2017 Grass-Fed Beef Conferences Scheduled For Two Locations
The UT Extension Grass-Fed Beef Conference is designed to help producers address the challenges of
managing forages, finishing cattle and marketing beef using pasture-based production systems.
Photo courtesy UTIA
UT Extension Offers Updated Materials, New Speakers
KNOXVILLE, TENN.
For the second consecutive year, University of Tennessee Extension will offer cattle producers a “one-stop” opportunity to learn about producing and marketing grass-fed beef. This year’s conference offers new materials and speakers for the benefit of those interested in grass-fed beef production.
Called the Grass-Fed Beef Conference, the educational workshop will be held on two dates at two locations in 2017: June 28 in Spring Hill, Tenn., and June 29 in Athens, Tenn. Both conferences will begin at 8:30 a.m. local time and adjourn at 4:30 p.m.
The same conference sessions will be provided at both Spring Hill and Athens locations. Educational topics will include:
• Considerations for Grass-Fed Finishing
• Developing a Forage System for Grass-Fed Beef
• Grass-Fed Beef Nutrition
• Branding and Labeling Considerations for Grass-Fed Beef
• Grass-Fed Beef Producer Experiences –Video Farm Tours
Consumer interest in purchasing local meats from farmers that use specialized production practices has motivated many cattle producers to adopt grass-fed beef production systems on their farms. Special claims such as “Grass-Fed” or “Pasture-Raised” are increasingly used on meat product labels, promotional materials and in popular press. According to UT forage specialist and conference presenter, Gary Bates, “Transitioning from a conventional cow-calf operation to pasture-based cattle finishing can present many challenges and often entails a knowledge base and skill set distinct from more traditional pasture management programs.”
Value-added activities related to processing and marketing can also create hurdles for producers transitioning to grass-fed beef. Other conference presenters include UT extension specialists in beef nutrition and marketing, and University of Kentucky livestock and forage management extension economist, Greg Halich, co-author of the publication “Producer’s Guide to Pasture-Based Finishing.”
Pre-registration for each conference is required by June 20, 2017. The cost is $40 per person per event. Lunch will be provided. To register, go online to https://tiny.utk.edu/grassfedbeef17. Conference location information will be emailed to registered participants the week prior to the events. The conference qualifies as one educational course requirement for TAEP Producer Diversification Value Added Sector only.
In addition to the general conference sessions, a free, pre-conference tour of UT’s Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center (MTREC) in Spring Hill will be offered on June 27 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT. The pre-conference tour will show participants some of the current forage and livestock research being conducted, including information on:
• Native warm-season grass trials
• Integrated crop-livestock systems
• Intercropping annual cash crops with forages
The pre-conference tour is free to registered participants from either the Spring Hill or Athens conference locations, but an additional pre-registration is required. ∆