Beef producers have to deal with the constant ebb and flow of their industry. Variables such as weather, market prices, fuel and other input costs, along with added influence of external forces of politics, economics, animal rights and consumer perceptions, make profitability a challenge.

The 2019 Mid-South Stocker Conference aims to help stocker operators by “Opening Pathways to Profitability” as they produce and market feeder cattle as efficiently as possible. Beef specialists from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the University of Tennessee will host the conference March 21 at the Quality Inn in Clarksville, Tennessee. The conference rotates between Kentucky and Tennessee each year.

“The stocker phase of beef production fits well with the landscapes of Kentucky and other mid-South states because of abundant, quality forages that help with efficient weight gains,” said Ben Crites, UK beef extension associate. “We’ve partnered with Tennessee for this conference for more than 10 years, and we’re looking forward to once again offering participants current, research-based information to help them have a successful operation.”

Sessions will begin at 8 a.m. CDT with speakers from several universities across the Southeast set to provide valuable information to assist the region’s stocker and backgrounding operations in finding additional profit margins in their businesses. Participants will also hear an update on the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and take part in sessions about economic evaluations and adding value by reconditioning culled cows.

Participants will have time to view the trade show and visit with vendors in the morning and early afternoon and at lunch to learn about available products and services. Topics for afternoon sessions include virtual tours of local operations, proper dart use and pinkeye.

Participants who register by March 1 will pay $50 for individuals, $90 per couple or $30 for students. On March 2, rates rise to $65 for individual tickets or $110 per couple and $45 for students.