Welcome to the Ranch!

On June 8th and 9th, Texas A&M University is hosting a first annual Grass Fed Beef Conference in College Station, Texas. The event is sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and A&M’s Department of Animal Science.

The course description is:

Producing beef from grass - a use of natural resources for which Texas has long been famous.
Yet today’s grassfed beef differs appreciably from the Longhorn steers driven north in the 1800’s. And the production systems? They differ as well.
Consumer interest in grassfed, natural and other “non-conventionally produced” beef is rising rapidly. So whether you manage grass, own cattle or just want to learn more about grassfed beef production, this conference is for you.

Cross Creek Cattle Company believes in continuing education. Regardless of how many decades we have ranched and how many years we have been a part of the grass fed beef industry, we know that we can benefit from attending conferences such as this. Lane DeHaven, our ranch manager, will be attending this conference in June.

He regularly attends the Beef Cattle Short Course in August also hosted by Texas A&M.  However, this is the first conference they are hosting solely committed to grass fed beef.  It is exciting that the consumer demands for grass fed beef have gottten the attention of a large university.  They are adapting to meet the needs of the grass fed beef industry.

Our hope is to come away with information that will improve our ranching operation, our techniques, and our grass fed beef business. It is our way of continually striving to grow and make improvements.  Our future depends on staying at the top of our game.

If you are a seasoned rancher or just beginning your ranching adventure, Texas A&M University holds a three-day short course for you.  It is almost always the first week of August, which I realize is late for you this year, but mark your calendars for next August.  This event is held on campus in College Station, Texas.

It is a great event in the ranching community that draws people from all over the world.  Dr. Jason Cleere, who grew up in the same area as we live, heads the whole course.  TAMU is known world-wide for its premiere agriculture and animal science programs and research.  At this short course, the university combines its knowledge and discoveries in various seminars with a trade show and social events.

The Beef Cattle Short Course is not only informative, but it is fun.  It is a way to meet and mingle with fellow ranchers and make contacts.  The trade show provides an opportunity to see and hear what is new in the cattle industry.

Last year, the short course actually told ranchers to not get involved with grass fed beef.  They claimed that it was a fad and was hurting the cattle industry.  My husband just rolled his eyes.  Sometimes it takes people a long time to accept change.

This year they put on an entire seminar explaining the differences between organic, all-natural, and grass fed beef.  A woman rancher spoke about her grass fed operation in Texas.  I think the tide has turned.  Perhaps, TAMU is seeing that consumers want an opportunity to purchase beef that is raised naturally on the range.  They want a healthier alternative to traditionally raised beef.  Maybe they realize that grass fed beef is not a fad, but here to stay.

Regardless of TAMU’s stance on grass fed beef, the Beef Cattle Short Course is a valuable tool for the modern-day rancher.  You learn a vast amount of information.  You take home an immense volume that includes all the slides and information from each seminar.  This way you get all the information and do not worry about missing something or choosing the wrong seminar to attend.

My husband said there were about 1300 ranchers in attendance.  If you are interested in attending the 2011 Beef Cattle Short Course, check out course’s website for all the information and the dates.  I will try my best to remind you in an article here on “Welcome to the Ranch.”

For years someone from Cross Creek Cattle Company has attended the short course.  We feel it is a small investment in our future.  We have been ranching for so long in our family, but there is always something new to learn.  The cattle market and industry change, and we like to keep abreast of the climate to better serve our ranch and, of course, our grass fed customers.  We highly recommend the three-day course for anyone interested in ranching.