Cattle handling techniques, demos planned for Beef Cattle Short Course

By Dr. Jason Cleere

Cattle-handling, safety and chute-side work will be featured at the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course slated for Monday, August 4, through Wednesday, August 6, in College Station.

“The highlight of the Wednesday morning cattle demonstrations will be a discussion on low-stress cattle-handling principles and techniques by Curt Pate,” said Dr. Ron Gill, Texas AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist.

“He’s a well respected stockman from Montana,” Gill continued. “He’s a rancher who understands the importance of production efficiency and the economic benefit of handling cattle correctly.”
The short course educational sessions will include a mix of information, addressing current beef industry issues and providing fundamental information on basic cattle management, said Dr. Jason Cleere, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist and conference coordinator.

“Due to the recent spike in feed, fuel and fertilizer prices, many of the topics covered will focus on cutting beef cattle production input costs without sacrificing ranch profitability,” Cleere said.

AgriLife Extension is sponsoring the three-day program on the Texas A&M University campus.
“One of the most exciting aspects of the short course each year is the cattleman’s college,” said Dr. Larry Boleman, associate executive vice president for operations at Texas A&M University and conference director.

“There will be 20 different cattleman’s college sessions for participants to select from,” Boleman said. “This year we have more than 70 hours of beef cattle instructional training through seminars, workshops and demonstrations taught by more than 50 different speakers.”

The Wednesday morning sessions will provide hands-on demonstrations for participants that feature cattle handling, chute-side manners, cattle selection, carcass quality, record keeping sessions and an opportunity to receive a private pesticide applicator’s license.

A new feature this year will be a tour of the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Texas Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.
Short course registration is $140 per participant if registered by July 28, and includes admission to the conference, a copy of a 300-page short-course proceedings publication, trade show admittance, tickets to the special Aggie prime rib dinner and additional meals and refreshment breaks.

Attendees can earn seven pesticide continuing education units, 15 veterinary credits and numerous Beef Quality Assurance credits.

For more information or to register, go online at http://beef.tamu.edu, or contact Cleere’s office at 979-845-6931.