The University will host the annual Cattlemen’s Update virtually in 2021, via Zoom, Jan. 12-13. For more than 40 years, the University has held several sessions across 鶹ӳ in January to provide ranchers with current research-based information about issues that may affect the efficiency, productivity, profitability and sustainability of their businesses and 鶹ӳ’s cattle industry.
“University faculty always look forward to making the rural tour to discuss livestock issues with 鶹ӳ ranchers and highlight current University research,” said Staci Emm, 鶹ӳ professor and Extension educator in Mineral County, who coordinates the program. “The livestock industry has been impacted by COVID with volatility in livestock prices, and it is imperative that we reach out to this audience to discuss these impacts. We know that not all our 鶹ӳ producers will be able to participate online. However, we are also calling them individually to see if we can send the program information. We do expect an audience that will reach well beyond 鶹ӳ to Western states.”
The event is led by the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, and its Extension and Experiment Station units. The event is free this year, with partial funding provided by the Western Extension Risk Management Education Center.
In addition to various experts who will present the Zoom sessions, short recorded presentations from 鶹ӳ President Brian Sandoval and College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources Dean Bill Payne will be featured at the start of each of the four sessions. This year’s sessions include:
Session 1. Animal Health Tuesday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. – noon
- 鶹ӳ State Veterinarian Update – Amy Mitchell, state veterinarian, 鶹ӳ Department of Agriculture
- Local 鶹ӳ Veterinarians Update – Panelists include: Randy Wallstrum, Western 鶹ӳ; Jeffrey Oyler, Lahontan Valley Vet Clinic; and JJ Goicoechea, Eureka Valley Vet
- Feed Trials Research – Mozart Fonseca, assistant professor of agriculture; 鶹ӳ
- Youth for the Quality Care of Animals/Prepare to Respond – Lindsay Chichester, assistant professor and Extension educator in Douglas County; 鶹ӳ
Session 2. Livestock Processing and Slaughter, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Cattle Price Dynamics: Markets, Feedlots and Packers – Brett Crosby, co-owner, Custom Ag Solutions
- 鶹ӳ Beef Checkoff Activities – Jill Scolfield, producer relations, California/鶹ӳ Beef Council
- 鶹ӳ’s Mobile Slaughter Project – Staci Emm, professor and Extension educator in Mineral County; 鶹ӳ
- Wet Versus Dry Aging Your Meat – Amilton de Mello, assistant professor of agriculture; 鶹ӳ
Session 3. Economic Overview of Agriculture in 鶹ӳ, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m. – noon
- National Market Update for 鶹ӳ Ag Products – Malieka Bordigioni, research manager with economics, Extension and the Experiment Station; 鶹ӳ
- Western States Cattle, Hay and Dairy Economic Outlook – Shannon Neibergs, economist, Washington State University; and director, Western Risk Management Extension Center
- Cattle Buyer Panel: What You Should Know – Panelists include: Wade Small, Agri-beef; Mike Rucks, Cattle Operations, Harris Feeding Operations; David Stix, Stix Cattle Company
- 鶹ӳ Weather Update: Drought – Stephanie McAfee, associate professor of geography and 鶹ӳ state climatologist; 鶹ӳ
Session 4. Rangelands and Rangeland Management, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Assessing the Conditions of Riparians and How They Relate to Rangeland Health Standards for 鶹ӳ:
- Paul Meiman, associate professor of rangeland sciences and Extension specialist; 鶹ӳ
- Barry Perryman, professor of rangeland sciences; 鶹ӳ
- Brad Schultz, professor of rangeland sciences and Extension educator in Humboldt County; 鶹ӳ
- Wild Horse and Burro Update – Perryman
- Virtual Fencing Project Update – Meiman
Participants are asked to register online in advance at . To receive a producer packet of information, including the Red Book and a 2020 Noxious Weed Book, prior to the event, or for more information, email Emm or call 775-475-4227. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call or notify Emm at least three days prior to the scheduled event.
