|
|
AdvertisementMissouri Livestock Symposium to be held Dec. 4 and 5 in KirksvilleMissouri Known for its nationally and internationally recognized speakers, great trade show, and big-time entertainment, the Missouri Livestock Symposium continues to attract serious livestock producers from throughout Missouri and beyond. The event is set for Dec. 4 and 5. Last year, according to Missouri Livestock Symposium planning committee chair Garry Mathes, the Livestock Symposium drew 2,125 people from 78 of Missouri's 114 counties and 17 states. According to Mathes, a livestock producer from Greentop, Mo., there are several reasons for the success of the program. "I have a dedicated and hard working 23 member committee that work year round on the event," Mathes said. "The committee is made up of producers who are involved with all species of livestock, equine, forage production, and stock dogs. Other committee members have an interest in other aspects of agriculture and renewable energies." Another reason for the success of the Missouri Livestock Symposium is the program features "big names" in the industry and speakers are selected for their ability to connect in a practical way with their audience. "In fact, we work very hard at selecting people that have important messages to convey and that can do that in a way that producers can clearly understand," according to Mathes. The Missouri Livestock Symposium began 10 years ago and Mathes is pleased it has been such a success. The program actually began with ideas that surfaced when Mathes and University of Missouri Extension Livestock Specialist Bruce Lane discussed the need for a program that was something above and beyond what was currently being offered. "We didn't know it would get this big or last this long, but as long as people keep attending we'll keep working on it," says Mathes. The 2009 Missouri Livestock Symposium will be held Dec. 4 and 5 at the Kirksville Middle School, 1515 S. Cottage Grove, Kirksville. Hours for the Livestock Symposium, including the trade show and educational programs, are 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Dec. 4 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 5. There is no cost to attend the Symposium and there is no registration required. As Mathes says, "just show up and come on in. We try to make this an event easy to attend, including easy on your pocket book!" And, if the free registration is not enough, the Missouri Livestock Symposium also serves a free beef meal Dec. 4 and a free Governor's Style Luncheon Dec. 5 noon. The latter is provided by a number of Missouri's agricultural commodity groups or businesses and is organized with the help of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Program information The evening program Dec. 4 will feature Mike Adams of AgriTalk, results of the Classic Tractor Contest (entry information can be found at www.missourilivestock.com), and presentation of the Livestock Person of the Year and Agriculture Educators Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition, University of Missouri Commercial Agriculture Program veterinarian Dr. Craig Payne will speak on "Agriculture Under Attack" while Dr. Jon Hagler, Director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture and Dr. Rod Geisert, Director, Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri will be on hand to provide a welcome and greet Symposium attendees. On Dec. 5, in addition to the all day trade show, there will be educational programs for horse enthusiasts, beef cattle producers, sheep and meat goat producers, forage producers, and owners of stock dogs. In addition there will be programs on renewable energies and consumer topics that will have broad appeal. Some of the featured Equine speakers include Rick Lamb of The Horse Show; Dr. Temple Grandin; Dr. Doug Householder; Marci Crosby; and Dr. Jon Hagler. The Beef Cattle Section will feature Dr. Justin Sexten; Dr. Dee Griffin; Lee Leachman; Dr. Brad White; and Dr. Temple Grandin. In the Forages Section speakers will include Dr. Ed Ballard; Mark Kennedy; Dr. David Davis; David Otte; John Turner; and Mike Houston. The Sheep Section speakers are Dr. Robert Fielder; Dean Oswald; Dave Notter; Dr. Charlotte Clifford-Rathert. The Meat Goat Section will feature Dr. Fred Homeyer; Dr. Ken McMillin; and Charlotte Clifford-Rathert. Various talks on Stock Dogs will be handled by Danny Shilling of Bois D'Arc, Mo. In the Around the Farm and Home Section attendees will be treated to a great program as well. The Executive Director of the Beef Culinary Center in Denver, Colo., Chef Dave Zino will be giving beef cooking demonstrations and there will be other talks on companion planting and raised bed gardening, managing vineyard nutrition, grapevine diseases and their control, and quilting (including a quilt display). Dr. Michael Goldschmidt of the University of Missouri will talk about energy savings for the home and farm while Dr. Robert Pierce, also University of Missouri, will tackle the topic of controlling nuisance animals around the farm and home. Those with an interest in renewable energies will have the opportunity to hear from Dr. Norm Scott of Cornell University who will share information about how small cities and rural communities can become energy independent. Dr. Scott has monitored such communities both worldwide and in the United States. Dr. Patrick Westhoff, Co-Director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, will be updating producers on the Farm Bill and its implications for producers. In all, over 30 speakers from coast to coast will be on hand to share their knowledge with producers on relevant and timely topics. The Missouri Livestock Symposium closes out its annual event this year with country music artist Steve Holy who has had number one hits like "Brand New Girlfriend" and "Good Morning Beautiful." Tickets for the Steve Holy Concert may be purchased by calling the Adair County University of Missouri Extension Center at 660-665-9866 or e-mailing Vanessa Miller at millerva@missouri.edu and putting MLS Concert tickets in the subject line. Complete details about the Missouri Livestock Symposium may be viewed at www.missourilivestock.com. For more information please call Garry Mathes, committee chair, at 660-341-6625 or Bruce Lane, University of Missouri Extension Livestock Specialist at 660-665-9866 or e-mailing Bruce at lanen@missouri.edu (please put MLS in the subject line). Advertisement
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2010. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
Market Snapshot Inside Futures |
61486