By Kay Ledbetter
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a Beef Cattle Seminar for producers in Clay and Montague counties on Aug. 22.
The free meeting will begin at 9 a.m. at Pullen Angus Ranch, 17516 U.S. Highway 287 South, Bellevue.
“While beef cattle prices are currently up, there are many different steps that producers can take to help maximize profits,” said Bill Holcombe, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, Clay County.
Two general Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be available for those attending the program.
The meal is sponsored, but participants are asked to RSVP to either Holcombe at wcholcombe@ag.tamu.edu or Justin Hansard, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, Montague County, at justin.hansard@ag.tamu.edu.
Holcombe emphasized the importance of attending these programs for producers.
“Our job as AgriLife Extension county agents is to ensure producers have access to information from our specialists and research that will enable them to make the best-informed decisions for their operation,” he said. “Programs such as this are key to getting producers that information. Our sponsors understand that, and we incredibly appreciate their generous support of this program.”
In addition to the AgriLife Extension offices in Clay and Montague counties, this program is sponsored by Clay County Farm Bureau, Montague County Farm Bureau, Capital Farm Credit, Kerr’s Feed and Grain, Corteva Agriscience, Brand M Trailer, Envu, Pullen Angus, Central Custom Ag Aviation, Welborn 2R, Legend Bank, Prosperity Bank and Scott Cleveland of Texas Landmark Realtors.
On the agenda
The program will cover topics ranging from animal health, brush and weed management, cattle handling, maximizing price and value, a tour of Welborn 2R’s meat operation, and upcoming program opportunities for producers.
Guest speakers will include Ron Gill, Ph.D., beef cattle specialist and associate department head for AgriLife Extension in the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station, in addition to industry representatives Kevin Przilas, Merck Animal Health; Rayford Pullen, Envu; Colton Spencer, Corteva Agriscience; and Tony Dunkerley, Welborn 2R.
Gill pointed out that in dry conditions, it is important for producers to have the information available to make the correct decisions.
“Producers need to determine what they can do to manage their natural resources now so they can come back in with the good genetics and good cattle and be profitable again later,” Gill said. “If you graze your grass too short now, it will not be able to recover when the rain comes. You need to look at optimum, not maximum, when considering management of your natural resources.”
Gill will discuss chute handling, adding value to cows and bulls, the Beef 706 program, and determining the value of a calf at market time.
In addition, industry representatives Spencer and Pullen will present on products for brush and weed control, and Przilas will present on antibiotics and vaccines.
Source : tamu.edu