CORPUS CHRISTI The 2000-2001 Ranch to Rail-South Field Day is scheduled for May 1 at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center on Hwy. 44 between Corpus Christi and Robstown.
According to Dr. Joe Paschal, Texas Agricultural Extension Service livestock specialist and Ranch to Rail-South coordinator, the field day will begin at 8 a.m. with registration and coffee and pan dulce (sweet bread).
The program begins at 9 a.m. with the results of the program under way at Hondo Creek Feed Yard at Edroy. A total of 447 steers from 48 ranches across Texas are participating in the program.
Presentations will include results of the 2000 National Beef Quality Audit by Dr. Dan Hale, meats specialist with the Extension Service, and the use of Grid Marketing by Dr. Davey Griffin, Extension meats specialist.
Dr. Larry Falconer, Extension agricultural economist, will give a market outlook with special emphasis on cattle prices and beef demand.
Charlie Bradbury of Beefmaster Cattlemen, will discuss the Nolan Ryan Tender Aged Beef Program.
Additionally, an update on the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Beef Quality Assurance Programs will be given.
Ranchers should have some idea of whats ahead of them in terms of what the industry expects as well as what the consumer wants. Sometimes the two sides dont meet. We hope to address some of these issues, Paschal stated.
At noon, participants will travel about 15 miles to Hondo Creek Feed Yard for a beef barbecue lunch. The lunch is sponsored by the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
At the Hondo Creek Feed Yard, Manager Terry Hennig will discuss the performance of this years Ranch to Rail-South steers.
According to Hennig, This years steers were in excellent shape on arrival . . . the consignors are really interested in sending cattle that are straightened out health-wise so that they can get the best performance out of their steers in the yard.
A check of weights at re-implant on Dec. 28 indicated an average daily gain of 3.5 pounds per day.
Also at the feedyard, Dr. M.G. Scroggs and Tony Shanks, Merial Animal Health, will discuss the results of improper injection sites and doses.
Consignors and program participants also can tour the yard and look at the Ranch to Rail-South cattle remaining on feed.
Advance reservations are requested to determine the exact number of meals to prepare. Please call Paschal at (361) 265-9203 or Terry Hennig, (361) 368-4171 for more information.
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