Red Angus Association of America   |   Updated: August 17, 2011

Commercial producers will learn methods to capture more value from their land, labor and livestock at the Red Angus Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium. In today’s economy, it’s more important than ever for cattle producers to implement innovative practices that will return more profit on their calf crop. On Sept. 14, producers will glean information from top industry experts on adding value to their natural resources, labor and calf crop at the Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium. 

The symposium will kick off the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) national convention in Durham, N.C., at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Convention Center with a complimentary noon lunch and presentation by Dr. Tonya Amen, Pfizer Animal Genetics. 

RAAA convention organizers planned the symposium with commercial cattlemen’s best interest in mind. “As producers, we know we have added value in our cattle and resources, but we don’t always know how to capture the maximum profit in the marketplace,” said convention planner and local cattleman Johnny R. Rogers of Roxboro, N.C.

“We divided the seminar into two segments,” said Rogers. “The first group of speakers will address what we can change inside our own fences with our cowherd, management practices and genetics to capture more profit. The second segment will address how we can increase our profit margins after the cattle leave our operations.”

Bryan Blinson, executive secretary of the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association, will moderate the first segment in which Dr. Gordon Jones, professor at Western Kentucky University, will speak on essential cowherd traits to fit specific environments. 

Dr. Joseph P. Cassady, associate professor at North Carolina State University (NCSU), will address how the rate of hair coat shedding affects cows’ performance. RAAA Director of Breed Improvement Larry Keenan will wrap up the segment with his discussion on how the selection for cowherd building traits can improve profitability.

Following a short break, the focus of the symposium will shift to capturing the value of producers’ calf crops. Clint Berry, RAAA commercial marketing director, will moderate a panel discussion of industry experts. 

Bill McKinnon, executive secretary for the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, will discuss effective feeder cattle marketing, and Dan Dorn of Decatur (Kan.) County Feed Yard will share what drives profit in a feed yard. 

Attendees will learn how to earn greater premiums through age and source verification from RAAA Director of Value Added Programs Myron Edelman, as well as gain knowledge of the value of Natural beef programs from Blake Angell, director of feeder cattle procurement for Meyer Natural Angus.

The Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium is hosted by the Red Angus Association of The Carolinas and is free of charge, but participants must contact Johnny R. Rogers, 336-598-5835 or Martin Morgan, 828-683-9935, to reserve a ticket.

Convention attendees should reserve their room at the Sheraton Imperial at 919-941-5050 by Aug. 24 to receive the special Red Angus convention rate of $109. To learn more or to pre-register for the national RAAA convention, visit the website at redangus.org or contact Charlie Tigart, member accounts specialist, (940) 387-3502, charlie@redangus.org. 

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