Cattle Buying, Steak Sampling Coming To The 2024 Beef And Forage Field Day In Hope

BRITTANEY MANN

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

Researchers and extension specialists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will present on future forage programs, hay verification and winter feed options at the Beef and Forage Field Day next month.

The event is scheduled to take place on April 5 at the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope. Those interested in registering or learning more about the event can contact the center at 870-777-9702. There is no cost to register.

Alongside the research and extension updates, Daniel Rivera, associate professor of animal science and the center’s director, will be introducing Jonathan Kubesch, a new assistant professor and forage specialist who starts with the Division of Agriculture on April 1. Experts from outside the Division of Agriculture will also discuss cattle markets and outlooks and the proper management of vaccines for cattle health.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to compare steak samples from cattle that were finished at the station against steak bought from a grocery store. This was made possible as part of an Arkansas Beef Council grant, Rivera said.

“I am excited to showcase the projects we have done at the station, as well as having a local order buyer discuss discounts and premiums and have that visual example for the producers,” he said.

A cattle order buyer purchases cattle at livestock auctions, usually on behalf of another party, like a stocker operator, feedlot or meat processing company.

“Hopefully producers can come away with insight on what type of cattle they should be producing,” Rivera said.

Rivera thanked the Ouachita district extension ag agents for working with him to put the event together.

Speakers and topics:

• Kubesch will discuss his upcoming forage programs with the Division of Agriculture.
• Michelle Johnson, a graduate research assistant in the department of animal science, will share updates on her beef finishing study.
• Les Walz, agriculture and forages educator, will discuss the hay verification program.
• Maggie Justice, assistant professor and beef cattle specialist, will discuss winter feed options.
• Jake Cartwright, director of commodity activities and economics for beef, equine and dairy, for AR Farm Bureau.
• Ken Blue, senior food animal technical consultant at Elanco, and Harold Newcomb, technical services veterinarian at Merck Animal Health, will host a veterinarian roundtable to discuss vaccines and methods to improve calf health.
• Lanny Ford, owner of F&F Cattle, will discuss the good and bad traits he looks for when purchasing cattle.

The schedule is as follows: 

• 9:00-9:30 — Registration
• 9:30-9:45 — Future forage programs with Kubesch
• 9:45-10:00 — Beef finishing study with Johnson
• 10:00-10:30 — Hay verification program with Walz
• 10:30-11:00 — Winter feed options with Justice
• 11:00-11:30 — Cattle Market Outlook with Cartwright
• 11:30-12:30 — Veterinarian roundtable on vaccines and methods to improve calf health with Blue and Newcomb
• 1:00 — Premiums and discounts in purchasing feeder/stocker cattle with Lanny Ford, F&F Cattle

Lunch will be served from 12:30-1:00 p.m. ∆

BRITTANEY MANN: University of Arkansas