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Farm News: WI Cattle Groups Head Back To The DellscommentsPosted: 12.08.2011
The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association and the Wisconsin Cattlewomen’s Association proudly announce their annual Winter Conference will be held at the Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, on February 10 and 11, 2012. Once again this year we welcome our co-sponsors: The Wisconsin Angus Association, The Wisconsin Hereford Association and The Wisconsin Shorthorn Association.
The Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association and cooperating organizations hope to build on the success of the joint conference that was held last year. Over 300 producers and members of the Wisconsin beef industry joined together for the 2 day event in 2011. The groups are looking forward to another great opportunity for the Wisconsin beef industry to gather and interact for an informative and entertaining weekend.
This year’s conference will feature a full day of educational sessions and meetings presented by the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association on Friday, February 10th. Saturday, February 11th, will include the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s, Wisconsin Angus, Wisconsin Hereford, and Wisconsin Shorthorn Associations’ annual meetings. In addition on Saturday there will be two educational sessions to fill out the program.
This year’s educational programs will cover a variety of interests. Speakers will cover topics including areas such as nutrition, marketing, genetics, cattle handling, and legislative matters. Speakers and topics of the conference include:
Ø Dr. Amy Radunz, University of Wisconsin Extension Beef Specialist, and John Freitag, WI Beef Council Executive Director, will present “Cattle Are What They Eat: How the Diet of Cattle Affects Palatability Traits and Nutrient Composition of Beef.” The presentation will include a free beef tasting!
Ø Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company, will speak on “The Economic Landscape of World Cattle and Grain Markets.”
Ø Dr. Kurt Vogel, UW-River Falls Assistant Professor of Livestock Welfare & Behavior, will speak on “Animal Welfare for Beef Producers: What to Measure and How to Use It.”
Ø Ohio's nationally known agriculture broadcaster and journalist, Andy Vance, will present “YouTube-Proofing Agriculture: Lessons Learned from HSUS and Oprah.” Andy will share insights and lessons from his experience covering Ohio's battle with animal rights juggernaut HSUS. Vance will discuss how agriculture must "YouTube-proof" farms and processing facilities, as well as the pitfalls of social media "agvocacy."
Ø Chad Zehnder, Land O’Lakes Purina Feeds LLC – Beef Specialist, will speak about “Opportunities and Challenges with Current Feed Costs in the Beef Industry.”
Ø Virtual Tours of Wisconsin Beef Operations featuring cow/calf and feedlot farms will feature how these operations have used and modified existing facilities for beef cattle with an emphasis on safe and efficient cattle handling as a major focus. Time will also be allowed for producers to ask questions to owners of these beef enterprises.
Ø The Legislative Update will be conducted by Terry Quam, Legislative Committee Chairperson of the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association. This update will include Ben Brancel, WI DATCP Secretary. Discussions on how changes in the elected Wisconsin legislature and other legislative happenings will affect Wisconsin’s cattlemen in 2012.
Ø On Saturday Andy Vance will speak again. In his program entitled "It's On the Internet, so it HAS to be true...", Andy will discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media "agvocacy," and explain why using social media in agriculture is part of the cost of doing business today, as well as why farmers have to avoid developing a superiority complex."
During the banquet on Friday evening, the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association will be presenting the Communicator of the Year, Cattleman of the Year, and the Friend of the Cattlemen Awards. The Grant County 4-H Livestock Judging Team will speak on their experiences during an international judging trip to Europe last summer. After the banquet musical entertainment will be provided by the Soggy Prairie Boys.
It is not necessary to be a member of any of these participating organizations to attend the Winter Conference. The advanced registration fee for attending Friday's educational program will be $30/person and $50/couple. There is a student rate for Friday's program of $10. There will be no cost to attend any meetings on Saturday. However, there will be a charge for meals on Saturday. For information or registration materials, please contact Martha Olson at 608-228-1457, wisbeef@yahoo.com; or visit the WCA website at www.wisconsincattlemen.com where you will find conference information and a registration form for downloading.
Lodging is available at the Conference location – the Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. A block of rooms will be held at a discounted rate of $69.95 + tax per night for Thursday and Friday and a fee of $79.95 + tax for Saturday night. Please reserve a room by calling 800-648-4765. To secure your room at the Conference rate, be sure to mention the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association Winter Conference when you call.
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