Coping with challenges of increased input costs related to the higher energy costs will be the focus of the 18th annual Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Southern Plains Beef Symposium in Ardmore on Aug. 9.
Presented with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service as co-sponsor, the program will take place from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Ardmore Convention Center. Entitled Coping with the Times, Higher Cost and Tighter Margins, this year’s symposium brings together speakers from Oklahoma and Missouri, who will discuss how they and other farmers and ranchers are dealing with energy costs.
“The Southern Plains Beef Symposium is an excellent one day event for beef producers to gain insight and information into current issue and production situations,” Noble Foundation’s Education and Special Projects Manager Shan Ingram said. “We are fortunate to have good sponsors and partners who help with the symposium, which allow us to bring a quality, national-level program to our agricultural producers.”
Symposuim speakers include:
* Bob Woods, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service Area Agronomy Specialist from Muskogee. In January 2008, he received the Distinguished Educator Award. He has 32 years experience providing quality information on technical research data and turning it into practical recommendations for producers.
* Job Springer, a Noble Foundation agricultural economist who works closely with producers to help them achieve their agricultural economic goals. His specialties include analysis of farm taxation, livestock marketing, financial budgets and strategic planning.
* Yates Adcock, Middle Creek Ranch ranch manager in Dustin. In 2007, Adcock won the Leonard Wyatt Outstanding Cooperator Award, a prestigious award given by the Noble Foundation. Yates received the Leonard Wyatt award because of his long-standing reputation for seeking innovative livestock business practices, and;
* Scott Brown who provides U.S. Congress with analysis of livestock and dairy policy changes and has testified before the House and Senate. Brown is program director for the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri. FAPRI was recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture for the analysis conducted for the 2002 farm bill.
Along with the speakers, there will be an afternoon panel discussion. Panelists include Jack Cunningham, Cunningham Ranch, Springer; Terry Stuart Forst, Stuart Ranch, Waurika; Jim Howard, Howard Cattle Co., Ringling, and Steve Jones, Sooner J. Ranch, Rush Springs. Ingram said panelists have vast backgrounds and extensive experience in the beef industry. They will highlight their operations and relay how they are coping with the high energy costs as well as other challenges. The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
The Noble Foundation’s Leonard Wyatt Distinguished Cooperator of the Year Award will be presented at the symposium. The award honors the best of the Agricultural Division’s 1,500 farmers and ranchers, who work in conjunction with the Noble Foundation’s agricultural consultants. The symposium also will feature a trade show, showcasing more than 40 booths.
Registration is $25 per person ($30 at the door), covering the entire program and a prime rib lunch. For additional information, or to register, contact Tracy Cumbie, (580) 224-6411, or e-mail, tlcumbie@noble.org.
