“The goal of the short course each year is to provide the most cutting-edge information that is needed by beef cattle producers,” said Dr. Jason Cleere, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist in College Station and conference coordinator. “We think we have information for everyone to take home and apply to their operations.”

Here is an overview of program highlights and speakers on Aug. 5:

  • The general session at 1:45 p.m. will feature Brian Bledsoe, Southern Livestock Standard weatherman  who will provide a weather outlook.
  • Don Close, vice president for food and agriculture research with Rabobank, will give a cattle market outlook.
  • Bruce Vincent, a logger and motivational speaker from Libby, Mont., will present “With Vision, There Is Hope for Ranchers.”
  • The general session will conclude with the Texas Beef Council Running Team Challenge.

Highlights and speakers on Aug. 6:

  • 1:30 p.m., Drs. Ron Gill and Bruce Carpenter, both AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialists from College Station and Fort Stockton respectively, will moderate a session on retiring to the ranch.
  • 1:30 p.m., Drs. Robert Lyons and Barron Rector, AgriLife Extension rangeland specialists from Uvalde and College Station respectively, will moderate a range management session. Topics will include how grasses grow, rangeland health and monitoring and purchasing replacement cattle.

Highlights on Aug. 7:

  • 8:30 a.m. Demonstrations on fence building, chute-side calf working, cattle behavior, penning and Brush Busters will be featured. A beef-cattle business management workshop is also scheduled covering topics such as ranch record keeping, and tax and estate laws. Also scheduled is a beef carcass value determination workshop featuring live steer evaluation and carcass fabrication.

An industry trade show will be held during the event, featuring more than 110 agricultural businesses and service exhibits.

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Individual registration is $160 and includes educational materials, a copy of the 600-page course proceedings, trade show admittance, admission to the “Aggie Prime Rib Dinner,” lunches, breakfasts and daily refreshments.

Registration information and a tentative schedule was mailed to previous participants in May, but can also be found on the short course website. Producers can also register by contacting Cleere’s office at (979) 845-6931.

Follow live Twitter posts throughout the beef cattle short course event using the #TAMBCS13 hashtag. Email media inquiries to Blair Fannin or call (979) 845-2259. end mark