Organizers of the 27th Range Beef Cow Symposium are encouraging cattle ranchers and industry professionals in the region to get signed up for this year’s event. The two-day meeting will be held Nov. 16-17, 2021, at the Monument (formerly the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center) in Rapid City.
“Past symposia have been very popular with beef producers over the last 40-plus years, because they have presented useful, cutting-edge information for the beef cattle industry,” says Ken Olson, South Dakota State University Extension Beef Specialist. “The 2021 meeting will cover important topics in beef cow production including cattle management, health, range management, industry issues, meat quality and marketing. Anyone interested in beef cattle is encouraged and welcomed to attend.”
The early registration deadline at a reduced rate will end on Nov. 1, 2021, however, registrations will be accepted until the symposium, including at the door. A complete listing of the program and registration information can be found on the SDSU Extension Event page (extension.sdstate.edu/event/range-beef-cow-symposium-2021).
As in the past, a trade show with vendors displaying a wide variety of cattle equipment, products and services will be an important part of the symposium. According to Olson, vendor registration for the trade show has been active, indicating a dynamic trade show can be expected. Olson says, of particular interest will be the latest precision agriculture equipment for the beef cattle industry.
This year’s program will feature nationally renowned beef experts on an assortment of cattle production topics.
“An example of topics to be addressed is direct local marketing of beef to consumers. Amanda Blair and Christina Bakker, SDSU Extension Meat Science Specialists, will provide a thorough examination of cattle management and marketing needs to produce beef products that will meet consumer expectations and promote demand for locally grown beef,” Olson says. “Additionally, drought and its effect on forage and feed supplies is a timely topic that will be included. Ryan Rhoades, Colorado State University Extension Beef Specialist, and Hector Menendez, SDSU Extension Livestock Grazing Specialist, will address how to approach feeding cows through a feeding shortage from an overall beef enterprise system perspective.”
This year’s program will provide science-based information from the following nationally and internationally known speakers:
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Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Agriculture Economist, will examine the influence recent cattle supply chain disruptions have had on the cattle industry.
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Patrick Linnell, CattleFax Analyst, will provide a cattle and beef market outlook.
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Amanda Blair, Professor and SDSU Extension Meat Science Specialist, and Christina Baker, SDSU Extension Meat Science Field Specialist, will discuss cattle management considerations for local, direct marketing of beef.
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Ryan Rhoades, Associate Professor and Colorado State University Extension Beef Specialist, and Hector Menendez, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Livestock Grazing Specialist, will evaluate the use of a systems approach to feeding cows during feed shortages, such as drought.
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A panel of legislators and cattle producers will discuss the implications of the state ballot initiative process on policy that affects the cattle industry.
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New precision agriculture equipment and tools for the cattle industry will be demonstrated.
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