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BQA Transportation Symposium Registration Open

Attention all cattle transporters, dairymen, cattle farmers and ranchers:  The Cattle Transportation Symposium, funded in part by the beef checkoff, is set for May 14-15 in Fort Collins, Colo. The symposium provides a venue for industry experts and stakeholders to gather and discuss issues, research, and solutions that directly relate to cattle transportation. The goal is to provide clarity about the state of the industry and the future of cattle transportation in the United States.

Registration for the event is now open and a tentative schedule has been posted.

“Producers will have the opportunity to hear more about loading and unloading practices for ranch, feedlot and dairy cattle, how to select animals that are fit for transport and principles of proper cattle transportation using stock trailers, including loading, hauling, and unloading, as well as weather-related considerations,” says Dr. Dan Thomson, Jones professor of production medicine and epidemiology and director of the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and 2015 National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Educator of the Year.

“Managing cattle stress at the time of transportation is vitally important for the health and well-being of the cattle and safety people working with the cattle," Thomson said. "Cattle that are stressed are difficult to handle, and the quality of their beef can be affected. This symposium is aimed at teaching producers, packers and dairymen how to get the most value from the carcass and provide consumers with the highest quality beef possible through best animal handling and transport practices."

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The Hunt for New Life: Fall Calving at Pride Ranch Episode 1

Video: The Hunt for New Life: Fall Calving at Pride Ranch Episode 1

Fall calving season is officially underway here at Pride Ranch. Today I’m walking the pastures, checking udders, watching behavior, and hoping to find the first newborn of the season. Some cows look close… others are still holding out.

That’s ranch life. A lot of patience. A lot of walking. And sometimes, no calves when you expect them.

In this episode:

• Pasture checks and cow behavior

• Signs a calf is getting close

• Where cows like to hide newborns

• The first official hunt of the season