News Update

Industry Events
Nov. 22, 2006

Risk management workshop
Nov. 29-30, Clinton, Statesville, N.C.

The North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association (NCCA), National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) will present the risk management workshop, “Marketing Your Way to Profitability.” The sessions will take place Nov. 29 at the George Upton Livestock Arena in Clinton, and on Nov. 30 at the Iredell County Ag Center in Statesville.

The two-day workshop features hands-on training for using futures and options and how these marketing tools can assist an operation.

Registration is required for the event, with meals and breaks provided. The fee is $35 or $15 for members of NCCA, NCBA or any of its state affiliates. For more information or to register, contact Bundy Plyler at (919) 552-9111 or bundy@nccattle.com, or Renee Lloyd at (303) 850-3373 or rlloyd@beef.org.

2006 Missouri Livestock Symposium
Dec. 1-2, Kirksville

The two-day event will take place at the Kirksville Middle School in Kirksville. The program will begin at 6 p.m., Friday, with a free beef dinner, followed by a presentation of the Northeast Missouri Livestock Person of the Year as well as a presentation by farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson. Saturday’s schedule includes presentations and panel discussions separated into different tracks including beef cattle and agribusiness; beef cattle and stock dogs; equine; sheep and meat goats; forages; renewable resources; wildlife and conservation; and around the home.

There are no registration requirements or costs for the event; however, tickets to Saturday night’s entertainment, presented by Baxter Black, are available for purchase at $10 per person. Call (660) 665-9866 to reserve tickets.

Visit http://www.missourilivestock.com for further information.

Ag marketing short courses
December 2006-March 2007, Texas

As part of Texas A&M University Extension’s Master Marketer Educational System, the Advanced Topic Series will feature nine short courses designed to help producers get up-to-date marketing information from experts. The short courses combine lectures, small working groups and simulation exercises into one- and two-day courses.

Courses are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and registration is required one week prior to the course.

Some of the courses include the following.

Advanced Futures and Options, $125, Dec. 4-5, Nueces County Show Barn, Robstown
Advanced Futures and Options, $125, Dec. 18-19, Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Amarillo
Marketing Plan: Feed Grains, $125, Jan. 22-23, Extension center, Amarillo
Crop/Livestock Insurance, $75, Jan. 30, Hondo Community Center
Crop/Livestock Insurance, $75, Feb. 26, Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Vernon.

For more information and a complete schedule, contact Steve Amosson at (806) 677-5600 or Mark Waller at (979) 845-1751, or any Extension economist or county agent. A brochure and registration form can be found at http://mastermarketer.tamu.edu.

Third National Conference on Grazing Lands
Dec. 10-13, Saint Louis, Mo.

The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) will host the conference, designed to provide a forum for exchange of information, an opportunity to identify grazing land research and program needs, and a chance to see new products and learn about new services.

Presentations will focus on building partnerships among agricultural, grazing and urban communities; successful management technologies for grazing practices; economic, marketing and public policy implications; and optimizing grazing land health for environmental and social benefits.

More information and registration information is available at www.glci.org.