Western Slope Stockmanship and Stewardship tour 'worthwhile' for cattle producers
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On September 21 and 22, more than 200 Western Slope cattle producers attended the Rocky Mountain region’s Stockmanship and Stewardship program. Sponsored by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Boehringer Ingelheim, the traveling program makes five stops annually, each hosted by area universities and cattle organizations that take on a local flare. Colorado State University (CSU) Animal Sciences, CSU Western Region Extension and Colorado BQA hosted this year’s program in Montrose, focusing on “High Country” stockmanship topics. Colorado Beef Council, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association and Colorado Livestock Association also supported the event.
The program’s distinct draw for area producers was the opportunity to hear Dr. Temple Grandin’s keynote address, “Animal Welfare in the 21st Century”, but also to interact with her one-on-one during hands-on sessions. Those who came in anticipation of Dr. Grandin received bonus instruction beyond Grandin’s expertise in cattle behavior, welfare and facility design, into topics of cattle health, low-stress cattle handling and transport, and Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) principles. |
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“People really enjoy the opportunity to learn from an industry icon, so it is a privilege that CSU has access to Dr. Grandin for events like these,” said Libby Bigler, Colorado BQA Coordinator. “Our Stockmanship and Stewardship program was enhanced by her presence, but I also think producers gained a lot of practical knowledge from the cattle handling clinicians and other unique guest speakers who were on our agenda.”
Stockmanship specialists Curt Pate and Ron Gill provided interactive, live cattle handling demonstrations on foot and horseback, while stock dog expert, Juan Reyes, demonstrated the use of trained cattle dogs to effectively move and load cattle. Among the classroom presentations were an inside look at cattle health programs from Boehringer Ingelheim’s Rich Linhart, DVM, plus a unique opportunity to hear about Wendy’s commitment to beef quality from the restaurant chain’s Quality Assurance Group manager, Sarah Herringshaw.
To offer event-goers insight from their industry peers, a panel of Western Slope cattle producers offered their perspectives on issues surrounding stockmanship and stewardship in the high country. Among the panelists were Paul Redd of Redd Ranches in Paradox, CO, Bill Martin of Bill Martin Livestock in Loma, CO, Robbie LeValley of LeValley Ranch in Hotchkiss, CO and George Raftopoulos of Diamond Peak Cattle Company in Craig, CO. NCBA’s Cattleman to Cattleman TV program host, Kevin Ochsner moderated the discussion.
Steak and wine provided guests with both education and entertainment. CSU’s Meat Science program presented a steak dinner and concluded with an interactive steak sampling, comparing the differences in flavor and tenderness between steaks of different grades, production systems and breeds. CSU’s Western Slope “Ram’s Point” Winery, offered a wine tasting to complement the meal.
Earning a BQA Certification was one tangible measure that participants walked away with. After a classroom BQA session, event participants broke into groups that rotated between five hands-on stations to discuss BQA principles in even more detail. Rotations consisted of Dr. Grandin’s facility design discussion, trailer and ATV safety, injection management and considerations for cattle health products.
“I feel they (Stockmanship and Stewardship programs) bring so much value for the time and money invested,” stockmanship clinician, Pate said. “Everyone works so hard to make it a worthwhile, valuable event for the producer … and the Montrose, Colorado event was real good.”
Pate recommends that cattle producers make an effort to attend a Stockmanship and Stewardship event in their region, and to send employees.
“Even if you’re not in the beef industry I would try to attend to find out just how good and dedicated this industry is at trying to improve Beef Quality Assurance,” he said.
Each year NCBA hand selects host organization and event location based on a rigorous proposal process where hosts must plan and share their ideas for a successful event and sessions. Planning for the events begins nearly a year in advance as local hosts prepare and work towards creating a one of a kind educational experience for cattle producers.
The Stockmanship and Stewardship program is made possible by support and sponsorship from Boehringer Ingelheim and the checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program. Each event is tailored to the regional audience and includes live cattle handling demonstrations and a BQA training and certification. For more information and to register for an upcoming event visit StockmanshipandStewardship.org.
Stockmanship specialists Curt Pate and Ron Gill provided interactive, live cattle handling demonstrations on foot and horseback, while stock dog expert, Juan Reyes, demonstrated the use of trained cattle dogs to effectively move and load cattle. Among the classroom presentations were an inside look at cattle health programs from Boehringer Ingelheim’s Rich Linhart, DVM, plus a unique opportunity to hear about Wendy’s commitment to beef quality from the restaurant chain’s Quality Assurance Group manager, Sarah Herringshaw.
To offer event-goers insight from their industry peers, a panel of Western Slope cattle producers offered their perspectives on issues surrounding stockmanship and stewardship in the high country. Among the panelists were Paul Redd of Redd Ranches in Paradox, CO, Bill Martin of Bill Martin Livestock in Loma, CO, Robbie LeValley of LeValley Ranch in Hotchkiss, CO and George Raftopoulos of Diamond Peak Cattle Company in Craig, CO. NCBA’s Cattleman to Cattleman TV program host, Kevin Ochsner moderated the discussion.
Steak and wine provided guests with both education and entertainment. CSU’s Meat Science program presented a steak dinner and concluded with an interactive steak sampling, comparing the differences in flavor and tenderness between steaks of different grades, production systems and breeds. CSU’s Western Slope “Ram’s Point” Winery, offered a wine tasting to complement the meal.
Earning a BQA Certification was one tangible measure that participants walked away with. After a classroom BQA session, event participants broke into groups that rotated between five hands-on stations to discuss BQA principles in even more detail. Rotations consisted of Dr. Grandin’s facility design discussion, trailer and ATV safety, injection management and considerations for cattle health products.
“I feel they (Stockmanship and Stewardship programs) bring so much value for the time and money invested,” stockmanship clinician, Pate said. “Everyone works so hard to make it a worthwhile, valuable event for the producer … and the Montrose, Colorado event was real good.”
Pate recommends that cattle producers make an effort to attend a Stockmanship and Stewardship event in their region, and to send employees.
“Even if you’re not in the beef industry I would try to attend to find out just how good and dedicated this industry is at trying to improve Beef Quality Assurance,” he said.
Each year NCBA hand selects host organization and event location based on a rigorous proposal process where hosts must plan and share their ideas for a successful event and sessions. Planning for the events begins nearly a year in advance as local hosts prepare and work towards creating a one of a kind educational experience for cattle producers.
The Stockmanship and Stewardship program is made possible by support and sponsorship from Boehringer Ingelheim and the checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program. Each event is tailored to the regional audience and includes live cattle handling demonstrations and a BQA training and certification. For more information and to register for an upcoming event visit StockmanshipandStewardship.org.
September 22-23, 2017 • CSU ARDEC Facility • Fort Collins, CO
Join us for a one-of-a-kind educational opportunity at Colorado State University’s Agriculture, Research, Development and Education Center (ARDEC) facilities to hear from some of the beef industry’s top-most experts, like Dr. Temple Grandin, on how implementing sound Stockmanship and Stewardship practices on your operation will add value to your bottom line. With live cattle handling demonstrations, hands-on training, and exposure to the industry’s newest information, you are sure to find value by attending this Stockmanship and Stewardship event.
Agenda
Friday, September 22
8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Optional Pre-Event Tours (Choose one; space limited)
12:00 p.m. – Registration Opens 1:00 p.m. – Welcome and Introductions 1:15 p.m. – Best Management Practices to Optimize Cattle Health, Dr. Jerry Woodruff, Professional Services Veterinarian, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health 2:15 p.m. – Economic Considerations of Low-Stress Handling on Cattle Performance, Dan Mooney, CSU Agricultural Economics, and Dr. Ryan Rhoades, CSU Beef Extension Specialist 3:15 p.m. – Break 3:30 p.m. – Producer Panel Discussion: A Producer’s Perspective on Evolving Stockmanship and Stewardship, Moderator Kevin Ochsner, NCBA Cattlemen to Cattlemen
6:00 p.m. – Steak taste-panel dinner, Dr. Dale Woerner, CSU Meat Sciences 7:00 p.m. - Animal Welfare in the 21st Century, Keynote Address, Dr. Temple Grandin, CSU Animal Sciences 8:00 p.m. – Networking and Entertainment Saturday, September 23 8:00 a.m. – 2016 National Beef Quality Audit Results, Speaker TBD 8:30 a.m. - Classroom BQA Training, Libby Bigler, Colorado BQA 10:30 a.m. – Stockmanship and Stewardship Demonstration, Curt Pate & Ron Gill, NCBA Stockmanship & Stewardship 12:30 p.m. – BBQ Beef Lunch 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Hands-on Rotations (30 minutes each)
4:30 p.m. – Closing remarks |
Location
Registration and events will take place at the Taylor Conference Center at CSU’s ARDEC facilities.
From the north: Take Interstate 25 exit 278, turn left at the light to go over the interstate, and turn right onto the frontage road heading south. Continue 3.5 miles and turn left onto East County Road 56. The Taylor Conference Center will be on the left side of the road. From the south: Take Interstate 25 exit 271 (Mountain Vista). Turn right and continue north along the frontage road. Continue 3 miles and turn right onto East County Road 56. The Taylor Conference Center will be on the left side of the road. |
Check back for additional details or visit www.stockmanshipandstewardship.org.
