New Cattlemen’s College Schedule Includes Sessions Every Day During CattleCon24 .
The 31st annual Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis, will be held in conjunction with CattleCon24, January 31-February 2, in Orlando, Florida. This premier educational experience draws more than 1,000 attendees every year and includes networking, idea sharing and informative sessions.
“We have a packed schedule featuring industry experts discussing a variety of trending topics,” said Michaela Clowser, director of producer education with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “We are excited to offer educational sessions all three days of convention.”
Cattlemen’s College begins Wednesday, January 31 with keynote speaker Dr. Clay Mathis, Animal Science department head at Texas A&M University. Dr. Mathis will discuss how recent industry challenges have created opportunities that can add resiliency to ranching systems.
The 2024 Cattlemen’s College schedule is designed to help cattle producers improve and grow cattle herds. Sessions will be held in classrooms as well as on the NCBA Trade Show floor and will feature industry leaders tackling innovative topics including nutrition, reproduction, genetics, sustainability, biosecurity and herd health.
Attendees can look forward to hearing from Kimberly Vonnahme, Zoetis; Brian Dorcey, DVM, Farmer’s Business Network; Angela Gonella, PhD, University of Florida; Don Close, Terrain; Cassidy Johnston, Not Your Average Rancher; Dan Leahy, Foundation for Ranch Management; Cadra Krueger, PhD, Alltech; Ross Bronson, Redd Summitt; George Perry, PhD, Texas A&M University; Chance Armstrong, DVM, Auburn University; Jeff Heldt, PhD, Selko; Jacob Gilley, American Farmland Trust; Justin Rhinehart, PhD, University of Tennessee; Matt Crouse, USMARC; Dusty Abney, PhD, Cargill Nutrition; and Raluca Mateescu, PhD, University of Florida.
Each year, the Cattlemen’s College agenda is developed based on feedback from producers, and their comments drive the program. One past attendee reflected that, “The biggest take away I found from attending Cattlemen’s College is that there is always a newer or better way of doing things. Falling under that idea of, ‘we’ve always done it this way’ is dangerous. Never be afraid of trying things a different way.”
With so much information presented, it is nearly impossible to experience all Cattlemen’s College has to offer in person. To make it easier to access content, all sessions will be recorded and available for registered attendees to watch at any time in the future. To register, select the Education Package, which offers the best value and combines admission to the convention and Cattlemen’s College. For more information, visit convention.ncba.org/.
Cattle producers attending Cattlemen’s College are eligible to apply for the Rancher Resilience Grant. The first 75 grant applicants will receive reimbursement for registration and up to three nights hotel. For more information and to apply, visit www.ncba.org/producers/rancher-resilience-grant.
