Aug. 4 deadline for 10th Feeding Quality Forum

As cattle feeders aim to make the most of premiums for quality, align with market expectations and make ready for industry changes in the wind, they can find insight and answers at an annual forum at two locations on the Great Plains.

The 10th annual Feeding Quality Forum is set for the Omaha suburb of La Vista, Neb., on August 18 and in Garden City, Kan., on August 20.

For a decade, producers, feeders and allied industry have joined together annually for an education reunion to reap expert industry insight. This year’s topics include the perennial favorite market outlook from AgResource Company, tips to combat heat stress, advice on how to adopt current nutrition strategies and a peer panel on risk management.

“The panel discussion has grown into one of our most popular segments,” says Jill Dunkel, event organizer and editor of cosponsor Feedlot magazine. “This year’s topic is managing risk – cattle are a tremendous investment, and offering fellow cattlemen the opportunity to see how others are managing risk will no doubt be a great conversation.”

Attendance is by advance reservation until all seats are taken, and remains at the same $50 level as in years past for all registrations by August 4. As space allows, late reservations will be accepted at $75.

“We gather input and topics from our sponsors who represent different industry segments, but also past participants and those engaged in the feeding business,” says Mark McCully, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) vice president. “We want to provide a forum for discussing those most relevant issues that managers are facing in their day-to-day business operations.”

Each year, the forum informs and opens discussion that help attendees plan for shifting industry trends and consumer demand. Peer discussions and networking allow producers and feeders to learn from each other as well as industry and university experts.

McCully says, “The feeding business is changing at a rapid pace, and staying on top of all the moving pieces can be challenging for a manager without this kind of event..”

Sign-in begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a quick welcome at 10:00 before informational sessions kick off with Dan Basse, AgResource Company president (Garden City) or AgResource Head Researcher Bill Tierney (Omaha), as they provide the local and global feedstuffs market and economic outlook.

Then Marilyn Corbin of Zoetis will talk about details, implications and how to prepare for the Veterinary Feed Directive. Lunch will honor FQF 2015 Industry Achievement Award winner James Herring, of Friona Industries, Amarillo, Texas.

Following lunch, University of Nebraska feedlot experts will take the floor. Terry Mader will highlight the details of heat stress management, followed by Galen Erickson’s discussion of trending nutrition topics. The forum will conclude around 4:15 p.m., after a panel discussion on risk management in the feedyard.

The Forum is hosted in conjunction with Zoetis, Roto-Mix, Purina Mills, Micronutrients, Feedlot magazine and CAB.

To register, visit www.cabpartners.com/news/events/FQF/index.php, or contact Marilyn Conley by phone at 800-225-2333 or email mconley@certifiedangusbeef.com.