SALEM, Ohio — Turbulent change has rattled the beef industry recently, leaving many producers wondering how to take the next step. A February meeting series called Managing Dynamic Change in the Beef Industry will guide farmers through the process of understanding today’s beef cattle business.
Topics to be covered include herd profitability; buying, selling and merchandising cattle; and planning for the future.
The meeting was developed in response to the uncertainty surrounding the beef industry, according to Ohio State University specialist Francis Fluharty.
“It just seemed like a really good time to focus on cow/calf management,” he said.
In particular, presenters will highlight reproductive efficiency and cost efficiency.
The first part of the series will focus on helping producers see where the biggest costs are within their operation. The series will then move on to traditional and alternative marketing options.
Pieces
Rory Lewandowski, Athens County Extension educator, said the program will also offer advice on evaluating feed prices, increasing the use of forages, and general cattle management.
In the end, participants will learn “what you can do to put all these pieces together,” he said.
Whether you have a small farm or a large one, Lewandowski said the series is a good opportunity for people from all backgrounds in all sectors of the beef industry.
Presenters include Fluharty, Matt Roberts and Dan Frobose, Ohio State University specialists; Nevil Speer, University of Western Kentucky beef cattle economist; Duane Lenz, manager of analyst services at Cattle-Fax in Colorado; Ed Smolder, West Virginia University Extension; and Tom Field, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Two locations
This meeting series will be held at two locations. It will be at the Highland County Training and Employment Center in Hillsboro, Ohio, Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25. The same program will be at Alexander High School in Albany, Ohio, Feb. 5, 12, 19 and 26. The program begins at 6 p.m. each week in both locations.
The registration fee is $50 for the first person from a cattle operation and $25 for each additional person from the same farm.
This series will show producers “opportunities and ways to utilize resources in an economic manner,” Fluharty said.
