While the cattle industry is experiencing the best times market wise ever, there are several issues of major concern to cattle producers.
“Despite record prices being received by Flint Hills cattlemen for their production, they have questions about how politics might affect the future of their industry, and also wonder just how long the record high cattle prices will continue,” according to Kelly Lenz (left), farm director at 580 WIBW in Topeka.
“Therefore, an effort to help answer these issues worrying ranchers, 580 WIBW has slated a most knowledgeable panel of speakers for the Beef Producers Information Seminar at Anderson Building on the Lyon County Fairgrounds in Emporia, Friday morning, Aug. 22,” Lenz said.
Kickoff for the annual Flint Hills Beef Fest celebrating the grass cattle industry, the morning breakfast program will actually begin with a live broadcast of the 580 WIBW Ag Roundup program right at the seminar location from 6 to 7 o’clock.
Doors will open at that time as cattlemen from throughout the Midwest start gathering for the meeting beginning with a complimentary breakfast at 7:30. A number of sponsors will have exhibits open as well and be on hand to talk to those attending about products and services to assist in their industry efforts.
The informational program will start about 8:15. Tracy Brunner, Ramona rancher and vice president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, is to present “A Kansas Cattlemen’s Washington Perspective.”
Aaron Popelka, vice president of legal and governmental affairs for the Kansas Livestock Association, will review “The EPA’s Proposed WOTUS Rule.” That highly controversial Waters of the United States proposal is said to be to help clarify protection under the Clean Water Act for streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resources.
Glynn Tonsor, livestock economist at Kansas State University, will analyze the “The Beef Outlook, Where Do We Go From Here?”
While the meal and program are free, reservations are requested by calling the Lyon County Extension office at 620-342-3220, or sending an e-mail to kelly.lenz@morris.com