UT Beef and Forage Field Day set for June 15

Improving bottom line for producers one goal A beef cattle and forage production field day will be Thursday, June 15 at the UT East Tennessee Research and Education Center - Blount Unit. The Center is just off Alcoa Highway (Hwy. 129), south of Knoxville on Singleton Station Road near the Knoxville Airport.Things change fast in this industry. The 2006 UT Beef & Forage Field Day provides one way to receive updates on the latest research and recommendations related to the management of a beef herd. The program begins with a panel discussion titled “Beef - The Right Product.” Participants for the panel discussion include Valerie Bass, Executive Director, Tennessee Beef Industry Council; Steve Holloway, Director of Meat and Seafood Operation, Food City and Dr. Emmit Rawls, Livestock Marketing Specialist, UT Extension.  Some topics to be covered this year include: Pasture Management Tips and Pasture Weed Control Update, Hay Quality / Winter Feeding Needs, Factors to Consider in Bull Selection and Keep/Cull Decisions in the Cow Herd and other topics to keep the cattle farmer current in latest research.Participants will have a chance to learn from other successful producers how through working together, beef producers can improve their bottom line of higher prices for their product. Another big part of the field day will be the trade show, where industry representatives will be present to exhibit and discuss their products. Immediately following the field day, participants will have the opportunity to participate in Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) training.Registration begins 7:30 a.m. and the program will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. This is a combined effort of the UT Extension, the UT East Tennessee Research and Education Center - Blount Unit and beef production suppliers, and will be held rain or shine.Lunch will be available, so reservations are required. Contact the UT Sevier County Extension at (865) 453-3695 or call the East Tennessee Research and Education Center  (865) 974-7201. The field day and lunch are free.