RENO – The annual Cattlemen’s Update, an industry event to share market, production and research updates with Nevada’s ranchers, will be hosted via Zoom Jan. 12-13.
The University of Nevada, Reno has hosted the Cattlemen’s Update for more than 40 years, with sessions provided throughout the state. This year’s changes are due to public health restrictions on gathering sizes and events.
“The livestock industry has been impacted by COVID with volatility in livestock prices, and it is imperative that we reach out to this audience to discuss these impacts,” said Staci Emm, the UNR professor and Extension educator who organizes the event.
The update is offered for free this year and each of four sessions will include a mix of live and recorded presentations featuring experts from the University’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources, its Extension and Experiment Station units and others from across the state.
Emm said she knows not all of the event’s usual attendees will be able to access the event online, but organizers are calling past participants to get them the program information. They’re also expecting a number of new audience members, however, from other Western states.
This year’s sessions include:
Session 1. Animal Health Tuesday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. – noon
- Nevada State Veterinarian Update – Amy Mitchell, state veterinarian, Nevada Department of Agriculture
- Local Nevada Veterinarians Update – Panelists include: Randy Wallstrum, Western Nevada; Jeffrey Oyler, Lahontan Valley Vet Clinic; and JJ Goicoechea, Eureka Valley Vet
- Feed Trials Research – Mozart Fonseca, assistant professor of agriculture; University of Nevada, Reno
- Youth for the Quality Care of Animals/Prepare to Respond – Lindsay Chichester, assistant professor and Extension educator in Douglas County; University of Nevada, Reno
Session 2. Livestock Processing and Slaughter, Tuesday, Jan. 12, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Cattle Price Dynamics: Markets, Feedlots and Packers – Brett Crosby, co-owner, Custom Ag Solutions
- Nevada Beef Checkoff Activities – Jill Scolfield, producer relations, California/Nevada Beef Council
- University of Nevada, Reno’s Mobile Slaughter Project – Staci Emm, professor and Extension educator in Mineral County; University of Nevada, Reno
- Wet Versus Dry Aging Your Meat – Amilton DeMello, assistant professor of agriculture; University of Nevada, Reno
Session 3. Economic Overview of Agriculture in Nevada, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m. – noon
- National Market Update for Nevada Ag Products – Malieka Bordigioni, research manager with economics, Extension and the Experiment Station; University of Nevada, Reno
- Western States Cattle, Hay and Dairy Economic Outlook – Shannon Neibergs, economist, Washington State University; and director, Western Risk Management Extension Center
- Cattle Buyer Panel: What You Should Know – Panelists include: Wade Small, Agri-beef; Mike Rucks, Cattle Operations, Harris Feeding Operations; David Stix, Stix Cattle Company
- Nevada Weather Update: Drought – Stephanie McAfee, associate professor of geography and Nevada state climatologist; University of Nevada, Reno
Session 4. Rangelands and Rangeland Management, Wednesday, Jan. 13, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Assessing the Conditions of Riparians and How They Relate to Rangeland Health Standards for Nevada:
- Paul Meiman, associate professor of rangeland sciences and Extension specialist; University of Nevada, Reno
- Barry Perryman, professor of rangeland sciences; University of Nevada, Reno
- Brad Schultz, professor of rangeland sciences and Extension educator in Humboldt County; University of Nevada, Reno
- Wild Horse and Burro Update – Perryman
- Virtual Fencing Project Update – Meiman
Participants are asked to register in advance at https://unrextension.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sConbRpUS-ajCc9RjieYgw. To receive a producer packet of information, including the Red Book and a 2020 Noxious Weed Book, prior to the event, or for more information, contact Emm at emms@unr.edu or 775-475-4227. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call or notify Emm at least three days prior to the scheduled event.
