Value Added Market Cow Program Offered

 

By: Mario Villarino

County Extension Agent – Agriculture and natural resources

 

All cattle operations rely on cattle sales to create cash flow. However, consumers are always interested in obtaining a quality product when they make a purchase at the market. The quality of the animals not suitable to remain in the ranch or dairy can make an impression in how people perceived the overall cattle industry. It is important that consumers get a quality product even coming from animals that change careers in the cattle operation. Market cows, or cull cows can provide significant income to ranchers and farmers and improving the quality of those animals can be worth looking into. To learn how to efficiently optimize the value of the market cow, Texas AgriLife Extension will be conducting a free seminar on Friday, July 9, 2010.

 

“Value Added Market Cows: Getting More Money for Your Market Dairy and Beef Cows,” is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sulphur Springs Livestock and Dairy Auction, located 1 mile south of I-30 on Highway 154 in Sulphur Springs. The program, hosted by Texas AgriLife Extension in Northeast Texas, and the Texas Beef Council, will focus on factors that impact dollars you receive from the cows sold at the auction or the packinghouse.

 

 

 

According to Dr. Dan Hale, Extension Meats Specialist in College Station and program coordinator, “Education on market cows is important to teach producers of beef how to generate a safe and quality product the consumer is looking for. Texas dairy and beef producers pay checkoff dollars for research and promotion of beef for each animal sold. The Texas Beef Council board of directors has decided to give back to both beef and dairy producers by providing educational opportunities to learn about the quality of beef they produce and economic incentives to the producer to raise high quality beef.”

 

 

 

Participants will hear a panel of beef and dairy cattle experts and marketers discuss the factors that impact selling price. In addition, there will be a “virtual” packing plant tour showing animals from the holding pen to carcass and meat processing to show and observe their differences, and review them live and then as carcasses.

 

Following the lunch, sponsored by Texas Beef Council, a question and answer session regarding animal Health Product Use and Withdrawal Times will be held. This will be followed by Humane Handling of Market Cows, where participants will learn the principles of identifying and handling cattle unfit to send to market, as well as humane handling of downed cattle, and proper carcass disposal.

 

 

 

The program will wrap up with subjects including the Economics of Marketing Cull Cows, Market Cow Issues and Problems, and How to get the Most from Market Cows.

 

As an added bonus, BQA credits will be offered for beef and dairy producers who qualify.

 

While the program is free, and open to anyone with an interest in the subject, dairy and beef producers attending should register and RSVP for lunch by July 2 by calling the Texas Beef Council at 1-800-846-4113 or emailing jhodgkins@txbeef.org. Registration is also available by calling the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443.

 

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