Industry Events
March 7, 2008

Bovine ultrasound clinics for veterinarians
March 13-14, Bell, Fla.; April 3-4, Cortland, N.Y.

Merial is sponsoring a series of bovine reproductive ultrasound classes for veterinarians. These classes will provide hands-on, in-depth instruction in the use of ultrasound for bovine reproductive exams.

Craig DeMuth and Jill Colloton are the instructors of the seminars that include classroom and on-farm curriculum. “Bovine reproduction can be improved by learning about technological advancements,” DeMuth says. “Efficient reproduction takes the right tools. The goal of these classes is to educate veterinarians about current practices, products and technologies that can maximize efficiency when it comes to reproduction.”

The classroom portion of the ultrasound course will cover what to look for when purchasing an ultrasound unit, practical tips for using ultrasound in the field, a video demonstration of ultrasound imaging, current topics in bovine reproduction, and how ultrasound works. The on-farm portion includes: identifying normal and abnormal ovarian and uterine morphology, early pregnancy diagnosis and fetal viability, fetal sexing, and twin diagnosis.

Attendees of the clinic can apply for nine hours of continuing education (CE) credits. For more information and to register, log on to www.bovineservices.com or call Colloton at 715-352-2232. For more information visit www.merial.com.

Missouri fence laws workshops
March 19, various locations

Joe Koenen, University of Missouri (MU) Extension ag business specialist, will explain state statutes governing fences during two upcoming workshops that will run from 7 to 9:30 p.m.

The program can be seen in Kirksville, Palmyra, Salem, Mexico, Pilot Grove, Lincoln and Osage Beach. Koenen will provide an overview of both state and county laws, as well as landowners rights and responsibilities.

The program will originate from the Kirksville Telecommunications Community Resource Center (TCRC) and will be broadcast to other locations via interactive video. Participants at all locations will be able to ask questions and interact with one another.

The cost is $5 per person, which includes materials. Individuals should preregister by contacting MU Extension in Unionville at 660-947-2705 or by e-mail at koenanj@missouri.edu.

Meeting locations include:

• Kirksville - TCRC
• Palmyra - MU Extension-NE Region, 400 S. Main, Suite 2200
• Salem - TCRC, 1200 W. Rolla Rd.
• Mexico - TCRC, 2900 Doreli Lane
• Pilot Grove - C-4 School, 107 School St.
• Lincoln - Lincoln High School, 101 W. Lamine St.
• Osage Beach - State Fair Community College, 3797 Highway 54

Heart of Oklahoma Cattle Conference
March 22, Shawnee

The Heart of Oklahoma Cattle Conference will take place March 22 at the Exposition Center in Shawnee located at 1700 W. Independence St.

The conference will investigate the “Keys to Success in the Commercial Cow Business,” and speakers will discuss practices that can lead a producer to a successful business.

Early registration is $8 by March 17 and $12 the day of the conference; this will cover the cost of lunch and handout materials.

Registration on March 22 begins at 8:30 a.m., with the first session starting at 9:30 a.m.

The morning session will cover practices such as a defined calving season, beef cow body condition at breeding and calving, replacement heifer growing, herd health and immunizations, calving management and bull care.

An afternoon presentation will examine how to evaluate a calf crop based on value to the consumer. Attendees will examine calves at feeder weight and again at market weight to see if phenotypically a person can actually determine what cattle characteristics can be examined and be indicators of carcass value and quality.

The final session of the day will look at market-weight cattle going through the harvest phase and breaking them down into wholesale and retail cuts. A trade show is also scheduled.

The Heart of Oklahoma Cattle Conference is sponsored by the Pottawatomie Cooperative Extension Service and Pottawatomie County Cattle Producer’s Association.

For more information about the conference or vendor information call 405-273-7683.

Pasture and Livestock Management Workshops for the Novice
March 25-27, April 1-3, Overton, Texas

The 2008 Pasture and Livestock Management Workshop for the Novice will be March 25-27, then again April 1-3. The course is designed for those just starting in the cattle business or those considering starting, said Jason Cleere, Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist. “From introductory soils to fertilization strategies to stocking rate assessments to supplementation to vaccinating cattle, the workshop will cover most of the basics of forage and beef cattle production,” Cleere said.

The event will take place at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Overton, and attendance is limited to 50 people for each workshop to allow for one-on-one interaction with AgriLife agricultural scientists and professors.

“The focus of the program is how to get started in ranching and pasture management based on research-tested, practical information,” said Larry Redmon, AgriLife Extension forage specialist and another workshop instructor. About half of each three-day course is spent in the field with how-to demonstrations of essential skills such as planting, calibrating sprayers, soil testing, castrating, dehorning, vaccination of calves, stocking strategies, pasture management and many other topics, he said.

AgriLife Research scientists also will give tours of the various forage and grazing sites at the center and show how theory is carried to actual practice. Registration is $350 per person and includes two evening meals, two lunches, break refreshments, a binder of educational materials and social functions where workshop participants can share management experiences.

To register, send a check or money order to: Texas AgriLife Research, P.O. Box 200, Overton, TX 75684. More information can be found at http://overton.tamu.edu/grazingschool.htm or by contacting Jennifer Lloyd at 903-834-6191 or jllloyd@ag.tamu.edu.

NIAA Annual Meeting
April 1-3, Indianapolis, Ind.

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) 2008 annual meeting, themed “Animal Care and Well-Being: Facts Not Fiction,” will host producers, animal health and management professionals, animal agriculture Extension specialists, and individuals involved in animal agriculture.

Tuesday’s opening general session will feature four speakers, including Wes Jamison, Ray Stricklin, Steve Kopperud and Charlie Arnot.

NIAA’s 12 species-based and issues-based committees will meet after the opening general session on Tuesday afternoon, April 1, and Wednesday, April 2. Committees are open to all attendees.

Thursday, April 3, will be devoted to a one-day ID.INFO Workshop. The one-day workshop will center on discussions regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) animal disease traceability plan and pending country-of-origin labeling (sometimes referred as COL or COOL) implementation.

After lunch, workshop participants will spend the afternoon divided into groups of 20 or less. Each group will address six key questions related to NAIS and country-of-origin labeling, with key findings of all groups summarized at the end of the afternoon. The findings from the workshop will be submitted to USDA as important industry consensus points.

Registration for the one-day ID.INFO Workshop is just $150 per person.

A schedule of events for NIAA’s annual meeting and the 2008 ID.INFO Workshop, meeting registration, list of NIAA committees and hotel information are all available at www.animalagriculture.org or 270-782-9798.

2008 K-State Leadership Seminar
April 3, Manhattan, Kan.

The 2008 K-State Leadership Seminar has been designed to help participants learn about borrowing concepts and ideas from successful ventures to add value to their organization, personal and professional life — and community.

The professional development seminar is titled “Entrepreneurial Leadership: Seize the Opportunity!” and scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on April 3 in the University’s Student Union. The conference typically draws participants from the campus, community and region.

Keynote speaker, Jeffrey Stamp, will lead off the seminar with his interpretation of “Entrepreneurial Leadership: Creating a Culture of Opportunity.” A panel discussion is also scheduled.

Following lunch, seminar participants will have the opportunity to choose one of four labs to try out the creative entrepreneurial process such as developing ideas and identifying potential opportunities. After a refreshment break, seminar attendees are invited to reconvene for the closing session: “Greensburg, Kan.: When change isn’t a choice …”

Registration for the K-State Leadership Seminar, which includes a conference packet, buffet lunch and refreshment breaks, is $60. Registration and more information are available at www.dce.ksu.edu/conf/leadershipseminar.

Agritourism Conference
April 16, Shenandoah Valley, California

The University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension in Amador County and Farms of Amador are sponsoring an agritourism conference at 21601 Shenandoah School Rd., Shenandoah Valley. Topics include agritourism operations and county regulations, managing risk in agritourism, creating a business plan, evaluation your resources for agritourism, consumer demand and marketing channels, and more. Tour of the Sobon Estate for Agricultural History Museum or the Amador Flower Farm are also scheduled.

The event is open to all farmers and ranchers from all counties. Registration, which costs $40, begins at 8:30 a.m. and includes an agritourism manual, a catered lunch, conference packet and morning refreshments.

For more information call Andrew Kramer at 209-223-6837.

The Texas Challenge II
April 26, Franklin, Texas

Klaus and Bonnie Birkel, owners of Camp Cooley Ranch, Franklin, Texas, will again host and underwrite a celebration at the ranch on Saturday evening, April 26, at 5:30 p.m. featuring a Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) dinner and live entertainment. All Texas Angus breeders and supporters are invited to attend.

After the overwhelming success of last year’s event, an ultimate goal of raising $1 million by Dec. 31, 2011, has been set, with Texas Angus breeders challenged to raise $500,000.

All funds raised through The Texas Challenge II will count toward achievement of the nationwide fundraising initiative Vision of Value: Campaign for Angus, which aims to raise $11 million by Dec. 31, 2011.

Beef Leaders Institute
June 1-4, Saint Joseph, Mo.

The American Angus Association’s first-ever Beef Leaders Institute (BLI) is set to facilitate discussion among participants and allow for tours of packing facilities and retail outlets. The BLI is limited to 20 participants annually, ages 25-45. Participation in the BLI is based on applications, which were due March 1.

For more information about the event or participation in future BLI’s, contact Shelia Stannard at 816-390-7093 or sstannard@angus.org; or Ty Groshans at tgroshans@angus.org. 

2008 BIF meeting
June 30-July 3, Calgary, Alta., Canada

The 2008 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Calgary, Alta., Canada.

The event is expected to attract more than 500 seedstock and commercial producers, feedlot operators, academia, industry experts and beef industry service providers. Symposium topics will include the most current genetic improvement research and innovation dedicated toward advancements in beef production.

Angus Productions Inc. (API) will once again host online coverage of this popular industry event at www.bifconference.com. Symposium and tour schedules, accommodations and travel information, and archived coverage will be available in the weeks preceding the event. During and following the symposium, proceedings, audio, photos, synopses of presentations, and committee coverage will also be available.

A tentative schedule and registration information is now available by clicking on the BIF meeting link at www.canadianbeefbreeds.com.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.