The Range Beef Cow Symposium, a biannual education conference, is jointly presented by the extension services and animal science departments at the University of Nebraska, South Dakota State University, Colorado State University and the University of Wyoming.
The symposium focuses heavily on cow-calf producers and grazing operations. And while most attendees come from the four states, the diverse content and presentations have attracted producers from around the country.
Colorado State University will host this year’s events, albeit at the The Ranch event center in Loveland, located 14 miles from CSU’s campus and an hour north of Denver.
This year’s symposium is also a week before Thanksgiving, whereas previous events had been held the week after. Jason Ahola, Colorado State professor and an organizer for this year’s symposium, says the move was to reduce the risk of inclement weather and to avoid some state cattle producer meetings in nearby states and the National Finals Rodeo.
As for the scheduled agenda, a BQA certification workshop will be available on Monday, Nov. 16, before the symposium begins, with an additional seminar that night from Lee Leachman of Leachman Cattle of Colorado.
Tuesday’s opening sessions will include emphasis on marketing, consumer opinions and animal welfare issues, with additional views on science and factors driving consumer decisions and beef demand.
“The goal is to help cattle producers better understand consumer desires and develop strategies to supply what is in demand,” says Ahola. “We are excited that Michelle Paym-Knoper will be joining us as one of these speakers to discuss these challenges and hand out copies of her new book No More Food Fights, which focuses on how best to simultaneously address challenges faced by both consumers and producers.”
Afternoon sessions include speakers related to beef reproduction, genetics and production efficiency. The producer panel includes Trey Patterson of Padlock Ranches of Wyoming, Doug Olsen of Bridgeport, Nebraska, and Leachman from Wellington, Colorado.
Wednesday will continue with genetics topics, health management issues and several presentations on range and grazing. Ahola will conclude with a panel that includes younger producers in today’s industry.
The symposium concludes with more management topics and issues, and some final marketing discussions from Tom Brink of Dollar Angus and Duane Lenz of Cattle-Fax.
Tuesday and Wednesday sessions will conclude with bull pen sessions, where presenters are all available to answer questions in a social setting.
Walk-in registrations are available at the event. To learn more, go to the Range Beef Cow Symposium website. 
