Associate farm reporter Carli Davenport spoke with OSU area livestock specialist Britt Hicks about the upcoming Five States Beef Conference, scheduled for October 14 in Beaver, Oklahoma. Hicks outlined the day’s program, noting a diverse lineup of expert speakers covering timely beef industry topics.
“Our first speaker is Dr. Jason Smith, he’s a beef cattle specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife out of Amarillo, talking on cow-calf and stocker grazing efficiency,” Hicks explained. He added that Emma Briggs, a Kansas State researcher who earned her PhD at OSU, will give a research update. Jonathan Kam, an OSU entomologist, will then speak on “pests of cattle, new and old.” The program also features Dr. Paul Beck from OSU on “management and economics of dairy beef crosses in stocker cattle,” Logan Thompson from Kansas State on life cycle analysis and carbon markets, Dr. Tommy Perkins from West Texas A&M on beef genetic technologies, and Mary Beth Day from Texas A&M AgriLife on “the economics of cow herd expression.”
Hicks highlighted the conference’s history, saying, “We started the first one in 2009. It was a joint effort between five states, Colorado, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, and Oklahoma organized it”. He explained that the event rotates locations: “Last year we did one in Boise City, Oklahoma, and Coldwater, Kansas. This year we’re going to do one in Dalhart on October 15 and do our one in Oklahoma in Beaver. We try to do it in Oklahoma every year since we are the organizers.”
When asked why producers should attend, Hicks emphasized the educational value of the event. “It should be a very informative meeting. Of course, there’s going to be a lot addressed,” he said. He also pointed out that a second session will take place in Dalhart the following day, featuring some speaker adjustments. For example, “Dr. Camden couldn’t make it from Stillwater, and Dr. Tim Steffens, who’s a range scientist at WT, is going to speak on range management.” Essentially, the goal of this conference is to reach different states and provide our producers with information directly from experts, which can help positively impact their farms or ranches.
Another perk is the dinner provided which is commonly locally sourced beef. Hicks confirmed that the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association will be providing dinner. “We’re assuming it’s steaks. It may be steak sandwiches, We just know they’re providing the meat”. For more information, Hicks encouraged producers to reach out to him or his counter partner, Loren Sizelove. “We look forward to having a successful conference.”
