News Update
Feb. 17, 2010

Temple Grandin To Address Cattle Raisers in Abilene

World-renowned animal behavior and handling expert Temple Grandin will address cattle producers in Abilene, March 9 at 1:30 p.m. The free event, hosted by the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) and Pfizer Animal Health, is designed to further educate ranchers of the importance of proper animal care and welfare.

Grandin is best known in the livestock industry for her revolutionary work designing livestock handling facilities, as well as her strong advocacy for autism. Grandin has authored numerous books, including “Livestock Handling and Transport,” “Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals” and “Humane Livestock Handling.”

Her books “Animals in Translation” and “Animals Make Us Human” were both on the New York Times Best Seller list. Most recently, Grandin was the subject of the HBO biopic “Temple Grandin” based on her book “Thinking in Pictures.”

The event will be held at the Abilene Civic Center. RSVP by March 4 to 800-242-7820, ext. 192 or rsvp@texascattleraisers.org.

The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is a 133-year-old trade organization. As the largest livestock association in Texas, TSCRA represents more than 15,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families and businesses who manage approximately 4 million head of cattle on 51.5 million acres of range and pasture land, primarily in Texas and Oklahoma.

Grandin wil aslo be speaking on human autism at the Abilene Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. For questions regarding this session, please contact Melissa Richardson at 325-675-8636.

— Release by TSCRA.

TSCRA Teams Up With Texas Agrilife Extension Service and Beef Council to Offer Free Beef Quality Training in Greenville

Beef producers can get free training to help them become more competitive by attending the Texas Beef Quality Producer (TBQP) program on Tuesday, March 9 at the Fletcher Warren Civic Center in Greenville.

“The Texas Beef Quality Producer program teaches the principles of Beef Quality Assurance, a proven system of sensible management practices that help improve the quality and safety of beef,” explained Dave Scott, president of TSCRA.

“In addition, the program updates ranchers on changes occurring in the industry and what we must do to increase demand for our cattle. It clearly demonstrates how a producer’s actions on the ranch have a huge impact on the final beef product,” said Scott.

The session involves an intensive half-day of training. The certification program covers Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) principles, industry updates, record keeping, environmental stewardship and proper management practices associated with genetic selection, cattle handling, culling, vaccine and drug use.

Participants should RSVP by March 2 to the Hunt County Extension Office at 903-455-9885 or to TSCRA at 800-242-7820 or email sfox@texascattleraisers.org.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The program begins at 10:00 a.m. A complimentary lunch will be served. The Fletcher Warren Civic Center is located at 5501 S. Business Hwy. 69.

TBQP program is a collaborative effort of TSCRA, Texas Beef Council (TBC) and Texas AgriLife Extension.

Funding is provided by TSCRA, checkoff dollars from TBC and sponsorships from IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. and Pfizer Animal Health.

— Release by TSCRA.

NMSU-sponsored Ag Expo to offer attendees latest in agricultural technology

The latest information in production agriculture, from alfalfa management to advances in dairy production, will be available to participants of the 18th annual New Mexico Ag Expo Feb. 23-24 in Portales.

Participants will have access to the education and information they need to assist them in their day-to-day agricultural operations. New Mexico State University (NMSU) is sponsoring the event, along with Dairy Farmers of America, the regional Plateau Wireless mobile phone company and other local sponsors.

“The New Mexico Ag Expo is designed to provide anyone in production agriculture an avenue to have one-on-one contact with business dealers and people in sales and marketing,” said Patrick Kircher, agricultural agent with the Roosevelt County Cooperative Extension Service. “We paint a pretty broad stroke of topics so that we cater to the interests of anyone who attends.”

On Feb. 23, attendees can hear from wind energy consultants Robert Lumpkin and Rory McMinn on how wind energy affects local economies. They will share insights into the potential that wind energy can offer landowners and communities in the area.

Leonard Lauriault, forage agronomist for NMSU’s Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari, will speak on alfalfa management in eastern New Mexico, and Mark Marsalis, an agronomist at NMSU’s Agricultural Science Center at Clovis, will discuss re-evaluating inputs in corn and forage sorghum silage systems.

Scott Bagley, of Dimmitt, Texas, will offer two sessions on building a better stock horse.

On Feb. 24, Sam Smallidge, an Extension wildlife specialist, will conduct a seminar on the control of small vertebrates. The seminar has been approved for one continuing education unit through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.

Clay Mathis, an NMSU livestock specialist, and Boone Carter, an Extension associate in animal science, will discuss methods to effectively wean calves and they will also talk about the current state of animal welfare in the United States.

Ellen Jordan, an Extension dairy specialist with Texas Agri-Life, will talk about advances in dairy reproduction, and Elvin Hollon, director of Fluid Marketing/Economic Analysis for Dairy Farmers of America, will discuss current and future milk prices.

Kyle Dillard, of Milnesand, N.M., will offer a two-part working-dog clinic. The clinic will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

For those who want to learn the techniques of “speedy suppers,” there is a cooking school on both days of the event, hosted by Connie Moyers, an Extension home economist.

On both days of the expo, there will be an antique tractor parade and antique tractor games.

Kircher said he hoped participants would be able to get their agricultural questions answered at the expo and find new techniques to assist them in their daily business.

The New Mexico Ag Expo will be at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb 23 and 24. Parking and attendance are free.

For more information about the expo, including a complete list of events and times, and for directions to the fairgrounds, visit www.nmagexpo.com/ or call the Roosevelt County Extension Office at 575-356-4417.

— Release by NMSU.

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