LANCASTER, Wis. — Beef producers looking to learn, network or simply socialize off the farm are encouraged to attend the Stockmanship & Stewardship event in Lancaster, Wis., on Aug. 28 and 29. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Extension organizations, beef councils, and cattlemen’s associations across Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin have joined forces to bring this unique event to the Midwest.
Starting off strong on Wednesday afternoon, Culver’s Restaurants Marketing and Public Relations Manager Allison Demer discusses Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project. Following the keynote address, breakout sessions begin with topics including vitamin and mineral impacts on cattle performance from conception to harvest, hairy heel wart management in beef cattle, good stewardship practices for winter manure management, and proper management of new cattle in the feedyard. Participants will also be treated to a tour of the University of Wisconsin-Lancaster Ag Research Station to discover new projects in soil conservation and grazing. During the tour, UW-Extension educators and specialists will cover topics including pasture management, fitness for transport, and truck and trailer inspections.
Leading off Thursday morning, Dr. Ron Gill and Curt Pate will lead a live cattle demonstration and a chute side discussion. They highlight low-stress handling with special attention to using the animals’ natural instincts while keeping handlers and cattle safe. Additionally, they discuss the differences between handling beef cattle and beef x dairy cross cattle. This demonstration is sure to equip farmers with the knowledge and confidence to handle cattle with minimal stress, leading to a calmer and more productive herd.
After the demonstration with Gill and Pate, participants will hear results from the 2022 National Beef Quality Audit and discuss carcass quality defects with packing plant representatives. Rounding out the event will be a panel discussion on using genetics to select for sustainability. To top it all off, those who need to renew their BQA (Beef Quality Assurance) certification can complete a test to extend their certification for another three years. Talk about checking things off that to-do list!
Registration for the Stockmanship & Stewardship event is $75 and includes three meals. For more information, including the complete agenda, fees, and registration form, visit www.StockmanshipAndStewardship.org. A list of local hotels can also be found at this site. Cattle producers attending Stockmanship & Stewardship are eligible for reimbursement through the Rancher Resilience Grant. To apply for a grant to cover registration costs and two nights hotel, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant. (Links to third-party websites should not be considered an endorsement by the Beef Checkoff of the actual website or the company or organization that owns/manages that website.)
— Wisconsin Beef Council and UW-Extension
