What is the Beef Conference?

It is a half-day, University of Florida Extension educational program for cattle ranchers in and around the Florida Panhandle. This educational program is a joint effort of County Extension Agents and University of Florida Beef and Forage Specialists.

2020 Program Focus

The past few years have been really hard for cattle producers in the Tri-state region. Tropical storms, hurricanes, drought and low cattle prices have been compounding issues. There is hope for the future, but the key is to learn from the past, to be better prepared for the next major challenge. The focus of the 2020 program will be Enhancing Ranch Resiliency, with speakers providing ideas on improving efficiency and a more flexible management plan for weather disasters. Matt Poore, NC State, will be the keynote speaker this year. He is one of the best Beef Extension Specialists in the South. Throughout his career his primary focus had been on herd nutrition but has shifted somewhat to help ranches become more resilient from natural disasters. Chris Prevatt, UF Livestock Economist will share a market outlook and two ways to reduce costs utilizing forages. Angela Gonella-Diaza is the new researcher added to the staff at the Beef Unit in Marianna. She will share ideas on how to improve herd reproduction efficiency. Weeds and insects reduce can significantly impact both yield and quality of forages. The final two presentations from Pratap Devkota, UF Weed Specialist, and Danielle Sprague, Jefferson County Agent, will guide ranchers to optimize pest management to reduce costs and maximize forage production. More specific details, and the exact schedule can be found at www.panhandleag.org.

How does the Trade Show work?

Table Top Displays will be set up on 8 foot tables along the walls and on the north side of the auditorium . Equipment Displays will be set up in a 12’ x 30’ area under the pavilion, or on the grass near the pavilion, just outside the auditorium. The $175 fee for exhibiting is the same for either type of display: exhibtors must choose one of the other, but not both.

The agenda will have designated times for ranchers to visit with the Trade Show Exhibitors: 45 minutes during registration, 45 minutes in the middle of the program, and 1 hour immediately after lunch is served. In order to boost interaction between ranchers and exhibitors at the event, exhibitors will be briefly introduced just prior to the Trade Show break.

Door prizes are another tool many of our exhibitors use to introduce ranchers to their products. Each participant will be given a door prize ticket at registration, so if you would like to provide some product, bring it with you to the event. Door prize tickets will be drawn as soon as the last participant is served though the lunch line.

Why is it worth my time and money?

175-200 cattle producers, extension faculty, and industry representatives from across the Tri-states region annually attend the Beef Conference. This type of format has been very successful for the past 34 years. Company representatives will make valuable contact with numerous beef producers from this region at one event.

The Beef Conference is a non-profit, annual extension educational program provided by the UF/IFAS Panhandle Ag Extension Team. The sponsorship money goes to cover the expenses of the event: speaker travel, drinks and snacks, and a steak lunch for everyone in attendance.