Cameron University’s 26th Annual Beef Cattle Improvement Conference, presented by the Department of Agriculture, will examine “Marketing Strategies for Beef Production” on Thursday, November 21. The event starts at 6 p.m. in the McCasland Ballroom of the McMahon Centennial Complex on the CU campus. There is no charge to attend. For more information, call the Cameron University Department of Agriculture at 581-2275.

“Cattle producers are always looking for ways to add value and quality to their herds,” says Dr. Leon Fischer, Mary Dixie Mullin Endowed Chair in the Sciences and Chair, Department of Agriculture. “A fluctuating economy combined with the climbing costs of feed and other farm-related necessities provide challenges to even the most experience livestock producer. Our expert speakers will offer insights to alleviate some of these issues.”

Guest speakers include Danny Jones, President, Superior Livestock Auction; Gant Mourer, Beef Value Enhancement Specialist, Oklahoma State University; and Kurtis Ward, Vice President & General Counsel, National Livestock Credit Corporation.

Jones will address “Video Marketing’s Place in the Cattle Industry.” Mourer will speak about “Adding Value to your Cow Herd through the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network.” Ward’s topic is “Cattle Futures and Options.”

Jones joined Superior Livestock Auction and Superior Productions earlier this year when National Livestock Credit Corporation purchased the company. He has been with National Livestock since 1999. After earning degrees in agricultural economics and accounting from Oklahoma State University, Jones worked for Farm Credit Service for nine years and then served as a vice president for agricultural lending in a commercial bank for three years. A native of southwest Oklahoma, he became involved in his father’s cattle business as a youngster and began a small operation of his own while in high school. He has been actively involved in the beef industry for more than 25 years.

Mourer joined the beef extension group at Oklahoma State University last year. A native of Carrier, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2005 and completed his master of science degree in 2012. While completing his graduate work, he was a herdsman for the Range Cow Research Center, North Range Unit at OSU. A Beef Value Enhancement Specialist, Mourer specializes in adding value to Oklahoma’s cow herd. He is also the coordinator of the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network and OQBN Vac-45 Sales.

Ward has served as Vice President and General Counsel of National Livestock Credit Corporation since 2012. From 2005 until joining National, his private law practice was devoted to Securities and Commodities litigation and arbitration. Previously, Ward was active in cattle futures and options risk management with KIS Futures, Inc. and also worked within the Farm Credit System as a loan officer. Ward grew up working on several cattle and wheat operations around Kingfisher. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics. He received his law degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law.

The conference will include exhibits by event sponsors Phil Perryman, ABS Global, Apache; Ag Preference ACA, Altus; Chisholm Trail Farm Credit, Chickasha; Comanche County Farm Bureau, Lawton; Co-op Services Inc./Nutrena, Lawton, Chattanooga, Grandfield; Farm Credit of Central Oklahoma, Anadarko; Darren Baker, IVESCO LLC, Mt. Park; L & L Farm & Tire Supply, Chattanooga; Livestock Nutrition Center, Chickasha; National Livestock Credit Corporation, Oklahoma City; Red River Veterinary Service, Frederick; Spencer Brothers Feed & Supply/Stillwater Milling, Lawton; Stockman-Oklahoma Livestock Marketing Inc., Apache; Stockman’s Bank, Altus; Superior Livestock Auctions, Fletcher; and Walters Co-Op Elevator Association, Walters.

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