The Department of Animal Sciences at Auburn University will touch on the cow industry, factors influencing that market, updates on the research and the future of farming and ranching at its annual Beef Cattle Conference.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are about 25,000 cattle farms in Alabama, which help and benefit from the success of beef industry. The Department of Animal Sciences has been hosting a cattle conference for four years to help push that industry forward.
This year there are new findings on the future of ranching and farming. According to statistics, beef cattle production represents the largest single segment of American agriculture.
The American beef industry is made up of more than 1 million businesses, farms and ranches, and new innovations can add to their continual success. The conference hopes to highlight and uncover new innovations.
The conference takes place Aug. 13 at the Ham Wilson Livestock Arena on campus, running from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It gives cattle producers from different regions the opportunity to discuss the lucrative industry, which ranks number two in the agriculture industry in Alabama. The animal sciences faculty and representatives of Alabama's beef cattle industry put together a one-day program with presentations from faculty and outside speakers.
"It serves two purposes presently, an outreach educational activity for our stakeholders in the state, and then it also serves as an opportunity for the Department of Animal Sciences to report updates on research and extension activities as well as teaching it to that stakeholder group," said Don Mulvaney, animal sciences professor and 2016 conference chair.
This year's conference theme is "Playing Above the Curve: Innovations for the Cow Calf Producer." It will focus more specifically on calf production.
"There are several objectives to maintaining a successful industry such as the calf business: cow selection, development and breeding," Mulvaney said. "Faculty members will talk about the importance of forage production and utilization, meat safety, food security and efficiency. The faculty members have updates on how to manage ranch and cattle operation, not just for farmers and other stakeholders, but also for the allied industry."
According to Mulvaney, the allied industry includes representatives from the sale of animal health products and the pharmaceutical industry.
So far there is a high demand and limited capacity for the conference, so people are encouraged to register as soon as possible. There is a $50 fee, which also covers lunch, up until July 25 and then the cost will be $100 after that date.
Registration can be done online, by form or email. For more info, contact the Department of Animal Sciences at 334-844-1521 or jmh0046@auburn.edu
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