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COLLEGE STATION – The 51st Annual Texas A&M University Beef Cattle Short Course held Aug. 1-3 at Rudder Tower on campus here.
The beef industry is changing rapidly and this year's program will address some of those changes, said Dr. Larry Boleman, assistant deputy vice chancellor at Texas A&M and conference coordinator.
"The 2005 short course is one of the most important programs of the year for today's beef producers looking to the future," Boleman said. "Throughout short course planning meetings, producers tell us they have a great interest in national animal identification, marketing issues, and of course, practical and efficient production management practices."
Other topics are the use of genetic markers in beef production, the effectiveness of artificial insemination in commercial herds, pasture and forage management, cattle handling techniques, business management, beef cattle supplementation, and establishment of a herd health program.
The course features the "Cattleman's College" on Aug. 1-3. Participants will be able to choose workshops and topics from about 15 subjects. Concurrent workshops will feature information on nutrition, reproduction, management, genetics, selection, pastures and carcass evaluation. The live animal demonstrations will focus on chute-side calf working, cattle behavior, penning and sorting.
General sessions offered during the afternoons of Aug. 1-2 will cover the National Animal Identification System, beef export markets, source and age verification of cattle, and other industry issues and trends.
"The Beef Cattle Short Course always offers the latest cutting-edge concepts and the newest topics with the best speakers in the nation to keep our producers informed," said Dr. Jason Cleere, Extension beef cattle specialist and conference educational program coordinator.
One concurrent session will address the issue of increasing fertilizer costs. Another new program this year will be a "Brush Busters" workshop that will give the specifics of controlling major brush species.
Producers also will be able to obtain a Pesticide Applicators License, and licensed producers will have numerous opportunities to obtain continuing education units.
In addition, the trade show will feature more than 90 agricultural businesses or service exhibits in Rudder Tower.
The short course begins at 8 a.m. each day. Registration is $120 per participant and includes educational materials, a copy of the Beef Cattle Short Course Proceedings, trade show admittance, tickets to the special prime rib dinner, three additional meals and refreshments.
Producers interested in attending may register online at http://animalscience.tamu.edu or contact Texas A&M department of animal science at (979) 845-6931 for more information.
