Beef Cattle Reproduction Symposiumn Scheduled Dec. 2-3 in Colorado

New methods and technologies to control and improve reproductive success in beef cattle will be the focus of the “Robert Taylor Memorial Symposium: Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle” scheduled for Dec. 2-3 at the Hilton Hotel in Fort Collins, Colo.

The workshops are designed to improve the understanding of the physiological processes of the estrous cycle, currently available procedures to synchronize estrus and ovulation and the proper application of these systems. They will also focus on improving participants’ understanding of methods to assess male fertility and how it affects the success of artificial insemination (AI) programs.

Program details and registration information will be available soon at http://westcentral.unl.edu/beefrepro. Continuing education credit will be available for veterinarians.

More information is available by contacting Jack Whittier, Colorado State University (CSU), 970-491-6233, jack.whittier@colostate.edu; or Nancy Weiss, 970-491-7640, nancy.weiss@colostate.edu.

World Livestock Auctioneer Championship starts in Miles City, Mont.

The road to Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA’s) 2009 World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) begins in Miles City, Mont., Sept. 9 for 32 contestants.

Miles City Livestock Commission LLP is hosting the first 2009 WLAC quarterfinal competition. Three titlists will be named at each contest, and the top eight scorers will qualify for next June’s WLAC, set to be at Fergus Falls Livestock Auction Market Inc., Fergus Falls, Minn.

The other WLAC quarterfinals will be Oct. 29 at Texhoma Livestock Auction LLC, Texhoma, Okla.; Nov. 18 at Muskingum Livestock Auction Co., Zanesville, Ohio, and Dec. 2 at Kingsville Livestock Auction, Kingsville, Mo.

LMA, the national trade association for livestock marketing businesses, created and conducts the annual WLAC. The championship in Minnesota will be the 46th annual.

Miles City Livestock Commission co-owner Rob Fraser said, “September ninth will be a special day for all of us at the market. We’ll be welcoming some of America’s best livestock auctioneers, who will be selling top-quality cattle from some of the best producers in this area.”

He expects about 4,000 head of cattle, mostly yearlings, for the sale.

And, he said, he wanted to invite “anyone who enjoys listening to the sound of a good auctioneer to join us on the ninth.” The sale will start at 9 a.m. (MT), with the contest getting under way at 10 a.m.

This is the third year LMA has used the four-contest format to qualify contestants for the June championship.

The annual WLAC, Fraser continued, brings two things into focus: that competitive livestock marketing is “the best way to get the best price for your livestock” and the “continuing importance” of the auctioneer in that process.

Contestants must be at least 18 years old, and employed and sponsored by a livestock market. Each contest is an actual sale, with buyers on the seats.

The three titlists in the June WLAC — world champion, reserve and runner-up world champion — will receive thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.

Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Bred Heifer Sale Set for Dec. 13

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) will be hosting a bred heifer sale Saturday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Claylick Run Sale Facility near Newark, Ohio. The sale will offer approximately 100 lots of top-quality bred replacement females. This event is an opportunity to market purebred, commercial and club calf-type bred females. Heifers currently participating in the Ohio Beef Heifer Development Program also qualify to sell.

The sale is open to consignments of bred heifers from current OCA members. Heifers must be born between Sept. 1, 2006, and May 1, 2007. Heifers must be bred to calve prior to June 1, 2009. A veterinarian must confirm pregnancy. Heifers must meet a minimum weight requirement of 900 pounds (lb.) to sell. Additionally, all heifers must have completed a standard health protocol as determined by the sale committee.

If you are interested in consigning heifers, or would like to request a sale book, contact Bill Doig at 614-873-6736 or e-mail bdoig@ohiobeef.org. Sale consignment deadline is Oct. 1. Additional information will be available on the OCA web site at www.ohiocattle.org, under the beef improvement tab.

— compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.