Texas Beef Short Course

2018 BCSC Tentative Conference Schedule SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 Rudder/MSC Complex 10:00 a.m. On-site registration and registered participants may pickup their registration materials. 10:30 a.m. Annual BCSC Scholarship Golf Tournament at Pebble Creek MONDAY, AUGUST 6 Rudder/MSC Complex 6:30 a.m. Coffee and Breakfast, compliments of trade show exhibitors 7:00 Registration desk open, TRADE SHOW OPEN in Rudder 8:00 General Assembly for instructions and orientation 8:30 a.m. to Noon - Cattleman’s College Sessions - CONCURRENT TRAINING Introduction to Cattle Production I Producers with entry-level basic information needs in beef production management practices will receive detailed training in nutrition, health, reproduction and beef cattle genetics. This session will feature a Q&A discussion with the experts. Forage Management I – Sustainable Pasture Management • NRCS Programs • Soil Health: What is it? • Cover Crops: Where do they fit? • Control of Weeds in Pastures: What are the costs? Nutritional Management – “How much should I feed my cows?” (Repeated on Tuesday) Participants are engaged in a lively discussion of cow size, digestive anatomy, nutrient requirements, forage quality and feeds and feeding. The audience will leave understanding the fundamentals involved in determining... ”How much should I feed my cows?” Applied Beef Cattle Breeding and Genetics Defining the “best” beef cattle breeds and crosses and how to use hybrid vigor and the new genomic EPDs, genetic markers, and selection indices for your production system. Beef Cattle Research in Texas This session highlights beef cattle research projects being conducted at Texas A&M University System locations across the state. Topics will encompass cow-calf and grazing aspects through feeding and end product considerations. Advanced Beef Cattle Health • Purchasing breeding cattle: Associated health risks and measures to mitigate those risks and vaccination protocols, parasite control, quarantine, post purchase testing • Feral hogs: behavior patterns and current methods of control in cattle operations and disease risk to associated cattle 11:30 to 1:30 Lunch served, trade show activities 1:30 Afternoon Program General Session – Issues Affecting Ranchers • Beef Cattle Market Outlook • Hot Issues: Animal Disease Traceability, Clean Meat Exports • Landowner Issues Affecting Ranchers • Extended Weather Outlook 6:00 Famous Texas Aggie Prime Rib Dinner, MSC Ballroom TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 Rudder/MSC Complex 7:00 a.m. Trade Show opens, coffee and breakfast, on-site registration opens. 8:30 a.m. to Noon - Cattleman’s College Sessions - CONCURRENT TRAINING Introduction to Cattle Production II – 365 Days on a Ranch What is the yearly production cycle on a ranch? When do I put the bull with the cows? When do I vaccinate? When should I start feeding hay in the winter? When do I fertilize my pasture? These questions and many more will be addressed in this introductory ranch management session. Pesticide Applicator Re-certification • Pasture weed control • Pesticide safety • Pesticide laws and regulations update Beef Cattle Health Management • Bovine Trichomoniasis: Role of female cattle in disease transmission and maintenance of disease in herds • Herd management ideas beneficial to lowering risk of sexually transmitted diseases of cattle • Current regulations regarding bovine Trichomoniasis • Panel discussion and Q&A: Veterinarians, ranchers and livestock market operators Working with Your County Appraisal District Understanding the property tax system in Texas can be challenging. This session is designed to help ranchers understand the system and be able to work with their local appraisal district. Ranching Around the World Ever wonder how ranchers in other countries raise cattle and produce beef? Now’s your chance to listen to speakers from Brazil, Panama, South Africa, the Dominican Republic, and other countries describe their production conditions and systems! Nutritional Management (Repeated from Monday) Forage Management II-Wintering the Cow Herd • Hay: Do you need it? How to use it? • Small Grain Varieties: Where do they fit? • New Legumes and Ryegrasses: What’s new? • Winter Pastures for Cows and Calves: Can I afford/not afford it? 11:30 to 1:30 Lunch served, trade show activities 1:30 to 5:30 - Cattleman’s College Sessions - CONCURRENT TRAINING Landowner Rights Ask an Ag Lawyer: Water, Oil and Gas, Pipeline Easement Negotiation, Eminent Domain, Estate Planning, Purchasing Property, Fence Law, FSA Disputes, and more. This session will feature a panel of four attorneys experienced in Ag Law. Through the Eye of the Storm: Dealing with Hurricane Harvey and Readying for the Next One This session will focus on response and recovery from Hurricane Harvey and lessons learned. Discussion will also focus on how livestock producers prepare for future events and resources available to recover and future proof one’s operation. Purchasing and Managing Stocker Cattle Stocker cattle are a flexible production option for ranchers. Lean more about purchasing stocker cattle and general management considerations. Rangeland Management- Tricks for Saving Money • Cattle Management: Stocking cattle to avoid buying hay, improving grazing distribution, using drones to reduce ranch labor • Plant Management: Low input natives- how to successfully plant, when and how- prescribed burning on the cheap, mechanical equipment-when its best and how to rent/afford Reproductive Management • Reproductive Efficiency: Impacts on the bottom line • Effects of temperament on reproduction • Managing for fertility and what’s new with pregnancy testing • Estrous synchronization and what’s new in Bos indicus influenced breeds • Estrous synchronization and early pre-testing to select replacement heifers Flies, Gnats, Ticks • Fly control in cattle • Update on Fever Tick issues • Tick control on livestock and an update on the latest tick research Purebred Cattle Marketing Purebred cattle breeds are the bases for genetic improvement in the US beef industry and are the early adopters for new genetic and other production technologies that promise success for their breeds and their customers. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8 Pearce Pavilion, Beef Center, Rosenthal, Freeman Arena, Hildebrand Equine Complex 7:30 a.m. Coffee and breakfast at each location. 8:30 a.m. to Noon - Cattleman’s College Sessions - CONCURRENT TRAINING Fence Building Demonstration This session will cover the different types of fencing materials and designs. Learn how to build pipe and wood stretch sections and string multiple types of wire during this demonstration. Brush Busters and Beyond A three-hour workshop with do-it-yourself equipment and specific methods for controlling specific brush species including mesquite, huisache, prickly pear, Chinese tallow tree, Macarney Rose, Cedar, Greenbriar, Cut stump and mixed brush options. Beef Cattle Business Management Workshop • Basic records needed on the ranch • Risk management options for pastures and forages • Tax management and estate planning update - 2018 Beef Carcass Value Determination Workshop • Beef grading and live market steer evaluation • Video of market steers, grade the carcasses, and price the cattle • Where is the value? Carcasses to Cuts Tractor Safety, Hay Production and Sprayer Calibration This session will cover tractor purchasing decisions, implement safety and a sprayer calibration demonstration. Live Cattle Handling and Chute Side Working Demonstrations From pasture to the processing chute, this session will focus on low stress cattle penning, working facility design, movement through the system and proper calf processing techniques. Basic cowherd management practices with emphasis on proper vaccination procedures, castration, dehorning, parasite control and BQA recommendations. 12:00 Beef Cattle Short Course 2018 - Adjourned