Registration is open for the Arizona Cow-Calf Symposium for Commercial Western Ranchers
To Register: Email Chuck Backus cbackus@asu.edu Include your name, address, email and phone number.
The symposium will be held in the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton
1011 West Holmes Avenue, Mesa, Arizona 85210:
Phone (480) 833-5555; Fax (480) 649-1886.
Herd Improvement and Bull Selection
A Cow-Calf Symposium for Commercial Western Ranchers
Friday, February 18, 2022
12:30 PM– Introduction and Overview
Chuck Backus, AZ Rancher (ACIF Trustee & Symposium organizer)
1:00 PM – National Beef Cattle Status/Trends – the Importance for Commercial Ranchers - (Paul Dykstra, Certified Angus Beef)
1:30 PM - Historical Perspective of Cattle Genetics – A timeline of understanding and using techniques for Herd Improvement
(Genetics, DNA, EPDs, GE-EPDs, RFI, etc.) (Dr. Matt Spangler, U Neb)
2:15 PM Current & Future Genetic Research and Projections
(Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, Prof, UC Davis)
3:00 PM - Break
3:15 PM Other Methods of Herd Improvement – Crossbreeding, etc.
(Dr. Robert Weaber, Prof, Kansas State Univ. & Pres. BIF)
4:00 PM - Panel on Genetics & Herd Improvement
(Spangler, Van Eenennaam, Weaber, Dykstra and Backus)
5:00 PM – Cash Cocktail Hour
6:00 PM - Banquet
6:45 PM - A Simpler Selection Technique
(Lee Leachman, CEO/Owner Leachman Cattle Company, CO)
Saturday, February 19, 2022
8:00 AM – Setting Goals for Herd Improvement – Chuck Backus
8:30 AM – Alternatives for Selling Better Ranch Calves
Paul Dykstra – Producer Relations, Certified Angus Beef
9:00 AM – Replacement Heifer Selection and Techniques Available
Dr. Kelli Retallick – Pres. Angus Genetics Inc.
9:45 AM – The Importance and simplicity of, Artificial Insemination
American Breeding Service (ABS) – Roger Wann, District Manger
10:15 AM - Herd Improvement by Increase of Feed Efficiency - What it is, measuring it and saving 20% in Feed Costs
(Leo McDonnel - Midland BTC & Commercial/Seedstock, MT)
10:45 AM -Break
11:00 AM - The Terminology in Selection – Understanding and Using Bull Sale Catalogs - (Using EPDs, Measurements & Techniques for selecting Ranch Bulls) -
Bob Prosser – Owner, Bar T Bar Ranch - Commercial & Seedstock Producer – Largest Bull Sale in AZ
11:30 AM – Panel Discussion – All Speakers
(Dykstra, Retallick, Wand, McDonnel, Prosser, and Leachman)
12:30 PM - Box Lunch Available
