News Update
March 7, 2011

2011 Range Beef Cow Symposium Dates and Location Announced

The 23rd Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS) has been scheduled for Nov. 29-Dec. 1 in Mitchell, Neb. This popular educational event for cattle producers started in 1969 at Chadron, Neb., and is held every other year.

The RBCS is organized by the animal science departments of Colorado State University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, South Dakota State University and the University of Wyoming. The event rotates between Colorado, western Nebraska, western South Dakota and Wyoming.

The symposium continues to grow in popularity and is now recognized as one of the premier production beef cattle symposiums in the country. Focusing on beef production issues in the Western states, the RBCS regularly attracts 800 to 1,200 attendees and more than 80 agribusiness booth vendors for the three-day event.

One of the most popular aspects of the RBCS are the nightly “Bull Pen Sessions,” where the invited speakers are brought back as panelists and are available for informal question-and-answer sessions each evening of the symposium.

Additional information, such as the agenda, registration and lodging details, will be made available once it has been finalized. Participants are encouraged to mark the dates and plan to attend the 2011 Range Beef Cow Symposium Nov.29-Dec. 1.

For more information, contact Karla Jenkins at 308-632-1245 or kjenkins2@unl.edu.

— Release by Colorado State University.

TSCRA School Provides Training and Education to Ranchers

Ranchers and landowners interested in gaining valuable education and resources needed to protect their business should attend the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) 17th annual School for Successful Ranching March 31-April 2 during the TSCRA Convention Weekend in San Antonio.

“TSCRA’s School for Successful Ranching is an opportunity for ranchers to gain the education and resources they need to protect and secure their ranching operations during good and bad times,” said Dave Scott, rancher and TSCRA president. “The Texas cattle industry has continued to survive in part because our ranchers have access to valuable tools and information that help them make financially smart decisions.”

On Thursday, March 31, school participants will attend a special series of classes and live demonstrations. Day 2 of TSCRA’s School for Successful Ranching offers 10 classes covering a variety of issues including ranch security, ranching employment, animal health regulations, business and marketing techniques and wildlife management.

You can register online at www.tscra.org/convention.

As the largest cattle industry event in Texas, the TSCRA Convention is a must-attend for anyone involved in livestock production. More than 2,000 ranchers, landowners and members will gather for a weekend of outstanding programs, educational sessions, a trade show with more than 200 exhibits, plus networking and fellowship with fellow cattle raisers.

Registration for Convention Weekend is open. There are multiple discount options available for participants who register before March 4. A complete schedule of events, information on accommodations, and registration information can be found at www.tscra.org/convention.

— Release by TSCRA.

Ohio Livestock Board’s Vote Angers HSUS

A vote on veal calf confinement by the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board has angered the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which says it may jeopardize the animal welfare agreement they reached with former Governor Ted Strickland last June, according to www.FarmAndDairy.com.

In a 6-to-5 vote earlier this week, the standards board voted for confining veal calves in crates that do not allow the calves to turn around.

HSUS director Wayne Pacelle said this vote could cause his group to re-launch its ballot initiative campaign that would require veal calves to be raised in cages large enough for them to turn around. The HSUS had agreed to shelve the campaign after the June agreement stated that veal calves must be able to turn around.

Ohio Ag Director Jim Zehringer and State Veterinarian Tony Forshey voted against the veal-confinement standard on Tuesday. The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association also supports allowing calves of all ages room to turn around.

— Release by Brownfield Ag News Network.

Arthritis and Agriculture Conference to be in Lafayette

People interested in learning about the causes, prevention and treatment of arthritis in rural populations have the opportunity to attend the Arthritis, Agriculture and Rural Life Conference (AARL) May 11-13 at Purdue University.

The conference at the Beck Agricultural Center will feature keynote speakers, workshops and networking opportunities. Topics will include gardening with arthritis, rural women with rheumatoid arthritis, prevention in farm youth, health education, ergonomic workshops and solutions for enhancing the quality of life for arthritis sufferers.

The event also will include an on-site session at the Purdue Animal Sciences Research and Education Center. Participants will visit dairy, swine, grain storage, machinery and other facilities, where they can see firsthand the daily stresses that affect individuals with arthritis in the rural workplace.

Extension educators, occupational and physical therapists, nurse practitioners, ergonomists, members of state departments of health, farm business representatives and others are encouraged to attend.

“The AARL Conference is a new opportunity for rural professionals,” said Amber Wolfe, AgrAbility project coordinator at the Arthritis Foundation. “The conference will assist participants in becoming more aware of evidence-based strategies to aid farmers, ranchers and other rural residents battling the many forms of arthritis.”

The registration fee of $165 includes meals, reference material and tours. A discount rate will be offered to students. Registration information is available at www.arthritis-ag.org/arthritis-conference/arthritis-conference.aspx.

 Hotel accommodations will be available at the University Plaza Hotel at a rate of $99 per room per night. Daily transportation will be provided from the hotel to the Beck Center.

The conference is sponsored by the USDA National AgrAbility project, the Indiana chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and Purdue’s Breaking New Ground Resource Center. More information on the conference is available at www.arthritis-ag.org .

— Release by Purdue University.

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