Alabama Extension hosting Deep South Stocker Conference in August

Alabama will host the seventh annual Deep South Stocker Conference Aug. 6-7 in Montgomery. The conference is targeting cattle producers in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi. Dr. Kim Mullenix, who is part of Alabama Extension’s beef cattle team, said that producers need to develop some specific management techniques to run a successful stocker operation.

“All three of these states are dominated by cow-calf operations,” Mullenix said. “What works for a cow-calf operation may not translate well into a profitable stocker operation.

“Producers attending the Deep South Stocker Conference will learn management skills and strategies that will enable them to maximize their stocker program’s profit potential.”

The two-day conference will be held at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). Thursday, Aug. 6, will feature a dinner and entertainment at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association building in downtown Montgomery. A full day of educational workshops is slated for Aug. 7 at the Taylor Center at AUM. The conference will focus on the sustainability of the southeastern stocker cattle industry during a time of high market prices.

Duane Lenz, general manager of CattleFax, will be the keynote speaker Friday, Aug. 7.  In addition to Lenz, producers will hear from Extension professionals, university faculty, veterinarians and industry leaders. Key topic areas include regulations surrounding antibiotic use in the industry, and panel discussion focused on grazing management systems research, immunity and processing calves, loan acquisition and risk management strategies.

Registration for the Deep South Stocker Conference is $75 per person and covers all seminars, meals and educational materials. A trade show will be held in conjunction with the conference allowing stocker operators to network with industry professionals and to see products and services that can improve their profitably and product quality.

This conference is a joint effort of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the Mississippi State University Extension Service, and the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service.

For more information, contact Mullenix at 334.844.1546 or mullemk@auburn.edu. Full schedule information and registration will open for the conference in May on www.deepsouthstocker.com.