Sept. 17, 2021
Dollars and Sense webinars address cow-calf producers concerns
By Tracy Courage
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast facts:
- Webinars set for Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, 7-9 p.m.
- Topics: current marketing conditions, GoGreen program requirements, calf nutrition and feeding options
- No cost to participate
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LITTLE ROCK — As cow-calf producers continue to face market volatility made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic, managing risk is more important than ever. Two upcoming webinars from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will shed some light on what cattle producers might expect in the coming fall marketing season and strategies for managing risk.
The Division of Agriculture, along with the Arkansas Cattleman’s Association, will present two Dollars & Sense for Cow/Calf Producers webinars on Sept. 28 and Oct. 5 from 7-8 p.m., CDT. Speakers will address concerns such as production costs, increasing feed costs and drought, and will provide updates on cattle markets as well.
“Cattle marketing is always volatile but appears to be more volatile this year,” said Mike Looper, professor and head of animal sciences for the Division of Agriculture. “We want to make sure we give producers an opportunity to learn how to better manage their risk and look at marketing options.”
The Sept. 28 webinar will focus on risk management, and the Oct. 5 webinar will provide producers with timely fall cattle market updates. The webinars are free, but registration is required.
Scheduled topics and speakers for the webinars include:
Tues. Sept. 28 — Risk Management for Cow/Calf Producers
- “Knowing Your Production Costs” — Daniel Rivera, director of Southwest Research and Extension Center in Hope and associate professor of animal science
- “Using Price Risk Management in Cow/Calf Production” — Josh Maples, assistant professor, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University
- “The Alphabet Soup of Risk Management Programs” — Marcus Creasy, Silveus Insurance Group agent
Oct. 5 — Fall Cattle Marketing Update
- “Market Climate and Marketing Considerations” — James Mitchell, Division of Agriculture livestock economist
- “Feeding Options for Weaned Calves” — Shane Gadberry, Division of Agriculture ruminant nutritionist
- “GoGreen Program Requirements” — Rachel Bearden, Hot Spring County extension agent
GoGreen is the name for the Natural State Preconditioned Calf Program, created to highlight calves that qualify for best management practices from weaning to marketing. Those calves display a GoGreen tag at the time of sale.
“One of the things we want to do is allow producers to add value to those weaned calves,” Looper said. “That helps spread out risks and increase overall revenue for the cow-calf producer.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension. To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter and Instagram at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media contact:
Tracy Courage
Director, Communications Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
tcourage@uada.edu