Big Country Beef Conference set Aug. 20 in Abilene

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu

Contact: Robert Pritz, 325-672-6048, r-pritz@tamu.edu

ABILENE – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Big Country Beef Conference is set for Aug. 20 in Abilene.

The biennial conference starts with registration at 7:30 a.m. in the Big Country Hall next to the AgriLife Extension offices located on the grounds of the Taylor County Expo Center.

Robert Pritz, AgriLife Extension agent in Taylor County, said this year’s event will focus on the current state of the industry, along with beef herd management and range management.

“The conference is the largest and most comprehensive educational beef program in the Big Country,” Pritz said. “This program typically draws speakers and participants from across Texas. We’ve had a great year from a grass-growing standpoint, and with high cattle prices continuing, I expect we’ll have a good crowd ready for some good, optimistic information.”

Session 1 topics and speakers will include:

– State of the beef industry outlook, Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension economist, College Station.

– Agricultural lending for today’s cattle producers, Jason Gibson, branch manager/senior loan officer for Capital Farm Credit, Abilene.

– Packing plant virtual tour, Dr. Davey Griffin, AgriLife Extension meat specialist, College Station.

Session 2 topics and speakers will include:

– Cow size and efficiency, Dr. Ted McCollum, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Amarillo.

– The importance of preventative herd health management, Dr. John Davidson, senior professional services veterinarian for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. and president of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Shiner.

Session 3 following lunch will include the following talks and presenters:

– Value of weed and brush management, Dr. Charlie Hart, Dow AgroSciences range and pasture development specialist, Stephenville.

– Integrating livestock and wildlife operations, Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, San Angelo.

– Herbicide laws and regulations, Paul Weiser, Texas Department of Agriculture, Lubbock.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available for agricultural pesticide applicator license-holders — one integrated pest management, one laws and regulations and one general.

Individual registration is $10 by Aug. 14 and $20 thereafter. Registration includes the program and noon meal. For more information or to preregister, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Taylor County at 325-672-6048.

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