3rd Annual CenTex Beef Cattle Symposium

26. Sep, 2011 0 Comments

Texas AgriLife Extension Service Beef and Forage Committees in Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hamilton, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan Counties are hosting the 3rd Annual CenTex Beef Cattle Symposium on Friday, October 28, 2011 at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton,. 2 TDA CEUs, 6.0 CCA credits, along with 2 BQA credits will be available.

The CenTex Beef Cattle Symposium is an eight county Extension educational program that is held annually in Central Texas. Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Hamilton, Hill, Limestone, and McLennan Counties are centrally located in the heart of District 8 with over 569,000* head of cattle in these eight counties, cattle have to be considered economically important to the area.

This event is planned by County Extension Agents, program area committee members, and Extension specialist. Annual attendance at this event has ranged from 100 to 130 persons. In 2009 the program was held at the Coryell County Expo, and the 2010 program was at the Texas AgriLife Research Center at McGregor.

CenTex is designed for each county to host the educational event once every eight years. Host sites usually consist of ranches, progressive farmers, etc but have been held in community centers and expos. Beef cattle are the primary subject matter area with educational topics relating to beef cattle but have included wildlife, natural resources, and depend on accessibility/uniqueness of the host site. Speakers have consisted of state legislators, Extension specialist, county agents, program area committeeman, subject matter specialist and the private industry.

The goal of the program is to offer quality relevant science based information to cattle producers of Central Texas. Participants will have access to agriculture vendors who set up booths at the event and the Steak meal is always a highlight. Every County Agent involved wants this program to become a traditional event you mark on your calendar each and every year. We hope you find the 2011 version of the CenTex Beef Cattle Symposium a worthwhile event.
*2011 Texas Ag Statistics

Registration for the program will open at 8:00 am. Topics for CenTex include: Theft Prevention Management, Marvin Wills – TSCRA Special Ranger; Beef Cattle Market Outlook, Dr. Jason Johnson – Extension Economist-Management, Texas AgriLife Extension Service; Restock and Breeding Strategies, Dr. Ron Gill – Extension Livestock Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service; Brush Buster Equipment Demonstration, Will Hatler – Extension Program Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Assisting with Difficult Calving Demonstration, Dr. Buddy Faries – Extension Program Leader for Veterinary Medicine, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and Niche Marketing, Dr. Jason Cleere, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist – Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

There is a setup fee for agriculture vendors, and any interested agriculture business vendors who would like to set up a display should contact McLennan County Extension Agent Shane McLellan at (254)757-5180 or s-mclellan@tamu.edu.

There is a $25.00 registration fee, which includes a steak dinner. RSVP is required by October 21 for meal planning. Individuals with disabilities who require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodations in order to participate in Extension sponsored events are encouraged to contact the County Extension office at least one week in advance to determine how reasonable accommodations may be made.

To register or for more information, call McLennan County Extension office, 254-757-5180.

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, Texas Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.

Shane McLellan
County Extension Agent-Ag
McLennan County
August, 2011