The annual 4-State Beef Conference will be held Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at six locations, including two in Iowa. Chris Clark, beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, says the conference agenda has information for cow-calf, stocker and feedlot operations. "From feed efficiency improvement to consumer engagement, the topics and speakers will provide timely information on relevant topics," he says. "Extension specialists from all four states – Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska – will join nationally recognized experts on the conference agenda."

TIMELY INFORMATION: The 4-State Beef Conference will be held January 29 at six locations, including two in Iowa. Topics will cover information for cow-calf, stocker and feedlot operations. Extension specialists from all four states (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) will join nationally recognized experts. Some of the presentations will be broadcast to each location and some of the presentations will be made by one of beef specialists who will be present at each location.

Staff from the respective states will host the six locations, with the first and last sessions presented in-person by experts from those states. The second and third sessions feature national experts presenting via webcast. Dinner will be held between these sessions. In Iowa, people can attend the conference at the Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis or at Southwest Iowa Community College in Creston. The event begins at 5 p.m. and the final session starts at 8 p.m. Cost is $20 per person which includes a beef dinner and copy of the conference proceedings.

Multistate Beef Conference offers timely information for all beef cattle producers

Registrations are requested to be made by Friday, Jan. 25. You can make them by contacting Clark at 636-432-9437, Leann Tibken at 712-769-2600, or the Page County Extension Office at 712-542-5171.

Session information for Iowa locations

* Session 1 – 5 p.m. "Genetic Improvement of Beef Cattle Feed Efficiency" – delivered by Stephanie Hansen (Lewis) and Mega Van Emon (Creston), animal science specialists, Iowa State University

* Session 2 – 5:45 p.m. "Engaging Consumers in a Beef Conversation" – webcast presentation by Daren Williams, executive director of National Cattlemen's Beef Association

* Dinner – 6:30 p.m.

* Session 3 – 7:15 p.m. "Beef Industry Update and Outlook" – webcast presented by Todd Kalous, market analyst with CattleFax

* Session 4 – 8 p.m. "The Unsettling Truth About Trichomoniasis" and "Preparing for Calving Season" – delivered by Clark (Lewis) and Sellers (Creston), extension livestock specialists, Iowa State University ; "Pasture Leasing Challenges" – by Tim Eggers (Creston), extension farm management specialist, Iowa State University

Program details and contacts are available on the conference website. The conference will also be held at the Gage County Extension Office, Beatrice, Neb.; Wamego Senior Center, Wamego, Kan.; Nemaha Community Building, Seneca, Kan.; and Hammer Memorial United Methodist Church, King City, Mo.