News Update
August 5, 2011
ARSBC Preregistration Extended Until Aug. 15
An early registration fee discount for the Beef Reproduction Conference at Joplin, Mo., Aug. 31-Sept. 1 has been extended to Aug. 15.
Beef producers have been distracted by dry weather worries,” says David Patterson, co-host and University of Missouri Extension beef specialist. “The new deadline allows them to come learn about the future of the beef business.”
The late fee of $25 will be added starting Aug. 16.
“There will never be a better time to upgrade a beef cow herd than after a downsizing and heading into a long upturn in cattle prices,” said Scott Brown, beef economist at the MU Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI).
The conference will, among many topics, describe what is becoming known as “The Missouri Recipe” for high-quality beef to meet market demands.
Much of the breeding research, based on fixed-time artificial insemination (AI), came from the MU Thompson Farm, Spickard, Mo., in the last 15 years. The AI protocols have been farm tested in Missouri beef herds all across the state.
The development of superior market steers developed out of initial research on the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program. Fall and spring sales of bred heifers have attracted buyers from 17 states to Missouri.
“As beef herds that have been culled in drought areas start to rebuild, we expect to see more buyers,” Patterson says.
For more information, visit www.appliedreprostrategies.com/2011/Joplin, Angus Production’s Inc. event coverage site made possible thanks to the sponsorship of the Beef Reproductive Task Force, LiveAuction.tv and SEK Genetics.
Registration Open for AgriLife Extension 2012 Agritourism, Ecotourism Professionals Field Course
Registration has begun for the Ecotourism Field Course for Professionals scheduled to be in Costa Rica and presented by the Nature Tourism program of Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
“Tourism professionals, landowners and community representatives can learn firsthand about the ecotourism and agritourism business from some of the best in the industry through this specially designed field course of Costa Rica,” said Miles Phillips, AgriLife Extension nature tourism specialist and course coordinator in College Station. The Costa Rica program will take place Jan. 19-26, 2012. Pricing information and details on course and tour activities can be found at http://naturetourism.tamu.ed.
“This is an experiential field course, which will provide tourism practitioners, ranchers, land managers or anyone else the opportunity to experience successful nature and agritourism operations and communities,” Phillips said. “It also provides the opportunity to learn about marketing, product development, guides and certification from business managers in a country that is a world leader in ecotourism and agritourism.” He said attendees will learn much to enhance or improve their own ecotourism or agritourism business during the program.
“In recent years, Texas has had some significant statewide growth in nature tourism,” Phillips said. “A 2006 survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes the economic value of nature tourism, including wildlife-related recreation, and demonstrates the importance of recognizing and promoting best practices in the industry.”
He said the survey stated that in 2006 about 6 million people in Texas participated in some form of recreation involving fish and wildlife.
During that year, anglers, hunters and wildlife viewers generated $8.91 billion in retail sales, creating $4.67 billion in salaries and wages, and supporting 139,404 jobs.
“The Costa Rica program will include visits to tourism operations and discussions with ecotourism and agritourism business owners,” Phillips said. “We’ll hear directly from them about how they have succeeded and discuss applications for Texas operations.” He said the group will be hosted full-time by a professional, certified Costa Rican naturalist guide and will travel by private transportation using a private driver. “This will be a top-notch educational experience that will include many fun and interesting activities for the participants,” he said.
For more information, go to http://naturetourism.tamu.edu or contact Phillips at 979-845-1023 or mdphillips@ag.tamu.edu. A detailed itinerary, Costa Rica slide show and travel tips can be found on the Nature Tourism website.
To register online for the program, go to https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and enter “Costa Rica” in the keyword search box.
Marshall Joins Genex Beef Team
Genex Cooperative, Inc. announces the hiring of Lorna Marshall as senior North American beef account manager. Marshall, who has 15 years of experience in the bovine artificial insemination (AI) and genetics industry, will share her expertise within the cooperative’s beef marketing and sire acquisition programs.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome someone of Lorna’s caliber to the Genex beef team,” states Willie Altenburg, Genex associate vice president of beef marketing. “Lorna is a highly qualified individual who will enable Genex to better assist large herd ranchers in developing artificial insemination programs and breeding higher genetic level herds.”
Marshall’s most recent appointment was as sire acquisition manager for another cattle genetics organization. In addition, she and her husband, Troy, own and operate Marshall Cattle Co. in Burlington, Colo.
For more information on the Genex beef program, visit www.crinet.com or contact customer service at 888-333-1783.
Minnesota/Wisconsin/Iowa Angus Field Day & Sale To Feature Baxter Black
The Minnesota/Wisconsin/Iowa Angus Field Day is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 14, at Chuck and Barb Skemp’s Queen’s Highland Farm near La Crescent, Minn., on the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River. Queen’s Highland Farm is located where Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa join. You will enjoy a day of fun and excitement for the entire family. The featured star, Baxter Black, described by the New York Times as ‘…probably the nation’s most successful living poet,” thinks it’s an exaggeration.
He can shoe a horse, string a “bob-wire” fence and bang out a Bob Wills classic on his flat top guitar. Cowboy poet, ex-veterinarian and sorry team roper, he has more hair around his lip than on his head. Raised in New Mexico, he spent his working life in the mountain west tormenting cows; now he travels the country tormenting cowboys.
Since 1982, Baxter Black has been rhyming his way into the national spotlight, and now stands as the best-selling cowboy poet in the world. He’s written several books (including one rodeo novel and its sequel), recorded more than a dozen audio and video tapes, CDs and DVDs, and has achieved notoriety as a syndicated columnist, radio commentator, and, more recently, with his TV program “Out There” on RFD-TV. From the “Tonight Show” and PBS to NPR and the NFR, Baxter’s verse has been seen and heard by millions. His works are prominently displayed in both big-city libraries and small-town feed stores.
Schedule of Events for Aug. 14th:
- 1 p.m. — The program will get under way at 1 p.m., when you can begin viewing the cattle.
- 2 p.m. — A fruit bar will open at 2 p.m. followed by guest speaker, Jon Janssen, Beef Procurement Manager at Genex, as well as Tom Burke from the American Angus Hall of Fame.
- 3 p.m. — About 3 p.m. the Angus sale begins.
- 4 p.m. — You won’t want to miss the legendary star, Baxter Black, cowboy poet and comedian extraordinaire.
- 5 p.m. — This electrifying day will conclude with a delicious “corn feed.”
There is no charge for this event. The entire afternoon is free, compliments of the Minnesota/Wisconsin/Iowa Angus breeders. For more information call 507-643-6362 or 816-853-2697.
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