2016 River Valley Beef conference: Antibiotics, pasture weeds, market concerns
By Mary Hightower
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
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- 2016 River Valley Beef Cattle conference set for Feb. 16 at Ozark
- Concerns over feeding antibiotics among agenda items
- Conference runs from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
(391 words)
LITTLE ROCK -- Feeding antibiotics, pasture weeds, market concerns and selection of replacement heifers on the agenda for the 2016 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference set for Feb. 16 at the I-40 Livestock Auction in Ozark.
A registration fee of $20 will be collected at the door. The conference is from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Cattle producers are very concerned about feeding antibiotics for the prevention of disease,” said Tom Troxel, associate head-Animal Science, for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “They want to know about the new regulations feeding antibiotics.”
Weed-friendly weather has put pasture weed management near the top of the concerns list for producers this year.
“Because of the tremendous 2015 spring rains, pasture weeds have taken over and producers are asking questions on how to control them,” he said.
Where’s the market headed?
The markets are always at the forefront for ranchers and the conference will have a nationally recognized speaker to discuss the market outlook, Troxel said.
“After a long term decline in the cattle market throughout the spring and summer months of 2015 and the projected increase in cattle numbers and production in 2016, producers want to know how will those factors affect the selling prices of cattle,” he said.
Participants will also hear about selecting replacement heifers. The conference will include a live animal evaluation. This segment will use heifers sold through a sale barn to demonstration what a cow-calf producer should look for when purchasing young replacement heifers in a sale barn. This promises to be a very interesting demonstration.
The conference speakers are:
- Heidi Ward, Assistant professor and extension veterinarian for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture – “Feeding Antibiotics – The Change is Here!”
- John Boyd, professor and extension weed specialist for the UofA Division of Agriculture -- “Pasture Weed Control”
- Jim Robb, senior agricultural economist for the Livestock Marketing Information Center – “Cattle Market Outlook”
- Kent Reading, sale barn owner and operator - “Heifer Selection”
The River Valley Beef Cattle Conference is a joint educational effort by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.
To learn more about cattle production, contact your county extension office, or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your county extension office as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
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