MANHATTAN, Kan. – Implications of a new farm bill, drought and global weather patterns are just part of the backdrop as the U.S. beef industry works to stay competitive in the coming year. To address some of the challenges and opportunities that beef producers are facing, Kansas State University will host its 2012 K-State Beef Conference, “Thriving in the New Beef Economy” on Aug. 9 in Manhattan.

The conference begins with registration at 8 a.m. and the program at 8:50 a.m. in Frick Auditorium, Mosier Hall at K-State’s Veterinary Medical Complex.

For those who are unable to attend in Manhattan, the conference will be telecast to other sites around Kansas, including El Dorado, Parsons, Pratt, Wakeeney and Lucas.

The program includes:

• 2012 Farm Bill and U.S. Economic Outlook: Its Impact on the Kansas Ag Sector – Troy Dumler, K-State Research and Extension agricultural economist;
• Changes in the INS and OUTS of the Cow Business – Glynn Tonsor, K-State agricultural economist;
• Apply Lessons Learned from Drought - Justin Waggoner, K-State beef systems specialist and Bob Weaber, K-State cow/calf specialist;
• Define Your Product – Chip Ramsey, Rex Ranch, Ashby, Nebraska and Warren Weibert, Decatur County Feedyard, Oberlin, Kansas; and
• Weather Patterns/Global Warming and Implications for Agriculture? – Evelyn Browning-Garriss, The Browning Newsletter, Burlington, Vt.

The day will end with a panel discussion and the opportunity for questions and answers.

The fee to attend the 2012 K-State Beef Conference is $60 per person or $100 for two if from the same family ranch or organization. Registration is due by Friday, Aug. 3. The fee includes all conference materials and a noon meal as well as refreshments in the morning and afternoon.

More information and online registration is available. Information is also available by contacting Eve Clark at 785-532-1280 or evec@ksu.edu.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by: Mary Lou Peter
mlpeter@ksu.edu
K-State Research & Extension News

Dr. Larry Hollis – 785-532-1246 or lhollis@ksu.edu; Eve Clark – 785-532-1280 or evec@ksu.edu