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UNIVERSITY PARK -- In April and May, Penn State Extension will host three Southwest Beef Cattle Meetings, aimed at beef cattle producers, packers and industry professionals.
The workshops, which are free to attend, will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 22 and May 6 and 13, at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 2151 N. Main St., Washington.
Each event includes dinner and will cover a different topic:
• April 22: "Mineral Nutrition for Beef Cattle." Tara Felix, beef cattle extension specialist and associate professor of animal science in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, will discuss how minerals are critical in beef cattle operations. Mineral deficiencies can reduce reproductive rates in the cow herd and decrease growth rates in young cattle. Participants can learn how best to feed minerals to their cattle.
• May 6: "Packers and Producers: Relationships Matter." Representatives from Weimer Meats will share insights on how to interact with a packer to establish and continue a good working relationship. A producer panel will address questions on retail beef sales. Sales discussions will include halves and quarters versus the sale of retail, or "case-ready," cuts. Guests from Gillis Family Farm and McChesney Family Farm will join the event.
• May 13: "Cow Selection Principles." The cow is the basis of any beef cattle herd, organizers noted. Dustin Heeter, livestock extension educator, will discuss selecting foundational females for a productive herd.
This program is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Beef Producers Working Group. Advance registration is appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/campaigns/sw-beef-cattle-meeting .