UT Beef Expo changes venue

GREENEVILLE – The Annual Northeast Tennessee Beef Expo is changing the location for this year’s event.Usually held at the University of Tennessee Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville, this year’s Expo is now scheduled to occur October 6 at the UT Research and Education Center located adjacent to the 4-H Center.  The change in location will allow the 4-H Center flexibility to accommodate Hurricane Katrina evacuees that have been staying at the 4-H Center.The focus of the day-long Beef Expo is to help producers enhance the profitability of their cattle operations through quality management and quality cattle.  Ken Givens, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture, will open the Expo, and a number of beef cattle experts from UT, the USDA and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture will present sessions throughout the day.Sessions topics include minerals for the beef herd, health for feeder calves, feeding strategies for weaned calves, new marketing alternatives for feeder cattle, feeder calf grading and how it affects value, animal identification and beef quality assurance training.Registration, a trade show and a biscuit breakfast will begin at 7:00 a.m. The program will begin at 8:30. A $5 fee will be charged to help cover the costs for the steak luncheon and educational materials.Pre-registration is required by September 30.  Participants should contact the UT Extension office in their county of residence or contact the UT Extension office in Greene County at (423) 798-1710.The UT Research and Education Center at Greeneville is one of 11 facilities operated as part of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station system. It is located on East Allen’s Bridge Road, off U.S. Highway 70 approximately 5 miles south of the city.  The complete program, directions and a map are available online at http://greeneville.tennessee.edu/.For more information, contact your local county UT Extension office.