More than 200 participants gathered July 7 at Sandhills Beef Cattle Conference in Monahans, Texas, to hear from world-renowned educator and animal behavior expert Temple Grandin, along with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialists. 

2021 Sandhills Beef Cattle Conference speaker Temple Grandin with fans Cody, Jasper and Eli Schoenfeldt. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Staci Schoenfeldt)

Grandin discussed the point of balance and time required to calm cattle if they become fearful. She also took photos with her many fans and autographed books for attendees.

“Participants were excited to hear all of our experts, and being able to host someone as influential and well-known as Dr. Grandin for the event was fantastic,” said Dena Floyd, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent for Winkler and Loving counties.

Temple Grandin, right, autographs her books during the Sandhills Beef Cattle Conference. (Photo by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)

Other featured experts included Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist, Amarillo; Ky Pohler, Department of Animal Science reproductive physiologist, Bryan-College Station; Ron Gill, AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, Bryan-College Station; and Bruce Carpenter, AgriLife Extension livestock specialist, Fort Stockton. Legislative updates pertinent to ranching were shared by State Representative Brooks Landgraf.

State Representative Brooks Landgraf addresses conference attendees. (Photo by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension)

Lashmet discussed key estate-planning documents, what happens if you die without a will and the difference between a medical power of attorney, advanced directive and durable power of attorney.

“We had so much positive feedback from our attendees on Tiffany Dowell Lashmet and our other AgriLife experts too. Our goal with this conference was to bring the latest relevant agricultural updates and news to our local beef cattle producers, and our outstanding lineup of speakers did exactly that,” Floyd said.

Pohler and Carpenter covered options for cattle pregnancy diagnosis, while Gill presented options to produce cattle-targeting alternatives and direct markets, as well as production changes and document requirements for different markets.

Over 1 million acres

The event was well attended by producers, vendors and other guests and included a chuckwagon breakfast and lunch.

Conservative estimates from the participant evaluations reflected that attendees were responsible for managing about 9,616 head of beef cattle over 1,052,199 acres. Participants reported that 80% of them anticipated a potential economic benefit from what they learned at the conference, from either one or a combination of increased production, improved marketing/risk management and improved efficiency.

“The success of this event can be attributed to the tremendous support, dedication and teamwork of all the AgriLife personnel involved,” said Robert Pritz, AgriLife Extension regional program director, San Angelo. “From the teamwork of the planning committee — which was made up of AgriLife Extension ag and natural resources agents from several counties, and district specialists — to the interdisciplinary support from the family and community health agents in host counties, everyone worked hard to make this a highly visible and relevant program for beef cattle producers.” 

Additional information on this and future events is available at the Sandhills Beef Cattle Conference Facebook page, or contact Floyd for more information.