Oklahoma

Cattle producers can pick up the latest in practical tips for managing beef cattle at two KOMA Cattle Conference and Trade Show events this January, one in Oklahoma and the other in Missouri.

The KOMA Cattle Conference is a joint educational effort by the Cooperative Extension Services in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas.

"The conference is designed to provide the latest information on production, marketing, health, nutrition and management," said Kent Barnes, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension area livestock specialist.

The KOMA Cattle Conference in Oklahoma will begin Jan. 18, 2006, at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Dewey, Okla. Registration will start at 1 p.m. and will conclude at 5:45 p.m. with an evening meal.

A fee of $10 per participant is required, to cover the cost of educational materials and a meal. Payment should be sent to the Washington County Extension Center by no later than Jan. 9 to the following address: P.O. Box 10, Agricultural Center, Dewey, OK, 74029-0010.

"The 2006 conference will showcase speakers from OSU, the University of Arkansas and the University of Missouri," Barnes said.

A session about animal health management prior to calving will be given by Dr. Jeremy Powell, UA Cooperative Extension veterinarian.

Derrell Peel, OSU Cooperative Extension livestock marketing specialist, will share the current and future trends in the cattle market and potential management decisions producers might want to address as a result.

K.C. Olson, UM Cooperative Extension beef cattle specialist, will provide insights about using animal traceability to increase beef demand.

Dwayne Skidgel of Cattle-Traq LLC will lead a session on the benefits of animal identification technology.

"Cattle producers who can't make it to the Dewey conference on Jan. 18 may want to attend the Jan. 17 conference at the Joplin Regional Stockyards," Barnes said. "The Missouri conference will share many of the same topics and speakers as the Oklahoma event."