Cattle Trails Wheat and Stocker Cattle Conference

LAWTON, Okla. – Southern Oklahoma and North Texas has experienced a difficult three years of dry conditions.  While no one knows what the environmental conditions hold for the area, agricultural producers continue to plant crops and grow cattle.  New research and technology based on these enduring conditions will be the focus of the Cattle Trails Wheat and Stocker Cattle Conference, a joint effort between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, to be held August 13 in Lawton, Oklahoma.   

This annual conference provides wheat growers and stocker cattle operators the most up-to-date information on topics that influence profits, said Stan Bevers, AgriLife Extension economist in Vernon, Texas.

The slogan of the conference is “driving your cattle to profits,” although Bevers said the last couple of years have made it tough to generate any profit.

The conference, which alternates between Texas and Oklahoma each year, will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Comanche County Coliseum, 920 South Sheridan, in Lawton. Registration is $25 per person and includes educational materials, a noon meal and refreshments.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Bart Fischer, Chief Economist for U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas from Oklahoma. Lucas is the current House Agriculture Committee Chairman.  It is anticipated that Congress will complete work on the new Farm Bill this fall.  Mr. Fischer will provide valuable insight into what the new Farm Bill will look like and how its impact will influence area wheat producer’s income. 

Two speakers will address new research and technology, he said. Dr. Gerald Horn, Professor with the Department of Animal Science at Oklahoma State University will discuss current results from the Marshall Stocker Cattle program.  Dr. David Worrell, Wheat Breeder and Product Manager for AgriPro/Syngenta at Lockett will provide an update on his wheat breeding program. 

What to do with the stocker cattle prior to wheat being ready and still have the cattle gain will be discussed by Dr. Ted McCollum, Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Amarillo, Texas.  Further, Stan Bevers, Professor and Extension Economist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will provide his expectations for the wheat and stocker cattle markets.

Industry sponsors also will have their products on display during the event. For more information on the event, go to http://agrisk.tamu.edu.

Producers are encouraged to pre-register by contacting their local AgriLife Extension county agent, their Oklahoma Cooperative Extension county educator, or by contacting the Southwest Oklahoma Area Extension office at 580-255-0546.