Beef cattle producers across the state will gain valuable insight on how to overcome bottom-line sustainability challenges in the cattle business during the Auburn University Department of Animal Sciences’ 2024 Beef Cattle Conference, October 3-4.
The conference begins Thursday evening at Lazenby Farms — 11546 Society Hill Road, Auburn — and continues Friday at the Stanley Wilson Beef Teaching Unit at 550 Shug Jordan Parkway Drive in Auburn.
With the theme of “sustaining our beef community future,” the conference will equip cattlemen and cattlewomen with the knowledge, insights, and management tools to improve their operations in critical areas of production.
This year’s conference promises to be an enriching experience with a fantastic lineup of guest speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities, according to Auburn Animal Sciences Department Head Kim Mullenix.
“Helping producers take advantage of innovations in animal agriculture are key parts of our departmental mission. We look forward to bringing our producers to campus to engage with our faculty, staff and students to learn more about practical concepts that can be adopted on Alabama beef cattle operations.” Mullenix said. “This is an opportunity for our stakeholders to interact with our teaching, research, and Extension expertise all in one program. Sustaining our livestock and animal industries is crucial, as they contribute substantially to the state’s economy and the well-being of Alabama citizens.”
Friday’s events begin with an address from keynote speaker Frank Mitloehner, an outspoken advocate for beef production systems and a professor and air quality specialist in cooperative extension in the Department of Animal Science at University of California, Davis. Mitloehner is also the director of the CLEAR Center, which has two core missions: research and communications. The CLEAR Center brings clarity to the intersection of animal agriculture and the environment, helping our global community understand livestock’s environmental and human health impacts, so citizens can make informed decisions about the foods they eat while reducing environmental impacts.
Mitloehner will address the conference on the misconception of beef cattle’s impact on greenhouse gases. The morning will also include updates and insights into issues and trends in the beef industry including a dynamic producer panel.
Animal sciences personnel will report results and updates on current beef cattle research supported by the College of Agriculture, the Alabama Agriculture Experiment Station, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The afternoon includes choices among six educational workshops: Achieving Higher Reproductive Success, Marketing and Financial Planning for Sustainability, Better Nutrition for Sustainability – What do I feed my cattle?, Advocacy Opportunities to Influence Sustainability, Local Processed Beef Options as Marketing Opportunities, and Secrets of Optimal Herd Health.
“With constant pressures to raise beef more efficiently and incorporate climate-smart production practices to maintain trust among consumers and society, the 2024 conference is designed to provide members of the beef cattle community a unique opportunity to get an update on important industry issues and ways to make their businesses more sustainable,” said Don Mulvaney, animal sciences associate professor and beef cattle conference chair. “Given the excitement in the current markets and challenges of today’s beef businesses, it is important to take time-out to learn ways to continue to remain sustainable going forward. This year’s conference is one that beef producers from all segments will not want to miss.”
The conference registration cost is $50 before Sept. 1 and $65 before Sept. 20, and it includes conference presentation summaries, content for afternoon workshops, the dinner reception and lunch. If Alabama county cattlemen chapter presidents register at least three paid members for the conference, registration for the president (or their designee) will be waived.
Mulvaney encouraged producers to register early because space will be capped at 150 attendees.
Registrants will receive additional information and updates. For more information on the conference, registration, corporate partnerships or youth discounts, contact Mulvaney at 334-844-1514 or mulvadr@auburn.edu.
