Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course
Aug 5, 2019 6:30 AM
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Aug 7, 2019 12:00 PM (Add to calendar)
College Station, TX
Agenda
The Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course has a rich tradition and historical place in the programs emanating from the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. Dating as far back as 1942, Professor John K Riggs started the first in a series of Beef Cattle Short Courses held on the campus of Texas A&M College to discuss the results of beef cattle research from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station with Texas beef producers.
This historical beginning and purpose is still the standard today for the Beef Cattle Short Course held at Texas A&M University. Today the highly respected TAM Beef Cattle Short Course is nationally and internationally recognized as the largest attended beef cattle educational program of its type in the world. It has gained the respect from organizations, associations, Land Grant universities and agencies alike as the focal point for beef cattle educational information.
The Cattleman’s College features more than 20 concurrent sessions. Topics include animal health, nutrition, reproduction, breeding, genetics, selection, research, marketing and handling. Management sessions will cover business, forage, range, and purebred cattle. Topics such as landowner issues and fence building will be featured at this BCSC. Sessions are designed for everyone, from the newest member of the industry to the most seasoned producer. A number of pesticide CEUs, veterinarian CECs and BQA credits are available to attendees.
Additionally, over 150 agriculture-related businesses and trade show exhibitors annually attend the course and attest to the fact that it is the most highly attended activity of its kind anywhere in the United States. Annually over 1,700 participants attend the Beef Cattle Short Course to gain valuable knowledge about beef cattle production.
The 65th Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course is set for Aug. 5-7 at Texas A&M University in College Station.
The general session on Aug. 5 will focus on opportunities and challenges in the cattle business.
“Each year we strive to provide ranchers with basic beef cattle production information, new technology in cattle production and hot issues affecting ranchers,” said Dr. Jason Cleere, conference coordinator and AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in College Station. “This year our general session will cover a very hot topic. It will feature Frank Mitloehner, professor with the University of California-Davis department of animal science, discussing some of the misinformation regarding the impact of beef cattle production on the environment.”
Other general session topics include beef consumer trends at the grocery store and branded beef programs. An extended weather outlook is also scheduled.
The short course is the largest beef cattle educational event in the country and attracts more than 2,000 beef cattle producers from Texas and abroad, Cleere said. It is hosted by AgriLife Extension and the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M. Capital Farm Credit is the premier sponsor of this year’s event.
The short course also features 22 sessions covering basic practices, new technologies and other important industry topics. These sessions provide participants an opportunity to choose workshops based on their level of production experience and the needs of their ranch, Cleere said.
“Concurrent workshops will feature information on forage and beef cattle management, health, nutrition and reproduction, record-keeping, genetics, purebred cattle and much more,” Cleere said.
In addition to classroom instruction, participants can attend one of the program’s concurrent demonstrations on the morning of Aug. 7.
“There will be demonstrations on live cattle handling, chute-side calf working, brush management, fence building, tractor safety and beef carcass value determination,” Cleere said.
“The goal of the short course each year is to provide the most cutting-edge information needed by beef cattle producers. We have information everyone can take home and apply to their operations.”
Participants can earn at least nine Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide continuing education units if they are already licensed and 14 veterinarian continuing education credits, Cleere added.
An industry trade show, featuring more than 130 agricultural businesses and service exhibits, will also be held during the event.
“And the famous Texas Aggie Prime Rib Dinner is always a highlight of the short course,” Cleere said.
Registration is $210 and covers all meals, including the prime rib dinner, breaks and printed materials. To register, go tohttps://beefcattleshortcourse.com/ or call 979-845-6931.