Antibiotics in animal agriculture, the impact of the election on the livestock industry, cattle market prospects over the coming year and discussions on policy and issues for the upcoming Kansas legislative session are on the agenda for the Kansas Livestock Association’s annual meeting in Wichita Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

Kansas State University veterinarian Mike Apley and former USDA Undersecretary of Agriculture for Food Safety Richard Raymond will discuss the antibiotic issue on Friday, Dec. 2, during the Industry Information session.

CATTLEMEN TO CONVENE: The state's largest livestock organization, the Kansas Livestock Association, will hold its annual meeting in Wichita Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

Apley, a professor of production medicine and clinical pharmacology at K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine, will share what he learned as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria.

Raymond spent 17 years as a rural family physician in O'Neill, Neb., and was the chief medical officer for Nebraska before President George W. Bush appointed him to oversee the Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Glenn Thrush, chief political correspondent for Politico, will be the opening speaker for the convention, following the Cattlemen's banquet on opening night, Wednesday, Nov. 30.

He will analyze the Nov. 8 election through his lens as a go-to journalist for commentary on the American political landscape.

The always-popular KLA Beef Industry University will kick off Thursday, Dec. 1, with recognition of the volunteer leaders who were instrumental in KLA's effort to provide relief to ranchers who suffered losses in the Anderson Creek Wildfire in March of this year, the largest wildfire in Kansas history.

The second segment of BIU will feature a market outlook from CattleFax CEO Randy Blach, who will talk about the factors he believes will influence the livestock market in the coming year and beyond.

Tracy Brunner, National Cattlemen's Beef Association president, will speak to KLA members during the membership breakfast on Dec. 2. Brunner is a former KLA president and is a rancher and cattle feeder from Ramona.

He will talk about the importance of passing the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, the findings of a special NCBA working group that has been looking at issues surrounding market structure and the status of an ongoing lawsuit challenging the controversial Waters of the U.S. rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

KLA members will discuss numerous policy issues during committee and council meetings, including changes to cattle futures contracts, Kansas deer hunting laws, additions to the state's noxious weed list and the potential for further regulation of prescribed burning.

In connection with the convention, the KLA Trade Show will showcase products and services for livestock producers. Social events will be held and meals will be served on the trade show floor.

The convention schedule and registration information are available at kla.org. All livestock producers are welcome to attend the convention.