2013 Ag Spotlight

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

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Events Center Room C

9-10:30 a.m. Is Media Ruining Agriculture?

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Dr. Dale Woerner, Asst. Prof., Center for Meat Safety & Quality, Dept. of An. Sci., CSU – Ft. Collins, Colo.

Dr. Lawrence Goodridge, Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Animal Sciences, CSU – Ft. Collins, Colo.

From pink slime to deadly cantaloupe, how does the Agriculture Industry move on? Over the last few years, the media has played a huge role in molding public perception of the Ag Industry. Industry representatives, who are familiar with agriculture issues that have hit the news hard in the last few years, will be on hand to let us in on the truth and fiction of what happened and how it can be avoided or dealt with in the future. In order to answer the questions that come up in the future, understanding how perceptions were formed in the past is critical.

10:30 a.m.-Noon Drought Roundtable Discussion

Dr. Bill Curran, MPD Research Scientist, Pioneer Hybrids International – LaSalle, Colo.

Troy Bauder, Ext. Water Quality Specialist, Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, CSU – Ft. Collins, Colo.

Erik Wardle, Assist. Ext. Water Quality Specialist, Dept. of Soil & Crop Sciences, CSU – Ft. Collins, Colo.

Dr. Neil Hansen, Assoc. Prof. of Soil Science & Cropping Systems Specialist, CSU – Ft. Collins, Colo.

Industry leaders will fill attendees in on the outlook for the next growing season, water and nutrient management during drought conditions, and the strides that the industry is making in meeting the needs of lower water availability in the future. This roundtable is filled with research and industry authorities who will offer advice to help producers deal with drought conditions and how to minimize losses through drought and inputs lost. The question really isn’t will the drought continue next year, but how the industry can better prepare itself to meet the special challenges of a drought. Don’t miss the session this year by Nolan Doeskin from the Colorado Climate Center, who will fill us in on moisture expectations for the next year.

Noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break

1-2:30 p.m. Precision Agriculture: Moving into the Future of Agriculture

Tim Wolf, Irrigation Division Manager, 21st Century Water Technologies – Gering, Neb.

Dr. Raj Khosla, Professor of Precision Agriculture, Colorado State University – Ft. Collins, Colo.

Precision farming or precision agriculture is a farming management concept based on observing and responding to intra-field variations. Today, precision agriculture is about whole farm management with the goal of optimizing returns on inputs while preserving resources. It relies on new technologies like satellite imagery, information technology and geospatial tools. It is also aided by farmers’ ability to locate their precise position in a field using satellite positioning system like the GPS or other GNSS. This forum will bring together some of the country’s best experts on precision nutrient management and precision irrigation management. The strides made in this effort will help producers in improving their bottom line in regards to profits, inputs, and crop success.

2013 Beef Day

Tuesday, January 29, 2013 Events Center Room A

9-9:15 a.m. Colorado Beef Council – Increasing Consumer Demand for Beef

Fred Lombardi, Executive Director, Colorado Beef Council – Denver, Colo.

Fred will provide an overview and update on Beef Council programs in Colorado.

9:15-9:30 a.m. Colorado Cattlemen’s Association Producer Programs

Devin Murnin, Director of Industry Programs, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association – Denver, Colo.

Devin will present a brief update on the various producer programs that Colorado Cattlemen’s Association is involved with.

9:30-10 a.m. State Veterinarian Livestock Health Update

Dr. Keith Roehr, Colorado State Veterinarian, Division of Animal Industry – Lakewood, Colo.

The health of livestock is of utmost importance to Colorado livestock producers and the Colorado State Veterinarian. Dr. Roehr will discuss how the department of Agriculture accomplishes disease control and eradication and how the incidence of disease and the associated response efforts are a dynamic and ever changing process.

10-10:30 a.m. Challenges for the U.S. Beef Industry – Results of the 2011 National Beef Quality Audit

Dr. Jason Ahola, Assoc. Prof of Beef Production Systems, Dept. of An. Sci., CSU – Ft. Collins, Colo.

Beef checkoff-funded National Beef Quality Audits (NBQA) have been conducted every 5 years since 1991 in order to assess progress the beef industry has made relative to how production practices affect beef’s end-product quality and consumer demand. Unlike the previous 4 audits, the 2011 NBQA included several new “phases” of data collection to gather information from every industry segment, as well as with the traditional quantification of physical characteristics of beef in packing plants. Additionally, a thorough evaluation was conducted of how beef is viewed by retailers and food service providers, including their willingness-to-pay for specific beef attributes. Key results of the 2011 NBQA will be presented to enable cattle producers to understand how their production practices may affect consumer demand for beef.

10:30-11:15 a.m. Prospects for Profit in 2013: A Market Outlook for Cattle, Feed, and Grain

Market Analyst, CattleFax – Centennial, Colo.

CattleFax will discuss cattle and other protein supplies and demand, as well as grains and International markets and what that means for cattle prices moving forward. They will also look at emerging industry trends for the beef industry and how the rapidly changing cattle business will affect producers operation in the years ahead.

11:15 a.m.-Noon What the Cattle Feeder is Looking for – Performance and Market Value

Steve Gable, Owner, Magnum Feedyard LLC – Wiggins, CO • Randy Miller, Owner, Miller Cattle Feeders – Pierce, Colo.

Steve and Randy will discuss feedlot performance and management practices that produce what the packer wants. They will share how a feedlot producer determines the value of a feeder animal based on breakevens and market value market values. Further discussion will cover how a cow/calf producer can capture market value by selling their calves or retaining ownership.

Noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break

1–1:45 p.m. Creating and Capturing Value – Packer and Retail

Steven Williams, VP Cattle Procurement, JBS USA – Greeley, CO • Fred Nichols, Cattle Buyer, JBS USA – Greeley, Colo.

Steven and Fred will provide an overview of market trends at the packer, food service, and retail levels, as well as the value points for the beef industry moving forward. Discussion will include what the packing industry is looking for from the cow-calf and feedlot sectors.

1:45-3 p.m. Rebuilding the Cow Herd While Creating Value in All Sectors of the Beef Industry

Moderator – Dr. Jason Ahola, Assoc. Prof of Beef Production Systems, Dept. of An. Sci., CSU – Ft. Collins, Colo.

Kevin Miller, Owner, Croissant Red Angus – Briggsdale, CO • Randy Miller, Owner, Miller Cattle Feeders – Pierce, Colo.

Steven Williams, VP Cattle Procurement, JBS USA – Greeley, Colo.

The producer panel will provide you with an opportunity to interact with producers involved in seedstock, cow-calf, feedlot, and packing sectors of the Beef Industry. They will give you insight into how they see value in the industry and where they find value point within their operations. Beef Day participants will be able to ask questions that impact their own operations. Plan to attend and see if there are other ideas that can increase profit in your operation.

2013 Hay & Forage

Tuesday January 29, 2013 Events Center Room B

9-10 a.m. Lab Analysis Interpretation and Lab Variation

Dr. Marc Mielahn, Owner, Weld Laboratories – Greeley, Colo.

Variations among forage testing laboratories is a source of concern for buyers and sellers of feeds and forages. The National Forage Testing Association was founded in 1985, in part, to standardize forage testing methods and to help improve agreement among testing labs. Despite the NFTA’s efforts to standardize practices among labs, variation persists. This talk will address potential sources of variation among labs and suggest practices for consumers to insure optimal results from lab testing.

10-11 a.m. Silage Management Today – Huge Money – Made or Lost?

Dr. Wes Kezar, Owner, Kezar Consulting – Boise, Idaho

With today’s corn and dairy feed prices, it is critical that the selection, growing, harvesting, storage, and feed out management in a silage program is done correctly. This is now critical to a successful dairy operation because the dollars at stake are significant. These decisions can make as much as $50.00 per ton difference. It seems crazy; but, it is true!

11 a.m.-Noon What UW-Madison Dairy Cows Told Us About Corn Shredlage™

Dr. Randy Shaver, Professor, Dairy Science Dept., University of Wisconsin – Madison, Wis.

A novel method of harvesting whole-plant corn silage, Corn Shredlage™, has generated much interest by dairy producers and their nutritionists. Corn shredlage is harvested with a commercially-available self-propelled forage harvester fitted with aftermarket cross-grooved crop processing rolls and the harvester set for a longer theoretical length of cut than commonly used. Dr. Shaver will discuss the findings of a study conducted at UW-Madison to determine the effect of feeding a TMR containing shredlage compared to conventional-processed corn silage on intake, lactating performance, and starch digestibility by dairy cows.

Noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break

1-1:45 p.m. The State of Colorado’s Water

John Salazar, Commissioner of Agriculture, Colorado Department of Agriculture – Denver, Colo.

Ron Carleton, Deputy Commissioner, Colorado Department of Agriculture –Denver, Colo.

Looking forward to this winter, and the moisture it could bring, is critical to Colorado’s agricultural industry. But, what if the “flood gates” do not open? Commissioner’s Salazar and Carleton will discuss the current state of our water situation in Colorado and provide us with insight regarding possible changes. They will offer some solutions, if any, that may address the impact that our water conditions will have on our livestock growth.

1:45-3:30 p.m. Panel Discussion – Alternative Feeds

Judd Butler, General manager, JBS Five Rivers Feedyard – Gilcrest, Colo.

Dr. Tony Bryant, Nutritionist, JBS Five Rivers Feedyard – Windsor, Colo.

Dr. Davy Brown, Dairy Nutritionist, Compass Nutrition – Eaton, Colo.

Ryan Trinkler, Marketer, Wilbur Ellis, Golden, Colo.

Brad Olsen, Grain Marketing Manager, Front Range Energy, Windsor, Colo.

Thomas Lee, Co-Products Sales, Western Sugar

Widespread drought over the past couple of years has resulted in not only feed shortages; but, the feed sources available have become expensive. This has led ranchers, dairymen, and livestock feeders to look and think “outside of the box” when it comes to finding viable, alternative feedstuffs for livestock. This panel will discuss strategies that producers can consider when looking to replace traditional feedstuffs into livestock diets. They will also compare the nutritional impact alternative feeds may or may not have in rations.

2013 Dairy Days

Wednesday, January 30, 2012 Events Center Room A

9-9:05 a.m. Welcome

Dr. Noa Roman-Muniz, Ext. Dairy Specialist/Assist. Prof., CSU Dept. Animal Sciences-Ft. Collins, Colo.

9:05-10 a.m. Animal Welfare Issues in the Dairy Industry

Dr. Temple Grandin, Professor of An. Science, Dept. of Animal Sciences, CSU – Ft. Collins, Colo.

Dr. Grandin will discuss animal welfare issues and the problems associated with the public becoming totally disconnected from Agriculture. She will stress how the dairy industry needs to look at everything that we do and ask ourselves “How will this look on YouTube?”

10-11 a.m. Why Animal Welfare & Why Now? The Customers Perspective on Animal Welfare and Why it Matters

Dr. Jennifer Walker, Director, Dairy Stewardship, Dean Foods – Dallas, Texas

While many feel as if animal agriculture has been thrust into the animal welfare debate, the reality is, other segments of animal agriculture have been entrenched in the conversation for years while the dairy industry has, until recently, remained at periphery. In spite of the frustration that comes with such criticism, the dairy industry stands to benefit from the experience of other segments of animal agriculture. Developing an effective and defensible approach to animal welfare will require that we not only recognize these similarities and differences, it requires that we understand what consumers and customers are seeking AND it requires that we empower the care givers and stewards to promote and safeguard the welfare of dairy cattle.

11-11:05 a.m. Travel Voucher Giveaway

11:05 a.m.-Noon

Producer Panel Discussion – Ensuring Animal Well-Being on Colorado Dairy Farms

Moderator – Mike Veeman, Owner, Veeman & Sons Dairy – Wiggins, Colo.

Dr. Beth Atwell, Veterinarian/Herd Manager, Long Meadow Dairy – Greeley, Colo.

Dr. Garrett DeVries, Owner, Monte Vista Dairy – Gill, Colo.

Panel members will lead an open forum discussion about the practices that they incorporate on their farms to ensure the well-being on a herd and individual cow level. They will discuss employee training strategies and protocols in place that promote the safety, comfort, health, and respect for quality of life that their animals deserve throughout their lives.

11:50 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunch Break

1-2 p.m. Benchmarking Starch Digestibility – Corn Silage, Shredlage, and Snaplage.

Dr. Randy Shaver, Professor, Dairy Science Dept., University of Wisconsin – Madison, Wis.

Carbohydrates, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), and Non-Factual Carbohydrates (NFC), comprise about 70% of the dry matter in diets for lactating cows. Starch is the major component of the NFC fraction and ruminal and/or total-tract digestibility of starch varies depending largely on grain type and processing. With increased corn prices, there has been an increased interest in the potential for feeding reduced-starch diets to high producing dairy cows in mid-lactating by replacing corn grain with NDF from either high-fiber by products or corn silage. Will this work? Is this beneficial to feed efficiency and Income Over Feed Costs (IOFC)?

2-3 p.m. Beyond Feed Conversion – New Look at Dairy Profitability

Dr. Greg Bethard, DRMS and G&R Dairy Consulting, Inc. – Blacksburg, Va.

We are in an era of high feed costs. Traditional measures of feed costs and feeding economics don’t work anymore. A new and fresh look at feeding economics is needed. Dr. Bethard will share his views on what producers and their nutritionist should be considering when feeding today’s dairy cows.

3-3:05 p.m. Travel Voucher Giveaway

2013 Partners In Ag

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Events Center Room C

9-10:15 a.m. Oral Family History

Dr. Ron Ross, Publisher of Tidbits Greeley & the Voice of Tidbits Radio, Author and Speaker – Loveland, Colo.

Your family tree is one thing; your family history is something else. A genealogy tells a limited story of who begat whom. A family history tells who, what, when, where, why and how. Learn how to discover, gather and entrust your family history for the generations who will follow you from Dr. Ron Ross, author of “Your Family History – A Guide to Preserving Family History.”

10:30-Noon Yodeling Cowboy

Vic Anderson – Estes Park, Colo.

Vic, an original Montana Cowboy himself, provides authentic True Western Entertainment reminiscent of the Roy Rogers and Gene Autry era; an era when the Good Guys wore white hats and were True Heroes. He is a many time International Yodeling Champion and is ranked in the top 20 melodic whistlers in the country. Whether he’s reciting some of his original cowboy poetry or quoting others, you are sure to be entertained in Old Western tradition.

Noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break

1-3 p.m. Colorado Farm Bureau Legislative Update

Brent Boydston, Vice President of Public Policy, Colorado Farm Bureau – Centennial, Colo.

Nick Colglazier, Director of Public Policy State Affairs, Colorado Farm Bureau-Centennial, Colo.

Brent and Nick will be discussing the Federal and State legislative sessions. What can be expected and what are the impacts to Colorado Farmers and Ranchers as a result of the November elections? Will regulations be reined in or expanded? Will property rights be eroded or protected? Why is it important for you to be a Colorado Farm Bureau member?

2013 Colorado Weather Report

Wednesday January 30, 2013 Events Center Room B

1-3 p.m. The Drought and Beyond. After the Drought of 2012, What Comes Next?

Nolan Doesken, State Climatologist & CoCoRaHS Program Director, CSU-Ft. Collins, Colo.

This presentation will provide a comprehensive assessment of the weather conditions of 2012 and how it ranked in historic perspective for Colorado. It ended up being one of the hottest springs and summers since 1934. 2012 was similar to the drought of 2002 in that the entire state of Colorado was affected. But, this time much of the country also shared in the misery of heat and persistent dryness. Long range predication is never easy; but, we will look ahead to 2013. Developing El Nino conditions had brought optimism that 2013 would likely be a better year for Colorado Agriculture. Unfortunately, that El Nino has already begun to fade. Nolan will discuss what that might mean for Colorado Agriculture. http://www.cocorahs.org

2013 Equine Day

Thursday January 31, 2013 Events Center Room A

9 a.m.-Noon Update on the Unwanted Horse: Where Do We Go From Here?

Ron McDaniel, National Sales Manager-Equine, Merck Animal Health, Sulphur Springs, Ark.

Ron is part of a team that developed a partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) to create the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign, a program that benefits the horse, helps rescue facilities, and provides some positive PR about what the AAEP and their members are doing to care for horses that are no longer wanted or are abandoned. Ron will give an update on the unwanted horse situation, recap what has been done to up to this point, and share how individuals can help these horses.

Noon-1:30 p.m. Lunch Break

1:30-4 p.m. First Aid for Your Horse – When to Call The Vet

Dr. Josh Zacharias, Equine Surgeon, Countryside Large Animal Veterinary Services-Greeley, Colo.

Horses are prone to injuries and illness. Cuts, scrapes, bumps, and belly aches are common concerns among horse owners. Many small cuts that look harmless can very well be serious threats to the horse’s soundness and life. Other large flesh wounds may look bad and heal well with conservative treatment. Recognizing types, abnormalities, and first air will be covered along with a brief overview of conditions that should be seen by a veterinarian.

2013 Partners In Ag

Thursday, January 31, 2013 Events Center Room C

9-10:15 a.m. Container Gardening

Ann Lyons, Owner, Green Thumb Annies – Greeley, Colo.

Brandy Staves, General manager, Happy Life Gardens – Evans, Colo.

Don’t have a lot of space for a garden? Container gardening is the perfect way to exercise your green thumb whether you live in a house with a yard, a patio home, or a condo with a balcony. Ann and Brandy will share new and exciting ideas that will help you to brighten your landscaping, grow the freshest herbs for your table, and create perfect plant combinations for season-long color.

10:30 a.m.-Noon Preserving the Harvest

Edie McSherry, Larimer County Extension Agent, Food Safety Education, CSU

Edie will present an overview of the three main methods of preserving food: freezing, dehydrating, and canning. The presentation will cover up-to-date research tested recommendations for safely preserving food at home.

Noon-1 p.m. Lunch Break

1-1:30 p.m. Irrigation System Recognition

Join the Weld County Noxious Weed Advisory Board in honoring the winners of the 3rd annual Irrigation System Recognition Program. In this program local Irrigation Systems and/or Employees of Irrigation Systems have been nominated for their outstanding service and work towards controlling noxious weeds along the canals for their members and other landowners.

2-3:30 p.m. Rocky Mountain Raptors

The Rocky Mountain Raptor Program inspires appreciation and protection for raptors and the spaces here they live through excellence in rehabilitation, education and research. The RMRP in Fort Collins has been aiding in saving the lives of raptors for 25 years and educating audiences about these amazing animals and their role in our world. In this presentation, we will explore the ways that raptors and agriculture have been intertwined for as long as humans have sowed the earth. ❖