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Training To Lessen The Risky Business Of Beef Production

By Robert Burns

The program, “Reducing Risk in Beef Production,” will be held Sept. 11 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office in Carthage, 110 S. Sycamore St.

The multi-county program is hosted by AgriLife Extension in Harrison, Shelby and Panola counties, said Randy Reeves, AgriLife Extension agent in Harrison County.

“Beef production has always been a risky business,” Reeves said. “Today, with drought, high replacement costs and expensive fertilizer, it’s more risky than ever.”

But increased risk is often accompanied with increased opportunity, he said, and with informed management, beef production can still be a profitable venture.

The program will start at 9 a.m. and end at about 2 p.m. Registration is $20, payable at the door, and will include lunch and refreshments.

Presentation topics and speakers will include:

“Managing Financial Risk,” by Legacy Ag Credit representatives Kristy Marjason and Yancy Murray, from Longview and Gilmer, respectively.

“Rainfall Index and Cattle Price Floor Insurance Program for Cattle and Forage,” Jen Livsey, with Texas Farm Credit, Robstown.

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Trending Video

Secure Pork Supply Plan | Preparing for the Future | U.S. Pork Producers

Video: Secure Pork Supply Plan | Preparing for the Future | U.S. Pork Producers

Join Jill Brokaw, a third-generation pig farmer and staff member of the National Pork Board, as she dives into the vital role of the Secure Pork Supply (SPS) Plan in preparing the U.S. pork industry for potential foreign animal disease outbreaks. This video is an essential watch for pork producers who are looking to safeguard their operations against the threats of diseases like foot and mouth disease, classical swine fever, and African swine fever.

Why Should Pork Producers Care? An outbreak of foreign animal diseases in the U.S. could lead to severe restrictions and potentially result in industry-wide financial losses estimated between $15 to $100 billion. The SPS Plan is a collective effort to prevent such catastrophic outcomes by enhancing biosecurity, ensuring animal traceability, and promoting effective disease monitoring.

What You'll Learn:

The Importance of Preparedness: Understand why being proactive is crucial for maintaining business continuity during an outbreak. Enhanced Biosecurity Measures: Write a site-specific biosecurity plan that can serve as the first line of defense against potential outbreaks. Animal Disease Traceability: Learn about the significance of tracking animal movement and how acquiring a premises identification number (PIN) and using AgView can facilitate this process. Disease Monitoring: Find out how continuous observation and reporting can keep your herd healthy and disease-free.

Getting Started with SPS: The video breaks down the seemingly daunting task of preparing for a foreign animal disease outbreak into manageable steps. With free resources available at www.securepork.org, including templates and instructions, Jill guides producers on developing a customized plan to enhance their farm's defenses.

Expert Insights: Hear from Dr. Pam Zaabel on collaborating with your herd veterinarian to develop and implement your SPS plan effectively.

Takeaway: The Secure Pork Supply initiative is more than a plan; it's a commitment to the resilience of our food supply and the livelihoods within the pork industry. By embracing these proactive measures, we can collectively enhance our preparedness for foreign animal disease outbreaks.