Low-Stress Cattle Handling
Cattle-handling principles gleaned from Bud Williams and Ray Hunt will be demonstrated by three expert cowboys. Presenters Curt Pate, Charlie Trayer and Joel Ham will cover low-stress handling on horseback, with stock dogs and on foot.

Animal Tracking with Electronic ID
Participants will have the opportunity to get firsthand experience in the way data travels with an electronic ID system as each individual is tracked throughout the day and information collected by AgInfoLink is reported back.

• Chute-Side Manners, by Ron Gill, Texas A&M University. Hear the latest results from the 2005 Quality Audit and see live cattle demonstrations on proper handling and administration of vaccinations and medications.

• Animal ID — Source Verification & Traceability, by Ben Brophy, Cargill Cattle Feeders LLC. Discuss this important part of the data collection process of animal ID and how you possibly can use this information in marketing your cattle.

• Weaning Strategies, by Dale Grotelueschen, Pfizer Animal Health, and Connee Quinn, Nebraska/South Dakota rancher. Learn from leading veterinarians and cattlemen about weaning considerations and how to develop a successful weaning plan for your operation.

• Feedlot Performance and Carcass Quality, by Darrell Busby, Iowa State University. Learn from a beef industry expert the effects of cattle handling and disposition scoring on cattle performance and carcass quality.

• Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle Contracts, by John Van Dyke and Phil McFall of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), and Paul Peterson of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). The USDA and the CME provide a video demonstration featuring cattle that meet contract specifications, grading and delivery for live cattle and feeder cattle contracts.

• NRCS Programs — Getting Involved, by Jim Oltjen, University of California-Davis; and Arnold Norman, Charles Stanley and Dennis Thompson of the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). With programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conversation Security, it is important that cattlemen learn how to use the Natural Resource Desk Record developed by NCBA as a helpful tool in their application and monitoring process.

2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Buses depart for Colorado Convention Center from National Western Events Center.

3 p.m. – 4:45 p.m., Colorado Convention Center, Ballrooms 3/4

Cattle-Fax Outlook Seminar
Registrants of Cattlemen’s College will receive a complimentary ticket to the Cattle-Fax Outlook Seminar sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health and Purina Mills, LLC. Note that this will be the only Cattle-Fax Outlook Seminar presented during the convention; it is for both Cattle-Fax members and convention attendees.

The outlook session will feature highlights of 2005, which will be viewed as a year of transition from historically high prices and profitability to a period of rapid herd expansion, increasing supplies and ultimately a change in the cattle cycle. Speakers will discuss the resulting challenges and opportunities for all participants in the cattle and beef industries. This session will highlight trends; look at what effects different factors will have on prices for fed cattle, feeder cattle, calves and bred females; and discuss which industry segments are best positioned for profits at this stage of the cycle. Domestic demand, global markets, competing proteins and feed supplies are also on the agenda.