Register now for the 2013 Master Cattleman Summit

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Cattle producers interested in improving the profitability and sustainability of their ranches are encouraged to register now for the 2013 Master Cattleman Summit at Oklahoma State University’s Stillwater campus next month.

The summit, which will include a mix of classroom and hands-on learning opportunities, begins at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, and concludes around noon on Saturday, Oct. 12. Sessions will be held in the OSU Animal Science Building, located just south of the intersection of Monroe Street and Hall of Fame Avenue.

“Our goal for the summit is to create educational opportunities on the OSU campus that are not as readily available at meetings and conferences out in the state. Therefore, a lot of the sessions are hands-on workshops or demonstrations,” said Dave Lalman, OSU Cooperative Extension beef specialist.

The fee for participants registering before Oct. 2 is $30. After that date, the fee increases to $40. To register online and pay by credit card visit http://orangehub.okstate.edu and select “Agricultural Economics.” Or download the registration brochure at www.agecon.okstate.edu/cattleman, and mail it along with the registration fee to the address on the form.

This year’s summit will focus on enhancing ranch profitability and sustainability through improved forage utilization, grazing distribution, fencing, water systems and brush control.

“After two years of severe drought and dramatically escalating input costs, ranch managers are more sensitive than ever to the opportunity to improve stewardship of their valuable forage resources,” Lalman said. “Attendees will leave Stillwater better equipped to make good decisions related to grazing management, brush control, livestock water systems, fencing, genetics and beef cattle enterprise risk management.”

The Missouri Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Mark Green, a well-known expert on management intensive grazing systems, electric fencing and livestock water systems, will serve as the summit’s featured speaker. Matt Spangler, associate professor and Extension beef genetics specialist at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, also will lead a session on genetic improvement for forage use.

“Mark will help producers improve their natural resources, better utilize the forage they produce, and thereby improve ranch productivity and profitability,” Lalman said. “Matt will share ways to utilize EPDs for risk management and discuss selecting animals that fit the environment and compensate for drought conditions.”

In addition, participants will enjoy roasted prime rib for dinner on Friday, prepared by the OSU Animal Science Graduate Student Association. OSU graduate student and rising country music singer and songwriter, Scott Shelby, will provide the evening’s entertainment.

The OSU Master Cattleman program has positively contributed to Oklahoma cattle producers, related agribusinesses and the overall state economy since it began in 2004. The program incorporates the expertise of numerous OSU academic disciplines and departments, and involves OSU Cooperative Extension state, district and area specialists, as well as county Extension educators from across Oklahoma.

For questions or additional information about the summit, contact Amy Lavicky at 405-744-6060.