News Update
October 7, 2014
2015 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Registration
Open Now
Registration for the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show is under way. The 117th Annual Convention will be in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 4-7, 2015. Advanced registration is open until Jan. 10, 2015.
Convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends and enjoy an evening at the Cowboy Comedy Club & Mustache Bash After-Party. NCBA President Bob McCan says this convention is a must for everyone involved in the cattle industry.
“The Cattle Industry Convention is the oldest and largest national convention in the cattle business,” McCan says. “It is a unique opportunity to join other leaders in the industry to network, discuss policy and visit with the many trade show participants. Plus, San Antonio is a hard location to beat!”
In addition to access to all of the 2015 convention events, registrants for the full convention will receive a coupon for 50% off Roper and Stetson apparel and footwear at the NCBA Trade Show.
To register for the 2015 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit www.beefusa.org or email meetings@beef.org.
Follow us on Facebook and join the conversation on Twitter at #beefmeet.
— Adapted from a release by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Rebuilding Cow Herds Among Topics at Nebraska
State of Beef Conference
Cow-calf producers in Nebraska and surrounding states are facing a decision as their pastures recover from several years of drought.
Many producers are considering rebuilding herds that were downsized in response to the drought, but herd expansion carries both high costs and potentially big rewards.
“This is an important time in the industry, as people in cow-calf country will be making important long-term decisions,” said Jim Robb, director and senior agricultural economist at the Livestock Marketing Information Center (LMIC) at Denver.
“It’s apparent in the summer of 2014 that we’re beginning to lay the foundation for herd stabilization and the potential for herd growth back to predrought levels,” Robb said. “So what does that mean for the industry and outlook for prices?”
Robb will speak on this topic at the first State of the Beef Conference Nov. 4-5 at North Platte. He said his presentation is intended to help set the stage for a discussion of how the industry’s economic environment might unfold over the next few years, both domestic and export demand and, importantly, the supply side.
The conference theme is “Rebuilding the Cow Herd.” It is being organized by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR).
Plans are for the State of Beef Conference to be held every other year in Nebraska. It would alternate years with a regional beef conference, the Range Beef Cow Symposium. Information and updates about the State of Beef Conference are available online at https://panhandle.unl.edu/state-of-beef-conference. A link at the site has information for potential vendors and sponsors. A registration form can be downloaded from the site, filled out and mailed with registration fee.
Robb is the senior agricultural economist at the LMIC and for 20 years has served as director. The LMIC has provided economic analysis and market projections concerning the livestock industry since 1955. It is a cooperative effort among state university extension specialists, USDA economists, industry cooperators and center staff. UNL has been a partner institution since the late 1950s.
As producers consider rebuilding herds, Robb notes that there are several factors influencing their decisions. Many are weighing the high cost of cattle against the potential for profit. “The capital requirements required to make these decisions have never been larger, but we think the opportunities [have] never been better, either,” Robb said.
Robb will be one of the speakers addressing the economics of the cow-calf sector. About 16 other speakers will address categories such as restructuring breeding systems, expanding production with limited resources, and the shape of the beef industry of the future.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
Texas Cow Country Congress to Feature Weed Identification, Center Ranch Tour
Weed and huisache control methods, plus a tour of the Center Ranch, headline the 2014 Cow Country Congress scheduled Oct. 24 at the Center Ranch, 3582 Farm-to-Market Road 811 in Centerville, Texas.
Jo Smith, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Houston County, said this year’s program is one East Texas cattle producers will not want to miss.
“We think attendees will take home a lot of information that they can apply to their own beef cattle operations and hopefully add more dollars to their pockets,” she said. “We will have informative presentations on several topics, plus a tour of the Center Ranch where attendees will learn more about heifer development, view a pasture renovation demonstration and enjoy a steak lunch provided by Texas Farm Credit.”
Cost is $20 and preregistration is requested. For a registration form and to preregister, call 936-544-7502.
Walk-up registration begins at 7:15 a.m. with the program starting at 8:30 a.m. at ranch headquarters. The ranch tour also will feature heifer development, veterinary clinic operations and a cutting-horse facility. Along the tour route, producers will see pocket gopher control efforts.
State Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, will also speak immediately following lunch on legislative updates and issues facing producers. Other presentations include weed identification and control and a huisache control discussion.
“With cattle prices at historic highs, producing more pounds of beef is more important than ever, and that can be accomplished with proper weed control,” Smith said. “Some of the pastures in the area still have unwanted huisache and it can be a challenge to manage. There will be several management strategies and some of the latest technologies discussed that attendees will take interest in.”
The Cow Country Congress event is hosted by the AgriLife Extension offices in Anderson, Freestone, Houston, Leon, Madison, Polk, Trinity and Walker counties.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
South Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic and Trade Show
Scheduled Oct. 24
The 43rd annual South Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic and Trade Show is scheduled Oct. 24 at the Washington County Fairgrounds sales facility in Brenham.
Registration is $20 and will be from 7:15-8 a.m. the day of the event.
“All area producers are encouraged to attend to receive information that will help them make sound management decisions in their beef cattle operations,” said Kara Matheney, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent for Washington County. “A great list of speakers has been prepared based on the recommendations of the area beef and forage committee members from Austin, Brazos, Burleson, Fayette, Grimes, Harris, Lee, Waller and Washington counties.”
Matheney said Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, College Station, and Doug Pierce, division chair for agriculture at Blinn College, will start the morning session with a presentation and demonstration on heifer selection and evaluation using a variety of breeds.
Steve Hammack, professor emeritus and AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Stephenville, will follow up their demonstration with a reminder about the basics of breed characteristics for the cattle in the area. Levi Russell, AgriLife Extension economist, Corpus Christi, will discuss the economics of buying vs. raising replacement heifers.
Weed and brush control and fenceline management will also be part of the program.
“Each year the cow-calf clinic is supported by numerous sponsors and trade show vendors who will have booths, equipment displays and representatives on hand to visit with participants throughout the day,” she said. “This year the clinic is opening up the trade show to cattlemen who would like to bring in bulls or heifers for display. Anyone interested in the trade show can contact the AgriLife Extension office in Washington County for more information.”
Matheney said the Washington County beef and forage committee, in conjunction with Texas Ag Finance, purchased a commercial heifer during the Washington County Fair Commercial Heifer Sale and will raffle it off as the grand door prize at the end of the day. Participants must be registered for the entire day and must be present to win.
“After the meeting is adjourned, trade show sponsors, participants and speakers are invited to stick around for the social hour sponsored by Mike Hopkins Distributing and enjoy some beer-battered beef tips.”
Cow-calf clinic participants who hold a private, commercial or non-commercial pesticide applicator’s license will receive one hour of continuing education in the integrated pest management category and one hour in general. Beef cattle producers certified under the Texas Beef Quality Producer Program will receive beef quality credits for attending the clinic.
For more information and to register for the South Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Washington County at 979-277-6212.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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