Herd Rebuilding, Calf Health, Weed Control Top Agenda at River Valley Beef Cattle Conference
A new date, March 13, has been set for the 2014 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference that was postponed due to threatening winter weather.
The conference, to be held at the Conway County Fairgrounds in Morrilton, Ark., will offer a look at sire selection, rebuilding the cow herd, calf health and pasture weed control.
"With normal rainfall returning to Arkansas in 2013, many cattle producers are looking to return their cattle operations to production levels prior to the 2012 drought," said Tom Troxel, associate head-Animal Science, for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. "They are asking the questions on how to best do that. The 2014 River Valley Beef Cattle Conference will offer ideas to best address many of their questions and concerns."
Among the questions to be answered at this conference:
- What’s the most cost effective way to rebuild the cow herd?
- Should cattle producers buy bred cows, raise replacement heifers, buy bred heifers or buy cows with calves at their side?
- Bull prices have increased tremendously the last couple of years. How much can you pay for a bull?
- Due to the 2012 drought, weeds have taken over many pastures and hay meadows. What is the most cost effective way to control them?
- With calf prices as high as they are, the last thing you can afford is a sick calf. How can cattle producers keep calves healthy?
The River Valley Beef Cattle Conference is a joint educational effort by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and Farm Credit of Western Arkansas.
The conference speakers are:
- Bryan Kutz, instructor – Animal Science – "Sire Selection."
- Tom Troxel – "How to Rebuild the Cowherd."
- Jeremy Powell, DVM, professor and veterinarian – Animal Science – "Calf health and Preconditioning."
- John Boyd, professor –Crop, Soil & Environmental Science, "Pasture Weed Control."
A registration fee of $20 will be collected at the door. The conference is from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Source: University of Arkansas Extension
