37th Annual Central Texas Cow-Calf Clinic set for Jan. 5 at Youth Expo

Submitted by Cameron1 on

The 37th Annual Central Texas Cow/Calf Clinic will be held Friday, Jan. 5, at the Milam County Youth Exposition Building, 301 S. Houston Street in Cameron. 

This program is presented by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension of Milam, Robertson, Bell, Burleson, Falls and Williamson Counties. 

Registration is from 7:30-8:30 a.m. with the presentations starting at 8:30 and concluding at 3 p.m. Three hours of CEUs will be given for pesticide applicators license holders. 1-IPM and 2-General.

Please RSVP with the the Milam County Extension Office (254) 697-7045 for a meal count by Wednesday, Jan. 3. Cost is $20. 

Beef cattle production has faced its share of challenges over the last five years with drought, feed costs and input costs, as well as rainfall we likely won’t see again in quite some time. Beef prices hit the highest they’ve ever been and over the past two years met a sharp decline to some of the lowest. Producers now face what could be a dry, mild winter and an uncertain market in the New Year.

Topics for this year’s program will include Dr. David Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Economist discussing current market trends as well as predications and considerations for the upcoming 2018 year. A discussion on Cattle Evaluation, including desirable and undesirable characteristics, body condition scoring, and identifying candidates for culling, will be given by Dr. Jason Cleere Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, at Texas A&M University. Following Dr. Cleere’s discussion, Range Management Specialist James Jackson of Stephenville, TX will speak on pasture management and weed control methods including alternatives to 2,4-D application.

After lunch, a live demonstration on Managing Herd Health will be given by Dr. Jason Cleere, Ron Kramer of Idexx laboratories and Marvin Willis Special Ranger for Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Assn. This demonstration will focus practices such as pregnancy testing via blood sample, BDV testing, and herd identification and handling techniques.   

Following the live demonstration and wrapping up the day will be Dr. Sonja Swiger, Extension Entomologist from Stephenville, TX to discuss External Parasite Control what works, what doesn’t, and what new technologies are on the market.

The Central Texas Cow/Calf Clinic is one of the longest running Extension programs in the State. It is known for its success in meeting the needs of cattle producers both large and small throughout Central Texas. We hope you will join us again this year at our new location and we look forward seeing you there!