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Virginia Cow/Calf Conference to be Held in Staunton
Livestock Update, January 2007
Rodney P. Leech, Extension Agent, Animal Science, Highland and Bath Counties Monterey, VA
Virginia Cooperative Extension is co-sponsoring a cow/calf conference on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Golf & Conference Center in Staunton. The conference is designed to be useful for cow/calf and stocker/backgrounding producers of all knowledge levels. The time will also accommodate participants an opportunity to visit the Ag Expo at Fishersville in the afternoon. Topics covered at the conference include information on the current and future cattle market, Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex issues, mineral supplementation, and maximizing forage quality and utilization.
The morning session begins with conference keynote speaker, Dr. Ron Plain, Extension Agriculture Economist from the University of Missouri. Dr. Plain will speak on current livestock market volatility and market trends that producers might expect to see in 2007. Dr. Dee Whittier, DVM, Extension Veterinarian at the VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, will address concerns on bovine viral disease (BVD). BVD and related Bovine Respiratory Diseases have been recognized as a threat to cattle health for many years. New understanding of how the disease spreads and affects performance have introduced some important ways to combat its effects. Developed technology now allows better detection of BVD and is leading some countries to eradicate it. Whittier’s presentation will allow cattle producers to make better decisions about how to deal with BVD in their own operations.
Dr. John Hall, Extension Animal Science Specialist at Virginia Tech, will discuss the importance of minerals and mineral ratios as part of the cow’s nutritional program. He will cover how minerals can help with the novel endophyte fescue problem and other reproductive and nutritional concerns. Mr. Jon Repair, Extension Forage Agent in Planning District Six, will conclude the morning program with the topic of enhancing forage quality and utilization. Repair will present some data from research conducted on orchard grass stands with emphasis on maintenance and improving second cutting yields.
Following lunch, producers will have the option of joining the morning speakers for a panel Q & A session to answer participant’s specific questions from the morning topics. Sponsors for the Conference include Farm Credit of the Virginias, First Bank & Trust, Virginia Cattlemen’s Association and Virginia Cooperative Extension.
The registration fee for the course is $20 per person for registrations received by January 18th, or pay $30 per person at the door. The fee includes lectures, lunch, and proceedings. Contact any of the following Extension Offices to register: Augusta (540-245-5750), Bath (540-839-7261), Highland (540-468-2225), or Rockingham (540-564-3080) or mail your registration in to the Augusta County Extension Office at P.O. Box 590, Verona, VA 24482.
If you are a person with a disability and desire assistance or accommodations to participate in this Extension activity, please contact the Augusta Extension Office (540-245-5750) at least two weeks prior to the event to discuss accommodations.