Program highlights for the August 13 KLA/Kansas State University Ranch Management Field Day near Smith Center will include discussions on leveraging genetics to achieve cowherd objectives, managing and planning for tough economic times, optimizing gain with post-weaning nutrition and combating farm stress. The event will be hosted at W & S Ranch, owned by the Weltmer family.
Jon Herrick with Select Sires will kick off the educational portion of the field day with a discussion centered on how genetics can be leveraged to increase profitability. Mark Wood, Kansas Farm Management Association extension agricultural economist, will provide suggestions on how ranchers can better prepare for and manage through economic uncertainty. K-State extension beef systems specialist Justin Waggoner will discuss nutrition management steps that should be considered during post weaning and will highlight some of the successes W & S Ranch has had in leveraging nutrition to achieve their cattle weight-gain goals. Kelsey Olson, deputy secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, will be on hand to give an update on the resources available to assist farmers and ranchers in managing stress and financial and legal challenges.
The field day will begin with registration at 3:00 p.m. and include a free beef dinner. The event will be set up to accommodate social distancing protocol. Masks will be available and hand sanitizer will be provided.
The final field day will be held August 18 at G-Three Cattle Company near Uniontown. Both events are sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of Kansas and Bayer Animal Health. For more information and directions, click here. Educational sessions from each field day will be recorded and posted on the KLA website.