Producers can expect a wealth of education opportunities and a chance to sample the best the industry has to offer in new and tried-and-true beef technology at the 2024 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, Florida.
Tuesday, Jan. 30, includes a half-day grazing management workshop, aimed at producers seeking to improve pasture management, extend their grazing seasons and improve the sustainability and production of their forage and livestock system. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn how to create a grazing plan tailored to their operation, and experts will be available to discuss critical grazing topics including assessing and managing forage growth and quality, fencing and technology resources, optimizing water resources and more.
Cattlemen’s College 2024
NCBA has announced that the 2024 Cattlemen’s College sessions will be held in conjunction with the trade show all three days of the event. Cattlemen’s College begins Wednesday, Jan. 31, with a general session address from Dr. Clay Mathis, department head of animal science at Texas A&M University, on how the challenges the beef industry has faced in the past few years have created opportunities that can add resiliency to ranching systems.
Cattlemen’s College sessions will be held both in classrooms and on the trade show floor throughout the three-day convention and trade show (see schedule below). Topics covered will include nutrition, reproduction, genetics, sustainability, biosecurity and herd health, in sessions led by experts from the beef industry and the university extension network.
General sessions
The convention officially kicks off Wednesday, Feb. 1, with an opening general session featuring magician and former NFL player Jon Dorenbos. Following his message, the doors will open for the NCBA Trade Show Welcome Reception.
Thursday opens with General Session II, led by futurist, author and innovation expert Jim Carroll. This session takes a look ahead at the trends and technologies that are shaping the future of the cattle industry. This session will also include the BQA Celebration of Excellence.
Friday morning’s general session is the 2024 U.S. & Global Protein & Grain Outlook Session presented by CattleFax.
Sweet opportunity
FFA and 4-H members can receive free trade show admission on Friday – Next Gen Ag FFA & 4-H Day, which will include a variety of events and activities for youth and families. NCBA has announced that, courtesy of Culver’s, the first 250 FFA members to register will receive complimentary Friday NCBA Trade Show admission. FFA members and alumni are also invited to the Culver’s Blue Jacket Custard Social to mingle and enjoy some frozen custard.
Nationwide is providing complimentary Friday NCBA Trade Show admission to the first 250 4-H members who register. Nationwide is also sponsoring a special Learning Lounge session about careers in agriculture featuring Mary-Thomas Hart, chief counsel at NCBA.
To check out the full list of events visit convention at NCBA .
Education sessions
Tuesday, Jan. 30
11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. – Grazing Management Workshop
Wednesday, Jan. 31
9-11:15 a.m. – D.C. Issues Update
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. – Cattlemen's College General Session and Lunch
5-7 p.m. – Cattlemen's College in the NCBA Trade Show
Thursday, Feb. 1
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. – Cattlemen's College in the NCBA Trade Show
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. – Cattlemen’s College Sessions
1-2:30 p.m. – Sustainability Forum
3-4 p.m. – Cattlemen’s College Sessions
Friday, Feb. 2
8-10 a.m. – CattleFax 2024 U.S. and Global Protein & Grain Outlook Seminar
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Cattlemen's College in the NCBA Trade Show
10-11 a.m. – Cattlemen's College Sessions
1-3 p.m. – Cattlemen's College Sessions
