Professional News

Mid-South Stocker Conference 'Grass to Cash' Virtual for 2022

Image of cows in field
Grass to Cash is the theme of the 2022 Mid-South Stocker Conference. Photo by Matt Barton, UK Agricultural Communications Specialist

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 25, 2022)  The 2022 Mid-South Stocker Conference will challenge producers to take a broad view of their operations from the comfort of their homes. Due to the pandemic, the conference is taking place online with the theme “Grass to Cash: Forage Opportunities for Stocker Cattle.”  

The conference is an annual event, a partnership of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the University of Tennessee. This year, the free conference is noon to 2:45 p.m. EST Wednesday, Feb. 23.  

“The online conferences are shorter than previous, in-person events, but they are packed with valuable information,” said Jeffrey Lehmkuhler, UK extension beef specialist. “We had good attendance with the online conference last year, and we hope to attract even more producers this year.” 

The opening session will focus on grazing management for stockers with Matt Poore, ruminant nutrition specialist for North Carolina State University. The second session begins at 12:40 p.m. when Liesel Schneider, assistant professor of animal science, and Clair Hunkler, animal science graduate teaching assistant, both from UT, will discuss respiratory disease in stocker cattle. At 1:15 p.m., Jimmy Henning, UK forage extension specialist, will discuss baleage production. At 1:40 p.m., attendees may watch virtual tours of Kentucky and Tennessee stocker operations, followed by a stocker operator panel discussion at 2:10 p.m.  

Interested individuals can find more information and register at https://midsouthstockerconference.utk.edu/. After registration, participants will receive instructions on how to connect to the event. The Mid-South Stocker Conference helps operators explore ideas for efficient and healthy cattle production and helps define stocker production’s role in a rapidly evolving cattle industry to effectively meet consumer expectations.  

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

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