Beef Improvement Federation Annual Meeting June 18-21 in Lincoln

Jan. 13, 2014

LINCOLN, Neb. — Registration is now open for the 2014 Beef Improvement Federation's annual meeting and research symposium June 18-21 at the Cornhusker Marriot in Lincoln.

Co-hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Cattlemen and the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, the event will start at noon June 18 with registration. A welcome reception will kickoff the event at 5 p.m. followed by a USMARC Symposium: 50 Years of Service to the Beef Industry.

It's no coincidence that the meeting is being held in Nebraska in 2014, said Matt Spangler, associate professor in UNL's animal science department. The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014. USMARC scientists have contributed to the annual BIF meeting since its beginning, he said.

The meeting will allow the research community and industry to meet and discuss issues surrounding the genetic improvement of beef cattle and for attendees to learn about technologies and management practices that can aid in the profitability of their operations.

On June 19, the meeting will start at 8 a.m. with a general session and welcome.

Presentations and technical breakout sessions will follow through June 20. A post-conference tour will take place on June 21.

Some of the topics and speakers on June 19 include:

– Economic considerations for profitable cowherds, Clay Mathis, King Ranch Institute

– Heifer intake and feed efficiency as indicators of cow intake and efficiency, Dan Shike, University of Illinois

– Decreasing costs through improved heifer development strategies, Rick Funston, UNL

Topics and speakers on June 20 include:

– Selection for Novel Traits: An international genomics perspective, Donagh Berry, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagas, Ireland

– Genetics of Disease Susceptibility, Holly Neibergs, Washington State University

– It is possible to genetically change the nutrient profile of beef, Raluca Mateescu, Oklahoma State University

– Changes in dietary regime impact fatty acid profile of beef, Susan Duckett, Clemson University

– Improving feed efficiency in the feedlot: Opportunities and challenges, Galen Erickson, UNL

– Relationship between selection for feed efficiency and methane production,  Harvey Freetly, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

Cost to attend the full conference is $250. Day-only, student and media discount rates also are available. For a full and up-to-date conference schedule, lodging information or to register, visit http://go.unl.edu/bif2014.

The Beef Improvement Federation was formed more than 45 years ago to standardize beef cattle performance programs and evaluation methodology and to create great awareness, acceptance and usage of these concepts for the genetic improvement of beef cattle. It represents more than 40 state and national beef cattle associations.