Interested in a Grass-Fed Beef Operation? This Conference is for You.

Topics include niche markets, consumer preferences, forage systems

r. Davey Griffin, Texas AgriLife Extension Service meat specialist, discusses beef fabrication methods with participants at a recent grass-fed beef conference held at Texas A&M University, College Station. (Texas AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

The popular grass-fed beef conference is scheduled May 30-31 and will provide a comprehensive look at grass-fed beef production and marketing opportunities in Texas, according to organizers. This Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service conference provides in-depth instruction and is hosted on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station.

This is a comprehensive program covering all aspects of grass-fed beef production,” said Dr. Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist in College Station and conference instructor. “We will discuss cattle types best suited for grass-fed beef options as well as sustainable production systems.

“There will also be information and demonstrations presented on carcass fabrication and determining beef cutout value. Overall, this program allows attendees to take home a lot of information and put it to work.”

Topics to be discussed include:

– Understanding niche markets: What really constitutes natural, grass-fed and organic beef production.

– Forage-based nutrition for cattle: The fundamentals of growing forage in Texas.

– Bridging nutritional gaps in Texas due to deficiencies in forage quality or quantity.

– Managing pastures for improved cattle performance.

– Cattle types suited for grass-fed beef.

– Preventative herd health: Managing the health of cattle targeted for niche markets.

– Carcass fabrication demonstration.

– Consumers and their expectations.

– A Taste of Texas Beef: Marketing a unique product.

“A highlight of each year’s conference is the producer panel discussion focused on developing marketing opportunities for grass-fed beef,” Gill said. “This year’s panel will feature Don Davis, a New Mexico grass-fed producer and current president of the American Grassfed Alliance; David and Kim Yates of Angelina All Natural Beef in Canton; and Joe Dowling, KD Bar Beef and KD Bar Cattle Company of Caldwell.”

Registration is $275 through May 15 and $300 after. On-site registration is $325. To register online, visit https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu and enter keyword “grassfed” or call 979-845-2604.