The Symposium included informative seminars, a trade show and live cattle display pens.

Highlights from the excellent group of speakers included:

• Reproductive Advancements and Synchronization Strategies in the Beef Industry
• Impact of Docility in the Bos Indicus Cattle Population
• Feeding the Performance Bull and Replacement Heifer through a Drought
• Factors Impacting Feeder Calf Prices at the Local Sale Barn
• Role of Beefmaster Cattle in the Commercial Replacement Female Market
• Bovine Anatomy and Ultrasonic Evaluation of Beef Cattle
• Stephen F. Austin University Beefmaster Research Update

 Over 150 purebred and commercial breeders attended the event, including international visitors from Thailand and Mexico. “The quality of the speakers and the attendance at our Symposium was outstanding,” said Tommy Perkins, Ph.D., BBU Executive Vice President. “I would like to thank the Louisiana Beefmaster Breeders Association, Arkansas Beefmaster Breeders Association, Southeastern Beefmaster Breeders Association, the BBU task force committee members who helped organize the Symposium, the sponsors, trade show vendors, speakers and more importantly the attendees for making it such a successful event.”

The Symposium attendees were also entertained by Mr. Reese Tassin, Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) member from Louisiana, with a very informative speech on the U.S. Beef Check-Off program.  Tassin was the intermediate champion in the speech contest held at the JBBA National Heifer Show and Convention last month.  Other junior members from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas were also in attendance.

The cattle displays and tradeshow vendors include the Beef On Forage Performance Bull Sale, Central Texas Beefmaster Breeders Association, Channarock Farms, Cherry Glen Beefmasters, Genex Custom Collection Services, Heritage Cattle Company, I – O – C Beefmasters, L2 Ranch, McKenzie’s Beefmasters, Mix 30 Liquid Feed, Pfizer Animal Genetics, Sheldon McManus Beefmasters, Swinging “B” Ranch, T Eight Ranch, and Trans-Ova Genetics.

“I would like to extend a special thanks to the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association members for preparing the Nolan Ryan ‘s All Natural Beef  Steaks and the hamburgers during the two day event” said Perkins.  Contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 for more information.

—From Beefmasters Breeders United news release