Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course Aug. 3-5

More than 50 educational hours, 20 courses aimed at helping producers increase efficiency, add pounds

While continuing high beef cattle prices have been good news for ranchers this past year, the industry is facing some major challenges, primarily with insects in the way of New World screwworm and pasture mealybug.

“The Value of Every Pound: Texas Cattle Market Trends” is the theme of the annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course to be held on Aug. 3-5 in Bryan-College Station. The event is hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science.

“With record cattle prices, every additional pound of calf weaned and marketed has never been more valuable,” said Jason Cleere, Ph.D., conference coordinator, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist and professor in the Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station. “Throughout this year’s program, participants will find numerous sessions focused on production practices that improve fertility, increase efficiency and add pounds to the cattle they produce.”

From the Texas Aggie Prime Rib Dinner on Aug. 3 to the Cattleman’s College, the internationally recognized three-day annual event offers producers more than 50 hours of training and 20 courses covering basic practices, new technologies and hot topics in beef cattle production.

Both in-person and virtual attendance are offered. Cost is $300 for in-person attendance and $99 for virtual registration. A $40 fee will be charged for in-person attendance registration after July 28. Register online, contact 979-314-8507 or email [email protected] for more information. Additional schedule information can be found at beefcattleshortcourse.com.

New World screwworm breakout added to program

“Our goal is to bring together leading researchers, educators and industry professionals to provide the latest research findings, practical management strategies and timely information that you can put to work in your operation,” Cleere said.

The Cattleman’s College will offer ranchers tracks in cattle production, forage management, nutritional management, ranching around the world, cattle genetics, beef cattle health management, agriculture technology, external parasites, reproductive management, picolinic acid training, research, “farm to fork,” landowner rights, rangeland management, and managing risk in grazing.

There will be a special New World screwworm symposium this year on Aug. 4, led by Karl Harborth, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension livestock specialist and assistant professor, Department of Animal Science, Corpus Christi, and Tom Hairgrove, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension veterinary specialist and professor, Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station. Highlighted in this segment will be:

• A review of the past, present and future, Phillip Kaufmann, Ph.D., head of the Texas A&M Department of Entomology.
• Current status, TR Lansford, DVM, Texas Animal Health Commission deputy executive director and assistant state veterinarian, Austin.
• Ectoparasites’ contributions to NWS infestations, Pete Teel, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research entomologist and Regents Professor, Department of Entomology.
• Neonate calf care, Chris Womack, DVM, Los Caballos Veterinary Clinic, San Angelo.
• New World Screwworm Producer Field Guide, Jason Smith, Ph.D., beef cattle specialist and associate professor, the Texas A&M AgriLife High Plains Research and Extension Center at Canyon and Department of Animal Science.
• Discussion panel with Lansford, Teel, Womack, Smith; and Riley Rhodes, Live Oak Market; Brad Roeder, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, Gillespie County; and Admiral Michael Schmoyer, Ph.D., associate administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and director of the New World Screwworm Directorate.

Keynote speakers address market, weather and cattle

Not all of the challenges producers will face this year are insect related, so the general session will bring speakers from around the country to address those outside forces such as weather, land trends and how the markets are expected to shape up moving into the next year, Cleere said.

The “Long-Term Weather Trends” presentation will bring Colorado meteorologist Brian Bledsoe to the stage. Cleere said Bledsoe always includes a long-term outlook within the general session to give ranchers more information to help make future management decisions.

“Land Trends in Texas: How much agricultural producing land are we losing?” will be presented by Roel Lopez, Ph.D., director of the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute and Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management head.

USDA chief economist Justin Benavidez, Ph.D., will join the guest speakers to provide a cattle producer update from a federal perspective.

After that, David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist and professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, will present the cattle market outlook. 

Related events

The program offers 10 Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide continuing education units, CEUs, but this year a Private Pesticide Applicator’s License Training Course will also be offered on Aug. 5 for attendees to obtain a private pesticide applicator’s license. The training will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon, with the certification test at 1 p.m. There will be an additional $50 charge for this course and the training materials. To register, call 979-845-3849 or email [email protected].

Live demonstrations will be offered on Aug. 5 in the areas of fence building, reproduction, Brush Busters, beef cattle business management, chute-side cattle working, beef carcass cutout value and live cattle handling. These events will be located at the Texas A&M Beef Center, Freeman Arena, the Louis Pearce Pavilion, Rosenthal Meat Science and Technology Center and the Hildebrand Equestrian Center Auditorium.

A Ranch Horse Program will be offered on Aug. 2 at the Hildebrand Equine Complex. Registration is included with the full Beef Cattle Short Course registration, or for the ranch horse program only, registration is $125.  

Also, up to 32 hours of CEUs will be offered to veterinarians beginning Aug. 1 and throughout the Beef Cattle Short Course Veterinary Continuing Education Program on Aug. 3-5.

PHOTO: Participants will gather in Bryan-College Station Aug. 1-5 for the annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course and related activities. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)