruces.
– EPA Water Regulation Review, Dr. Shannon Ferrell, Oklahoma State University professor of agriculture economics, Stillwater.
– Role of Value-Added Programs in High Cattle Markets, McCollum.
– Projections in a Dynamic Cattle Market, Dr. Jerry Hawkes, New Mexico State University Extension animal sciences and natural resources department head, Las Cruces.
McCollum said the program at Clayton is considerably longer because it will include a “bud box” demonstration by Dr. Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist and associate animal science department head at Texas A&M University, College Station. A bud box is a facility design for controlling cattle flow.
Preregistration by Sept. 2 is $35 per individual or $50 per couple for the Clayton and Perryton sessions. Registration will be $50 per individual or $65 per couple at the door.
The Woodward meeting is free, but advanced registration is requested for planning purposes.
Participants for all meetings should register online at: http://fivestatesbeef.nmsu.edu/.
-30-
