Agricultural News
2015 Southern Plains Beef Symposium Set for Ardmore This August
Wed, 22 Jul 2015 17:40:44 CDT
Leland McDaniel, Carter County OSU Extension Director and Agriculture Educator, writes in the latest Cow/Calf Corner newsletter.
Mid-summer is upon us, the Oklahoma heat has set in and, although some will still be baling hay, much of the abundant hay crop is "in the barn". That means that it is time, once again, for the Southern Plains Beef Symposium. This will be the 25th Anniversary of the Southern Plains Beef Symposium held on August 8 and The Ardmore Convention Center, and it is recognized as the preeminent one-day beef producer meeting in the country.
There is an old adage, during times of abnormally high cattle markets, that "there is more room at the bottom than there is at the top". The drought, and its consequential sell-down of cows, recreational land ownership, development, and the loss of grazing acres to corn and other crops has stood that adage on its ears for the last few years. So, what does the future hold? Can we or will we rebuild our national cowherd numbers? How much downward pressure will the expected increase in cowherd inventory have on cattle markets? Will beef, in the next 25 years, continue to be a staple food or will it become a luxury item, such as lobster or crab? These and other related questions are the foundation for the theme of this year's Southern Plains Beef Symposium.
For the program agenda, we have assembled a diverse and well-respected group of speakers to address the questions posed above, and much more.
-- Looking for Value During Hard Times Brad Morgan, Stillwater, Ok.; Sr. Director of Protein, Performance Food Group
-- West Texas A&M PrimeOne; What are we Doing and Where Are We? Ty Lawrence, Canyon, Tx.; Assoc. Prof. Animal Science, West Texas A&M University
-- Grass-fed Beef; Emerging Market or Niche Market? Charlie Bradbury, Huntsville, Tx.; Regional Beef Division, JBS
-- Consumer Trends that Affect Your Bottom Line Jayson Lusk, Willard Sparks Endowed Chair, Ag. Econ., Oklahoma State University
-- Calf Implant Update and Industry Trends David Lalman, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist; Oklahoma State University
-- How Long Will Beef's Strong Market Position Last? Jim Robb, Fort Collins, Co.; Director, Livestock Marketing Information Center
As always, there will be an outstanding trade show of approximately 50 booths, representing all segments of the industry, for you to visit. There will be hourly door-prize drawings, and Grand Prize drawings for $100, $250, and $500 cash at the end of the program. All paid participants will be treated to a smoked Prime Rib dinner, and complimentary refreshments and boot shines will be available throughout the day. For more information and to send your registration in, please visit http://www.southernplainsbeefsymposium.org/Index.html. We look forward to seeing you there and bring a friend or neighbor!
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