Extension Offers Interactive Beef Cattle Short Course

Beef cattle producers in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi can go high tech with an interactive video short course on beef cattle genetics in November. The beef cattle genetics short course, sponsored by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, will have three sessions, November 1, 8 and 15.

The interactive course is open to any producer interested in learning more about beef cattle genetics. Sessions will run from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on each of these Tuesday nights.

Interactive video allows presenters to reach many geographic locations at once. However, questions can be asked at any time during the presentations, and all other participants will hear the question and the response. Moderators will be present at each location throughout Alabama to answer additional questions.

The November 1 session will focus on beef cattle genetics basics. Dr. Lisa Kriese-Anderson, an Extension animal scientist and Auburn University animal science professor, and Dr. Scott Greiner from Virginia Tech University will provide information on the basic tools needed for genetic selection in beef cattle today.

On November 8, the focus will shift to beef cattle adaptability and crossbreeding. Dr. Don Franke from Louisiana State University and Dr. Tom Field from Colorado State University will demonstrate how to select cattle for the environment and what types of crossbreeding systems will work.

Session 3 on November 15 goes beyond expected progeny differences. Dr. Daryl Strohbehn from Iowa State University will demonstrate a custom sire ranking program, while Dr. Dan Moser from Kansas State University will discuss other technologies available for selection of beef cattle.

Contact your county Extension office for a complete program and locations with interactive video. The program can also be downloaded from http://www.aces.edu/animalforage/.

Producers should pre-register with your regional Extension animal science agent, or your county Extension office. Pre-registration is due no later than Friday, October 28.

Registration is $15.00 and can be payed at the first class. The fee covers the course and written materials.

Posted by at October 21, 2005 03:31 PM