Registration open for the 2026 BIF Symposium and Convention in Boise
Registration is now open for the 2026 Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium and Convention, scheduled for June 1 to 4 in Boise, Idaho. Full registration participants can save $75 if they take advantage of the early bird rate by May 1.
Full registration before May 1 is $325. This includes two and one-half days of educational programming focused on beef industry profitability. It also includes the Welcome Reception on Monday evening, lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday and an off-site social with dinner on Tuesday evening. The student early bird rate is $250.
The hotel housing portal is open as well. Visit BIFSymposium.com and click on the “Hotel & Location” information link. The hotel block closes May 1.
Monday, June 1, begins with the Young Producer Symposium at 1 p.m., followed by the Welcome and Scholarship Reception. Both events will be in the Pioneer Room at the JUMP conference space in downtown Boise.
This year’s Young Producer Symposium is open to all attendees but aimed at the young, or young at heart. This year’s session is themed “Rebuilding the Herd” and will tackle two important questions:
- How do you select the best replacement females for a growing beef herd?
- What business skills are needed to equip the next generation of beef producers?
“The Young Producer Symposium is designed for the next generation of beef industry leaders,” said Bob Weaber, BIF executive director. “The symposium provides practical insights and networking to help young producers strengthen their operations through improved genetics, management and strategic planning.”
Tuesday’s general session will focus on “Beef in 2050: Investment in Beef, Cows and Research for Success.” Presentations and speakers will include:
- New Heights in Beef Demand: Consumer Investment in the Beef Value Chain — Dave Weaber, Terrain
- Beef Sector Economics: Supply-Side Inventories and Growth Opportunities — Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University
- Beef Cow Adaptability: The Western Range Cow (as an example)
- Adaptation Impacts on Biological and Reproductive Efficiency of the Cow — Tim DelCurto, Montana State University
- Economic Impacts on the Ranch System/Efficiency — David Secrist, Utah State University
- Public Investment in Beef Production Research: A Call to Action — Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Speaker Panel Discussion: Beef 2050 — Moderated by Nevil Speer, Turkey Track Consulting
Wednesday’s general session theme will be “Capturing the Value of Genetic Investments.” Presentations and speakers will include:
- Leveraging Genetic Decisions Across the Value Chain: The Simplot Story — Randall Raymond, Simplot Livestock
- Capturing the Value of Genetics and Management: The Country Natural Beef Cooperative Story — Tylor Braden, Country Natural Beef
- Beef x Dairy: Terminal Genetics that Drive Demand and Capture Value — Kee Jim, GK Jim Group of Companies
- Advancing Red Meat Yield: Innovation in Carcass Evaluation — Dale Woerner, Texas Tech University
Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon technical breakout sessions will focus on a range of beef production and genetic improvement topics.
Thursday will include two tour options, where participants can learn more about Idaho’s beef industry. One is a “conception to harvest” option, with stops such as CS Beef Packers, Simplot Animal Sciences IVF Lab, Reynolds Creek Calf Ranch, Colyer Hereford and Angus Ranch, Simplot Land and Livestock Feedlot and TLK Dairy.
The other tour option is a more diversified Idaho agriculture experience with beef-related stops, including Amalgamated Sugar Plant, PerforMix Nutrition Systems Plant (Nampa), Agri Beef/Snake River Farms Wagyu Bull Center, PerforMix Nutrition Dry Mineral and Block Plant (Fruitland), Boise Valley Feeders and Shaw Cattle Company.
For registration and more symposium details, visit BIFSymposium.com.
