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Conference studies how climate change affects agriculture
February 28, 2012
Editor@montanaliving.com
BOZEMAN – Climate change through 2013 and its effect on agriculture will be the focus of this year’s keynote address at the Montana Nutrition Conference and Livestock Forum in Bozeman.
The annual conference will begin the afternoon of April 17 and run through the morning of April 18 at the GranTree Inn.
Simon Atkins, an atmospheric scientist and climate economist who heads a think-tank in planetary risk management, will give the Grieco Beef Cattle Lecture the evening of Wednesday, April 17. Atkins is CEO of Advanced Forecasting Corporation which advises more than 20 industries, Fortune 500 businesses, investors, and other individuals affected by natural-based perils.
Other conference speakers will explain key drivers behind record-high cattle prices; beef cattle fertility, targeted sheep grazing of noxious weeds, matching the cow herd to resources, poisonous plants that affect horses and livestock, a systems approach to range management, and GIS mapping to evaluate grazing.
The conference is organized by Rachel Endecott and others in Montana State University’s Department of Animal and Range Science.
Cost to attend both days of the conference is $80. Attending one day only costs $55 for Tuesday and $35 for Wednesday. To register, call (406) 994-3414, send an e-mail to anitag@montana.edu or write Anita Gray, P.O. Box 172820, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717.
The schedule and speakers are:
Tuesday, April 17
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Registration.
12:30 p.m. – Welcome and opening remarks.
1 to 2 p.m. – “Key Drivers behind Record-High Cattle and Beef Prices.” Chad Spearman, CattleFax
2 to 3 p.m. – “Beef Cattle Fertility.” Tom Geary, USDA-ARS Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory
3 p.m. -- Break
3:15-4:15 p.m. -- “Where’s the Beef?” Gary Brester, MSU Department of Economics and Ag Economics
4:15-5:15 p.m. -- “Matching the Cow Herd to the Resources.” Connee Quinn, Quinn Cow Co.
5:30 p.m. – Social.
6:15 p.m. – Dinner and program. Montana Feed Association scholarships will be presented. Simon Atkins will speak on “Climate Change through 2013 and Impacts to Agriculture: Gaining a Sharper Edge.”
Wednesday, April 18.
7 to 8 a.m. – Breakfast. Graduate student poster judging.
8 to 9 a.m. -- “Targeted Sheep Grazing of Noxious Weeds.” Lisa Surber, Montana Sheep Institute.
9 to 10 a.m. -- “Poisonous Plants Affecting Horses and Livestock.” Tony Knight, Colorado State University.
10 a.m. – Break.
10:15 to 11:15 a.m. -- “A Systems Approach to Range Management.” Trey Patterson, Padlock Ranch.
11:15 to 11:45 a.m. -- “Is Your Stocking Rate Working? A GIS-Based Tool for Evaluation of Stocking Rates.” Clayton Marlow, MSU Department of Animal and Range Sciences.
11:45 a.m. to noon -- Pat Hatfield of MSU presents graduate student poster awards.
For more information, go to http://www.msuextension.org/beefcattle/upcomingevents.html
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This article is available on the Web at http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=10899
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