Mark Your Calendars!
Winter Conference - 2012
2012 Schedule
February 10-11, 2012
Wintergreen Resort Conference Center
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association with Co-Sponsors Announce the Annual Winter Conference
2012 Winter Conference Registration Form
The Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association and the Wisconsin Cattlewomen's Association proudly announce their annual Winter Conference will be held at the Wintergreen Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, on February 10 and 11, 2012. This year the groups again welcome co-sponsors, the Wisconsin Angus Association, Wisconsin Hereford Association, and the Wisconsin Shorthorn Association. These groups will hold their annual winter meetings at the Winter Conference.
The Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association and cooperating organizations hope to build on the success of the joint conference that was held last year. Over 300 producers and members of the Wisconsin beef industry joined together for the 2 day event in 2011. The groups are looking forward to another great opportunity for the Wisconsin beef industry to gather and interact for an informative and entertaining weekend.
This year's conference will feature a full day of educational sessions and meetings presented by the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association on Friday, February 10th. Saturday, February 11th will include the Wisconsin Cattlemen's, Wisconsin Angus, Wisconsin Hereford and Wisconsin Shorthorn Associations' annual meetings. In addition on Saturday there will be two educational sessions to fill out the program.
This year's educational programs will cover a variety of interests. Speakers will cover topics including areas such as nutrition, marketing, genetics, cattle handling, and legislative matters. Topics and features of the conference include:
- Dr. Amy Radunz, University of Wisconsin Extension Beef Specialist, and John Freitag, WI Beef Council Executive Director presenting "Cattle are What They Eat: How the Diet of Cattle Affects Palatability Traits and Nutrient Composition of Beef." The presentation will include a free beef tasting!
- Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company, speaking on "The Economic Landscape of World Cattle and Grain Markets."
- Dr. Kurt Vogel, UW-River Falls Assistant. Professor of Livestock Welfare and Behavior, presenting on "Animal Welfare for Beef Producers: What to Measure and How to Use It."
- Andy Vance, nationally known agriculture broadcaster and journalist of Ohio, presenting "You Tube-Proofing Agriculture: Lessons Learned from HSUS and Oprah. Andy will share insights and lessons from his experience covering Ohio's battle with animal rights juggernaut HSUS. Vance will discuss how agriculture must "YouTube-proof" farms and processing facilities, as well as the pitfalls of social media "agvocacy'."
- Chad Zehnder, Land O'Lakes Purina Feeds LLC - Beef Specialist, presenting on "Opportunities and Challenges with Current Feed Costs in the Beef Industry."
- Virtual Tours of Wisconsin Beef Operations featuring cow/calf and feedlot farms. The virtual tours will mainly feature how these operations have used and modified existing facilities for beef cattle with an emphasis on safe and efficient cattle handling as a major focus. Time will also be allowed for producers to ask questions to owners of these beef enterprises.
- The Legislative Update will be conducted by Terry Quam, the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association's Legislative Committee Chairperson and include Ben Brancel, WI DATCP Secretary. Discussions will include how changes in the elected Wisconsin legislature and other current topics will affect Wisconsin Cattlemen in 2012.
- On Saturday Andy Vance will present again. With "It's On the Internet, so it HAS to be true ...." Andy will discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of social media "agvocacy," and explain why using social media in agriculture is part of the cost of doing business today, as well as why farmers have to avoid developing a superiority complex."
During the banquet on Friday evening, the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association will be presenting the Communicator of the Year, Cattleman of the Year, and the Friend of the Cattlemen awards. The Grant County 4-H Livestock Judging Team will speak on their experiences during an international judging trip to Europe last summer. After the banquet musical entertainment will be provided by the Soggy Prairie Boys.
It is not necessary to be a member of any of the participating organizations to attend the Winter Conference. Friday's educational program advanced registration fee is $30/person or $50/couple. Students can attend the Friday program for $10. Saturday's meetings will have no cost except for meals. For information or registration materials, please contact Martha Olson at 608-228-1457, wisbeef@yahoo.com, or visit the WCA website at www.wisconsincattlemen.com where conference information and a brochure with registration information will be available for downloading when it is ready.
Lodging is available at the Conference location - the Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. A block of rooms will be held at a discounted rate for the conference. On Thursday and Friday nights, the rate will be $69 plus tax. On Saturday night the room rate will be $79 plus tax. Please reserve a room by calling 800-648-4765. Be sure to mention the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association Winter Conference, Block No. 301000, when calling in order to secure you room at the Conference rate.