Released: February 08, 2002

K-State Cattlemen’s Day is Mar. 1

MANHATTAN, Kan. – A presentation on how retail beef sales are changing, and discussions on biosecurity and beef safety will be featured during the 89th annual Cattlemen’s Day set for March 1 at Kansas State University.

The event kicks off at 8 a.m. with registration, a trade show and educational exhibits at the Brandeberry Sports Complex, southwest of the football stadium. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event features presentations by invited speakers. There is no cost to attend Cattlemen’s Day events, which includes a free lunch.

The program includes a speech by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts regarding food safety issues for cattlemen, as well as sessions featuring Kansas Livestock Association President Mike Collinge, and Ken Parnell of the Wal-Mart Corporation, the nation’s leading retailer of fresh meats.

Parnell’s talk on "The Changing Face of Retail Beef Sales" is the featured presentation of the morning session. Collinge will talk about challenges facing the beef industry, while Roberts will discuss proposed legislation to enhance security of the country’s agricultural industries.

K-State Research and Extension specialists will give updates on new beef research at the university. Additional focus sessions include:

* information on such infectious diseases as mad cow disease and foot-and-mouth disease;

* tools and technologies for electronic identification;

* new consumer-friendly beef products, including case-ready, enhanced and heat-n-serve foods;

* controlling flies in range cattle; and

* the value of fat in beef cow rations.

Also, demonstrations will be held at the nearby K-State Beef Cattle Research Center.

The annual Stockmen’s Dinner, which costs $20, will be held the night before (on Feb. 28) at the Manhattan Holiday Inn. Reservations for that event are due by Feb. 18 by calling 785-532-1241.

For more information on Cattlemen’s Day, interested persons are encouraged to visit the Website, http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/pr_cattleday/ or call Lois Schreiner in the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at 785-532-1267.

-30-

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Pat Melgares, News Coordinator
pmelgare@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News