Released: February 22, 2008

AgriTalk to Broadcast Live From K-State Cattlemen’s Day March 7

Dell Allen and Temple Grandin to Speak at K-State’s 95th Annual Cattlemen’s Day

MANHATTAN, Kan.- Kansas State University’s Cattlemen’s Day 2008, to be held March 7, will add a new twist this year – the nationally-distributed AgriTalk radio show.

Known as “The Voice of Rural America,” AgriTalk will broadcast portions of the program live between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Central Time from Weber Hall on K-State’s Manhattan campus. AgriTalk has several affiliates in Kansas and the surrounding region, including KGNO in Dodge City, KBUF in Garden City, KLOE in Goodland, KVBG in Great Bend, KSCB in Liberal, KULY in Ulysses, and Pittsburg’s KKOW.

Cattlemen’s Day will begin at 8 a.m. in Weber Arena with a commercial trade show and exhibits of cutting edge beef research. Presentations by featured speakers will begin at 10 a.m., and breakout sessions encompassing several timely and important production topics will be led by K-State scientists following the noon meal.

“A highlight of our program this year is a featured presentation by Dr. Dell Allen, who will discuss the past, present, and future of the beef industry,” said Jim Drouillard, professor of feedlot nutrition with K-State’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry.

“With unprecedented increases in production costs, branding initiatives and new product developments that lead to greater consumer satisfaction and demand for beef products are likely to play important roles in maintaining competitive prices for cattle producers. A former educator and meat industry executive, Dr. Allen brings a unique perspective and wealth of experience to this topic as a result of his many years of service and leadership in the meat industry.”

“We also are pleased to have Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned expert on animal behavior, who will address the topic of animal welfare from the consumer perspective,” Drouillard said. “This presentation by Dr. Grandin couldn’t be timelier, considering the recent publicity surrounding an investigation of inhumane treatment of cattle at a California abattoir.” Grandin is an associate professor at Colorado State University.

The day will wrap up with the K-State Legacy Bull Sale, held at the university´s Purebred Beef Unit at 3:30 p.m.

Early registration for the event is $15 per person if paid by Feb. 29, or $25 per person for on-site registration. Registration fees include morning refreshments and a catered lunch.

More information is available by checking the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry Web site at http://www.asi.ksu.edu (click on Cattlemen´s Day on the right side) or by calling 785-532-1281.

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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:
Mary Lou Peter-Blecha,
mlpeter@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News