West Central Cattlemen's Day series offered at 10 locations

McCOOK, Neb. -- Nebraska and Colorado Extension Educators plan a series of meetings in nine locations across western Nebraska and eastern Colorado -- four in Southwest Nebraska -- to focus on the changing beef industry.

Last year was not as good as 2014, according to the Extension Educators. Cattle prices in 2015 were lower in some cases by $500 per calf. Mother Nature, as usual, was unpredictable but generally wetter than previous years. Input prices also continued to creep upward -- forage was no exception.

"To stock or not to stock?" That is the question. "Managing Replacements to Maximize Heifer Values: Can You Afford to Rebuild Your Herd?" Robert Tigner, Nebraska Extension Educator, will discuss restocking and replacing -- the economics of moving forward on the ranch.

The latest research on "Fly Control for Your Pastured Cattle" will be discussed by Nebraska Extension Educator Dave Boxler.

"Winter Feeding Strategies for Cows and Stockers" will be discussed by Nebraska Extension Educator Erin Laborie.

Other topics for the program include:

"Increasing Reproductive Efficiency of the Cow Herd" by Randy Saner, Nebraska Extension Educator

"Transporting Cattle According to BQA Standards" by Chris Shelley, CSU Livestock Agent

"Grazing System Management and Using Annual Forages" by Troy Walz, Nebraska Extension Educator

"Importance of Beef Quality Assurance in a Modern Beef Operation" by Kacy Atkinson, CSU Extension Livestock Production Agent

"Forage Kochia" by Strahinja Stepanovic, Nebraska Extension Educator

Dates and locations of the programs are as follows:

Jan. 14 -- Ogallala, Quality Inn, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., contact (308) 284-6051

Jan. 21 -- North Platte, Lincoln County Fairgrounds, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., contact (308) 532-2683

Jan. 25 -- Curtis, NCTA Education Center, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., contact (888) 367-4424 or (308) 367-4424

Jan. 27 -- Oxford, Mulligan's, 4:30 p.m.to 8:30 p.m., contact (308) 268-3105

Feb. 3 -- Minden, Kearney County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., contact (308) 832-0645

Feb. 4 -- Imperial, Cross Roads Wesleyan Church, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. MT, contact (308) 882-4731

Feb. 9 -- Culbertson, Hitchcock County Fairgrounds, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., contact Red Willow County Extension office, (308) 345-3390

Feb. 10 -- Yuma, Colorado, Yuma County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. MT, contact (970) 332-4151

Feb. 24 -- Loup City, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., contact (308) 745-1518

Register one week prior at the local extension office for a meal count.