2009 Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days are Dec. 7-10

The University of Minnesota Beef Team has set this year’s Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days for Dec. 7-10 at five sites around the state. This year’s program will focus on management strategies to improve feedlot profitability.

Minnesota Cattle Feeder Days will take place at the Prairie Inn in Morris on Monday, Dec. 7; the Blue Mound Banquet Center in Luverne on Tuesday, Dec. 8; the Royal Loon in Slayton on Wednesday, Dec. 9; and the Southwest Research and Outreach Center in Lamberton and the LaQuinta Inn in Rochester on Thursday, Dec. 10. Registration will begin in Morris, Slayton, and Lamberton at 9 a.m. with the program at 9:30. In Luverne and Rochester, registration is at 5:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 6.

The topics for this year’s program are: Feedlot heifer nutrition and management by Jolene Kelzer of the U of M Beef Team; Ideal finishing weights and the meat processing industry by Dr. Ryan Cox of the U of M Beef Team; Nutrient management as a profit center in the feedlot by Kendal Thompson of DPI Global; and a consultant and feedlot manager panel led by Dr. Alfredo DiCostanzo of the U of M Beef Team and Case Gabel from Herd Co. Feedlot focusing on practical reflections on feedlot nutrition and management. In addition, Dr. Grant Crawford of the U of M Beef Team will provide an update of current Beef Team research and extension programming.

The cost for registration is $30, and $15 for each additional person from the same farm or family. The registration fee includes a meal and all educational materials. Pre-registration is encouraged by contacting the location coordinator. For Morris, contact Rhonda Wulf (320-231-7890 or wulfr@umn.edu); for Slayton, contact Mike Boersma (507-825-6715 or boers001@umn.edu); for Rochester, contact Lori Schott (320-225-5055 or weddl002@umn.edu), and for Luverne and Lamberton, contact Grant Crawford (320-234-0441 or craw0105@umn.edu).