The 2007 Mid-South Stocker Conference in Cave City is set for Feb. 13 and 14. This year’s theme is “Managing Change.” Stocker production is the phase of beef production between weaning and placement in a feedlot for finishing. As the market demands heavier, healthier cattle for feedlot placement, the stocker phase has grown.“This phase of production fits producers in Kentucky and the Mid-South well, due to abundant supplies of forages for efficient gains and a ready supply of quality calves,” said John Johns, University of Kentucky Extension beef specialist.The conference begins at 1 p.m. CST on Feb. 13, with a tour of successful area stocker operations. Johns said the tour will provide an opportunity to interact with the producers on these farms and allow tour participants to discuss and share the experience with each other. The tour includes an independent producer alliance, a contract dairy heifer producer and CPC Livestock, the largest backgrounder in the eastern United States. After the tour, attendees will make their way to the Cave City Convention Center for a reception and trade show. The program for Feb. 14 consists of topics related to stocker production with nationally recognized experts leading the discussions. Topics include Opportunities for the Stocker Cattle Industry in the Mid-South; Realities and Opportunities for Stocker Cattle in the Export Market; an update on the voluntary national identification program; a profitability outlook for stocker cattle; Price and Risk Management; Receiving Nutrition – Getting Calves Started Right; Persistent Infection with BVDV – What it Means in Stocker Cattle. In the latter session, a producer panel of successful backgrounders in Kentucky and Tennessee will discuss what they do and why it works.The conference is sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Services of the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee, and the Kentucky and Tennessee Cattlemen’s Associations, in partnership with cattle industry agribusinesses. Registration is $95 by Feb. 7, and $145 after. For more information, visit the conference Web site at http://www.midsouthstockerconference.org or contact Johns at 859-257-2853, e-mail jtjohns@uky.edu.