SDSU Extension kicks off 2016 South Dakota Cattlemen's Convention

BROOKINGS, S.D. - Agriculture producers are invited to the SDSU Extension Roundup Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2016 at the Watertown Ramkota Inn & Event Center (Watertown Ramkota Inn & Event Center). This event is hosted in conjunction with the South Dakota Cattlemen's Convention.The program will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. "We designed this program to offer timely information that can be used to make better-informed management decisions," explained Warren Rusche, SDSU Extension Beef Feedlot Management Associate. Topics for this year's SDSU Extension Roundup include:  Working with Multiple Generations : Presented by Heather Gessner, SDSU Extension Livestock Business Management Field Specialist. Gessner will discuss the similarities and differences between generations and how families can navigate those differences.  Workshop Details: Family farms and ranches often include multiple generations in the same business. These could be members of the same or extended family or as part of the employee force.
In many cases people from different generations look at situations from a different perspective, and can have different methods of communicating. These differences sometimes lead to disagreements and misunderstandings that affect day to day operations, and in some cases transfer of management to the next generation.  Managing Feedstuffs in a Drought Challenged Year: Presented by Julie Walker, Associate Professor and SDSU Extension Beef Specialist. Walker will provide management tips for producers to best utilize the feedstuffs that are available, as well as supplementation strategies to fill any gaps.  Workshop details: Feed costs are the number one expense in managing a cowherd. Managing feed costs can be especially challenging when feed supplies are limited or expensive due to weather conditions such as drought.  Managing Water Sources and Grazing Distribution: Presented by Pete Bauman and Sean Kelly; SDSU Extension Range Management Field Specialists.  Workshop details: Water availability and quality were major issues this last summer due to drought conditions. Bauman and Kelly will offer some practical solutions to improve water reliability and enhance grazing distribution and pasture utilization.  Updates on the Veterinary Feed Directive : Presented by Russ Daly, Professor, SDSU Extension Veterinarian, State Public Health Veterinarian. Daly will provide an update on what will be required to obtain a Veterinary Feed Directive and how producers can successfully manage their operations within the new regulatory framework.  Workshop details: Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, any use of antibiotics in feed will require veterinary oversight in the form of a Veterinary Feed Directive.  Adding Value to the Beef Carcass : Presented by Amanda Blair, Associate Professor and SDSU Extension Meat Science Specialist.  Workshop details: Thanks to meat science research, the beef industry now has the ability to market specific muscle cuts from the chuck and round as higher-value products instead of lower-priced ground beef. Blair will highlight some of those products, how well they compare to more traditional retail cuts, and what these advancements mean for the value of beef cattle today.  Registration detailsFor more information about the SDSU Extension Roundup or the South Dakota Cattlemen's Association and Trade Show, please visit  www.sdcattlemen.org .