Photo of black cattle feeding in a winter environment. — Higher feed costs this year compared to 2020 underscore the need for cattle operations to get the most out of their winter nutrition programs. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services)

OSU Ranchers Thursday Lunchtime Series targets wintertime beef cattle management

Thursday, September 30, 2021

Media Contact: Donald Stotts | Agricultural Communications Services | 405-744-4079 | donald.stotts@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University Extension is hosting a new lineup of Ranchers Thursday Lunchtime Series events in October. The group of free Zoom webinars will kick off with insights about how much to cull beef cattle herds and focus on ways to best manage winter feed costs while providing livestock with needed nutrition.

Zoom webinars are scheduled for Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Oct. 28. The weekly series is free to the public, but registration is required for each event. Questions and feedback are encouraged. All October webinars will begin at noon and end about 1 p.m.

“Join our Beef Cattle Extension team, experienced ranchers, scientists and others to learn and share useful tips about beef cattle production, management and marketing,” said Dave Lalman, OSU Extension beef cattle nutritionist. “The series is like one-stop shopping. We cover pretty much everything over time. Spending lunch with us is an investment that can provide real-world benefits for ranchers and their operations.”

Of paramount importance to ranchers this year are ways to manage feed costs, which are 30-40% more compared to 2020, Lalman said. There have been a number of reasons for higher feed prices, from bad crop weather shrinking world harvests, to an increased demand for beef, to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Anything we can do to help livestock producers mitigate negative effects of higher feed costs translates to benefits for the entire industry, and that includes consumers who have been paying more for their meat products,” Lalman said.

The Zoom webinar format is designed for participants to interact with beef cattle specialists from across the country. October sessions will showcase experts from OSU Extension, Montana State University, the University of Arkansas and more.

Visit OSU Beef Cattle Extension’s Ranchers Thursday Luncheon Series online webinar pages to learn more or watch past Zoom sessions.

For additional information, contact Lalman by email at david.lalman@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-6060.