For the fourth time in as many years, Texas and New Mexico Cooperative Extension agencies will hold their annual “Southwest Beef Symposium.” This year’s meeting is set for Jan.16-17 at the Roswell Convention Center.

Dr. Bruce Carpenter, Texas Cooperative Extension livestock specialist at Fort Stockton, said the symposium is tailored for southwestern beef producers. The event centers on three educational sessions and a trade show. It alternates between locations in West Texas and eastern New Mexico.

“This year, the first session will target controlling ranch costs,” Carpenter said. “Extension specialists from Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma will team up to address cost management strategies and some ways to help soften the effects of inflated feed and fuel prices on extensive, range-based, ranching operations.”

The second day will address current topics and how emerging issues may affect how future business is done back at the ranch, he said.

“The audience will hear from key industry leaders about the status of U.S. beef’s access to foreign markets, the ‘greening of America’ and how environmentally conscious consumers influence beef production,” Carpenter said.

This session will end with a summary of the status of non-fed beef (cull cow) production and marketing in the U.S.

The final session deals with managing calf health beyond the ranch. Beef producers, feeders and veterinarians will talk about what calf health means and how to manage it – even when things don’t go as planned, Carpenter said.

Individual registration is $50 and includes a prime rib dinner, lunch, refreshments and a printed proceedings. For planning purposes, pre-registration by Jan. 3 would be appreciated.

For more information call Carpenter at 432-336-8585 or Clay Mathis at New Mexico State University at 505-646-8022.

A schedule of events and speaker information, as well as registration materials and lodging information, can be found at http://cahe.nmsu.edu/ces/swbeef.