By KELLY HECKAMAN
Extension Educator, Purdue Extension, Kosciusko County

WARSAW — Purdue Extension in Kosciusko and Elkhart counties will work together to host the 2016 Ohio Beef Cattle School at 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 19, Feb. 2 and Feb. 16.

The beef cattle industry is quickly evolving. The Purdue Extension will explore that evolution with three fast-paced, forward-thinking sessions being planned for the 2016 Ohio Beef Cattle School webinar series developed by The Ohio State University Extension Beef Team and hosted by Purdue Extension.

Purdue Extension in Kosciusko County is hosting the first session on Jan. 19, at the extension office in Warsaw, 202 W. Main St. Dr. Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension, will kick off the program with his insight into the beef cattle markets, where they’ve been, where they may be going and how they will get there. Peel will discuss the factors that have pressured the market and suggest if, and when they will subside and to what level they might recover. Sam Roberts, Producers Livestock; will also join the broadcast and offer suggestions on market risk management and capturing profitable pricing opportunities in the coming year.

The Feb, 2, session is hosted in Kosciusko County at the extension office in Warsaw. The attention in this session turns back to the basics in an effort to bust some myths that may be negatively affecting our bottom line. Members of the OSU Extension Beef Team will take turns addressing some of the management questions and comments we’ve received during Beef School sessions over the years. This will be a fast paced look at a variety of profit centered concepts including calving windows, genetic choices, breeding management, crossbreeding and economic traits that will be the most meaningful in coming years.

The final installment of the school will be held on Feb. 16, and hosted at the Purdue Extension Office in Elkhart County at the fairgrounds. Dr. Lyda Garcia, assistant professor of meat science at Ohio State University concludes the series with a focus on end product with a discussion on enhancing end product values from a point of view through the live animal.

These sessions will follow a similar format used in the past as each session will be broadcast locally via an internet link.

There is no charge to attend any session of the beef school. However, to assist us with handouts and program materials, RSVP to Purdue Extension — Kosciusko County (574) 372-2340 or email [email protected] one week in advance of the sessions you would like to attend. You may attend one or all three of the sessions.