North Dakota State University’s Dickinson Research Extension Center will host the first World Cattlemen’s Cow Efficiency Congress in Dickinson on Sept. 1-3.

The congress will focus on helping cattle producers identify factors affecting cow herd efficiency and ranch profitability.

The event will feature information from research conducted at the Dickinson Research Extension Center (DREC) and presentations from researchers at other universities who have studied profitability in the cattle industry. The conference also will include a pasture tour at the center aboard horse-drawn wagons.

Kris Ringwall, center director, will talk about how cow size relates to herd and feedlot performance. For Ringwall, who also serves as an NDSU Extension Service beef specialist, hosting the inaugural World Cattleman’s Cow Efficiency Congress is fitting for the center because of landmark research being conducted at the DREC Ranch near Manning.

“We are striving to find effective beef production systems that will carry us into the next century,” Ringwall says. “We are looking at different avenues to do that, and efficiencies and reducing cow costs are the way to do that.”

The program begins Friday, Sept. 1, with a discussion on cow efficiency, economics and rebranding strategies, followed by a meal at the Medora Pitchfork Fondue and the Medora Musical at the Burning Hills Amphitheater.

The Saturday program and wagon tour will be at the DREC Ranch southwest of Manning.

Keynote speaker David Lalman, Oklahoma State University professor and Extension beef cattle specialist, will discuss matching cow types to your environment.

Other speakers and their topics are:

• Clint Rusk, Oklahoma State University animal science department head - how to select efficient cows
• Lauren Hulsman Hanna, an assistant professor, and Kendall Swanson, a professor, both in NDSU’s Animal Sciences Department - effects of frame size on efficiency and longevity
• Rob Maddock, an associate professor in the NDSU Animal Sciences Department - cow size and frame as they relate to carcass endpoints

Saturday’s program will end with a ranch tour and meal at the nearby Shetler Cattle Co. Presenters will talk about soil health and water infiltration. Nationally known cowboy poet Rodney Nelson will perform.

The congress wraps up Sunday, Sept. 3, with a cattle photography workshop led by Tracey Koester of Cow Camp Promotions and a choice of a scramble golf tournament or a tour of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the historic town of Medora.

Registration for the entire program is $150, and for Saturday only, the cost is $75. Preregistration for the Saturday wagon tour and program is required by Aug. 21, but the fee can be paid on Sept. 2.

Visit the American Aberdeen Association’s website at http://www.AmericanAberdeen.com for more information about the World Cattlemen’s Cow Efficiency Congress or to register.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - Aug. 15, 2017