Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating Milam County Extension Office 100 E. 1st St . Cameron, Texas 76520 254 697-7045 Fax 254 697-7046 email milam-tx@tamu.edu July 15, 2008 Jon Gersbach County Extension Agent Ag & Natural Resources BEEF 706 (please see attached agenda) A Hands-On Seminar about Beef Quality Excellence in Texas July 29 - 30 and July 31 - Aug 1, 2008 Texas A&M University ~ College Station, Texas Dear Texas Beef Producer: Do you consider yourself a cattle producer or a beef producer? You may consider yourself both. But ultimately your cattle will be harvested, sold through a retail or foodservice outlet, and enjoyed by a consumer. Being a beef producer is not something we think about on a continual basis, but we probably should. BEEF 706 is a Beef Checkoff funded program available to you. You can learn about beef quality and safety issues and how they affect your operation. By attending BEEF 706 you will have a unique opportunity to not only see, but to experience the quality challenges facing the beef industry. You will learn what factors affect beef s palatability and receive information to help you utilize your herd s genetics, feedyard performance, and carcass characteristics. In addition, you will work with five other Texas beef producers to fabricate a carcass with the help of a cutting instructor. By the time you leave the program, you will have created a new network of industry professionals. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about your beef industry. Also, or attendance and completion of the BEEF 706 course; you will receive four (4) Beef Quality credits for the Texas Beef Quality Producer Program Beef 706 agenda is attached. Call -800-846-4113 or Email jhodgkins@txbeef.org 2008 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course Set for Aug. 4-6 The high price of fertilizer, diesel and other expenditures necessary to produce beef will be the focus of the 54th annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course Aug. 4-6 at Texas A&M University in College Station. "Feed, fuel and fertilizer costs have nearly doubled in the past two years and are pressuring cattlemen to look for new ways to produce a pound of beef more economically," said Dr. Jason Cleere, Texas AgriLife Extension Service beef cattle specialist and conference coordinator. For many producers, cutting back production per acre of land in order to reduce input costs may not be an option, Cleere said. "However, we can incorporate management practices that will make them more efficient," he said. These are just a couple of the many issues and topics that will be addressed at the short course. "Previous participants always comment on the variety of topics that are offered during the Beef Cattle Short Course," he said. "Participants have an opportunity to choose from 19 different 'Cattleman's College' workshops which will feature information on ranch management, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, pastures, carcass evaluation, record keeping, cattle marketing, wildlife management and landowner issues." Registration is $140 per person, and includes educational materials, a copy of the 300-page Beef Cattle Short Course proceedings, trade show admittance, tickets to the prime rib dinner, five additional meals and daily refreshments. Producers may register online at http://beef.tamu.edu or contact Cleere's office at 979-845-6931. Also, following the conclusion of the Beef Cattle Short Course will be a two day Ranch and Estate Planning Seminar. The seminar is offered The workshop will focus on basic planning devices such as wills, trusts, gifts, and estate tax deferment. The second day of the program will focus on estate taxes, keeping the ranch operating, partnerships and corporations, and land valuations. This event will be held at the George Bush Conference Center in College Station beginning Wednesday August 6 from 1 until 5 pm, and on Thursday August 7 from 9 until 5 pm. Cost is $125 per attendee. Lunch and refreshments are included. Please visit our office for more information on this important training opportunity.