Cattle and wheat topics of July 24 conference in Wichita Falls

Cattle and wheat topics of July 24 conference in Wichita Falls

WICHITA FALLS – After the recent wheat harvest, more wheat and stocker cattle producers may want to attend the Cattle Trails Stocker Conference to be held July 24 at the Multi-Purpose Event Center, 1000 5th Street, in Wichita Falls.

This conference is a joint effort between Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.

“We believe this will be an extremely important conference given the circumstances that we faced with this year’s wheat harvest and wheat price,” said Stan Bevers, AgriLife Extension economist in Vernon.

“Planning early will be imperative for the upcoming crop,” Bevers said. “Given the low prices experienced at harvest, many producers may choose to turn to cattle for additional flexibility. However, adding cattle to the wheat operation always increases the level of management involved and the associated risks.”

Planners envision an annual conference that will provide wheat producers and/or stocker cattle operators with the most up-to-date information on topics that influence wheat and stocker cattle profits, Bevers said.

The conference will alternate between Texas and Oklahoma each year, he said. It is named to represent the vast area of agricultural production between the Chisholm Trail and the Great Western cattle trails of the late 1800s, both of which started in south Central Texas and moved up through central and western Oklahoma.

Speakers will include faculty from both Oklahoma and Texas. Important topics of marketing and outlook, animal health, wheat pasture research and wheat production will be covered, Bevers said.

Industry sponsors will have their products on display during the event.

The conference will begin at 8 a.m. with registration and end at 4:30 p.m. Registration is $20 per person and includes educational materials, a copy of the Cattle Trails Stocker Conference Proceedings, a noon meal and refreshments. Additional information can be obtained at http://agrisk.tamu.edu .

Producers can register by contacting their local AgriLife Extension county agent, their Oklahoma Cooperative Extension county educator, or by contacting Karen Thompson at 940-552-9941, ext. 217 or by e-mail at kethompson@.ag.tamu.edu .

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