2018 beef cattle conference set for Aug. 18 in Auburn

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Cow-calf producers across the state will gain valuable insight on how to overcome challenges in the cattle business during the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences’ 2018 Beef Cattle Conference Saturday, Aug. 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Ham Wilson Livestock Arena at 650 S. Donahue Drive in Auburn.

With the theme “It’s what you learn after you know it all that really counts,” the conference will equip cattlemen and cattlewomen with the knowledge and management tools to better their operations in critical areas of production.

“Helping producers take advantage of innovations and practical concepts that will significantly improve their operations now and in the future is a key part of our departmental mission, and our faculty, in partnership with Alabama’s beef cattle community, have organized this conference to support the viability and long-term sustainability of animal agriculture,” said Auburn animal sciences department head Wayne Green. “Sustaining our livestock and animal industries is crucial, as they contribute substantially to the economy of the state and to the well-being of Alabama citizens.”

The conference will feature presentations by cattlewoman Lydia Yon of Yon Farms, a family-owned operation in South Carolina dedicated to raising high-quality Angus, SimAngus and Ultrablack cattle, and by nationally recognized animal handling expert Curt Pate. Yon will discuss overcoming tough challenges in the cattle business, while Pate will cover the how-tos of incorporating effective stockmanship principles into a ranch’s for-profit mindset and of increasing economic benefits through correct handling of livestock.

Animal sciences faculty will report results from and updates on research supported by the College of Agriculture, the Alabama Agriculture Experiment Station and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in the areas of reproductive management in cattle, forage management and nutritional supplementation.

Afternoon workshops will focus on the use of advanced technologies to optimize reproductive success, preparation for calving season, the need for beginning farmers and ranchers to find niches and beef carcass cut-outs and evaluation.

“The 2018 conference is designed to provide members of the beef cattle community a unique opportunity to get an update on important issues and ways to make their businesses more sustainable,” said Don Mulvaney, animal sciences associate professor and conference chair. “Given the challenges of today’s beef business climate such as attention toward animal welfare and producers ability to overcome adversity, this conference is one that cow-calf producers won’t want to miss.”

Conference registration is $60 before Aug. 3 and $120 after and includes a bound departmental report, conference presentation summaries, content for afternoon workshops and lunch. The registration fee will be waived for Alabama county cattlemen chapter presidents who register at least three of their paid members. Because space is limited, producers are encouraged to register early at https://aub.ie/beef.

For more information on the conference, registration, corporate partnerships or youth discounts, contact the Department of Animal Sciences at 334-844-1521.

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