KLA/K-State Field Day

For more information contact:

Scarlett Hagins or Todd Domer (785) 273-5115

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 19, 2009

GRECIAN FAMILY TO HOST KLA/K-STATE RANCH FIELD DAY

( TOPEKA ) – A cattle industry market outlook will highlight the program August 27 during a field day hosted by Ken and Barb Grecian near Palco. The host operation revolves around a diverse enterprise consisting of a commercial cow-calf herd and a dryland farming and seed wheat business. This will be the final ranch management field day in the 2009 series presented by the Kansas Livestock Association (KLA) and Kansas State University .

Market Analyst Chad Spearman serves as a cow-calf, stocker and grain analyst for CattleFax, a member-owned information and analysis service started in 1968. He will present the latest data relating to the beef cattle inventory, beef supply outlook and beef demand. Spearman also will explain how grain and feed costs and other fundamentals drive the market for beef producers.

K-State Extension Livestock Specialist Sandy Johnson and Graham County Extension Agent Chris Petty will discuss what producers should consider when deciding winter feed supplementation for their cowherds. Johnson specifically will talk about the option of including wet distiller’s grain in winter rations. In addition, the two will update attendees on a new computerized ration analysis available for local producers to access as a method of identifying low-cost supplementation options for cowherds.

Another educational session will focus on grazing management options for native grasslands. The Grecians use a rotational grazing system to optimize use of native grasses. In addition, solar-powered pumps are employed to provide a water source for their cow-calf herd. Natural Resources Conservation Service Rangeland Management Specialist Toni Flax and Resource Conservationist Roger Tacha will discuss strategies for managing grassland resources and give options for stockwater sources in northwest Kansas .

Attendees also will hear from K-State veterinarian Larry Hollis about the reproductive and fertility problems trichomoniasis can cause for cowherds. He will give an overview of the health threat, including how it infects cowherds and provide management tips for preventing this disease.

The Palco field day will begin with registration at 3:30 p.m. and conclude with a free beef dinner at 7:00 p.m. All livestock producers and others involved in the business are invited to attend.

The Grecian operation is located on the west side of 350th Avenue . From I-70 going west, take Riga Road (exit #140) north 11.5 miles to A Road (dead end). Then, go west 2.5 miles to 350th Avenue and north 1.2 miles. From I-70 going east, take Ogallah Road (exit #135) 10 miles north to dead end, then go east 1.5 miles on A Road and 1.2 miles north on 350th Avenue. From Bogue, go south 15.5 miles on 350th Avenue . From the stop light in Hill City, go south on Highway 283 8 miles, then go southeast 1 mile on 1 Road, 7.9 miles east on the Redline or H Road and south 5.5 miles on 350th Avenue. From Palco, go 7 miles south on 3 Road to CC Road, then 7 miles to 350th Avenue and ½ mile south. Directional signs will be posted.

Bayer Animal Health and the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas are sponsoring all three events. For more information, go to www.kla.org or call the KLA office at (785) 273-5115.

KLA is a trade organization representing the business interests of independent beef producers at the state and national levels. Members of the association are involved in all segments of the livestock industry, including cow-calf production, backgrounding, cattle feeding, swine, dairy and sheep.

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