Range Beef Cow Symposium celebrates 25th year with Cheyenne event
Cheyenne – The Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS), a biennial symposium coordinated by the Extension programs of South Dakota State University, Colorado State University, University of Nebraska and University of Wyoming, will feature two days of speaker presentations Nov. 28-29 before concluding on Nov. 30 with a new format this year – cattle handling workshops held at the Laramie County Community College indoor arena located in Cheyenne.
Overview
RBCS begins on Nov. 28 at 9 a.m. with an update on international beef trade from Greg Hanes with the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Jim Robb with the Livestock Marketing Information Center will then provide insight into factors affecting the 2018 outlook for livestock and feed grain prices.
Also presenting on Nov. 28, University of Nebraska’s (UNL) Mary Drewnoski will discuss range mineral nutrition, while Kansas State University’s Bob Weaber and UNL’s Matt Spangler are slated to debate genetic testing versus visual evaluation.
Two South Dakota producers, Craig Bieber and Troy Hadrick, and Wyoming producer Shannon Sims will share information from their respective beef operations.
On Nov. 29, a CattleFax analyst will share ideas with attendees for managing risk in the beef industry, Colorado-based meteorologist Brian Bledsoe will offer his weather outlook for the coming year, and Clay Mathis, director of the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, will speak on key drivers for profitability.
A consumer demand panel discussion with Cindy Goertz of Wyoming Pure and John Lundeen with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association will round out the day.
Highlights
Throughout the two-and-a-half-day conference, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from a total of 25 speakers on beef industry topics, as well as network at the trade show with nearly 80 industry vendors.
Evening bull pen sessions also afford the opportunity for attendees to engage and ask questions of the day’s presenters.
Another highlight, industry icons Ivan Rush, who retired from Nebraska Extension, and Doug Hixon, retired University of Wyoming Animal Science Department head, will share their view on the “History of the Range Beef Cow Symposium” during dinner on Nov. 29.
New to the symposium this year, on Nov. 30, the concluding day of the event, hands-on sessions will be held at the Laramie County Community College indoor arena, located in Cheyenne.
Participants will have the opportunity to rotate to three different 45-minute sessions, selecting from topics including body condition scoring with ultrasound, frame scoring, reproduction and artificial insemination with ultrasound, and range monitoring sampling and analysis.
The event will adjourn at noon.
Registration
With RBCS coming quickly, attendees can register at rangebeefcow.com. Vendors can use the same site to register for their space.
Registration prior to Nov. 15 is available for $120 per person or $60 per student. After Nov. 15, registration increases to $160 and $80, respectively. Single day registration passes are available for $50 and increase to $60 after Nov. 15.
For individuals who want to attend only the half-day, hands-on sessions on Nov. 30, registration is $35 prior to Nov. 15 and $60 after. Evening meal tickets for Nov. 28-29 are also offered for an additional fee.
Accommodations
Hotel accommodations are available at the Little America Hotel and Resort in Cheyenne, which is where the event will also be held. Reservations are available by calling 800-445-6945 or visiting cheyenne.littleamerica.com. Attendees should ask for the Range Beef Cow block. The block is reserved until Oct. 27.
