Cattle-Fax Executive Vice President Randy Blach will deliver the market outlook during Beef Industry University at the annual Kansas Livestock Association convention, held at Century II in Wichita Nov. 30-Dec. 1.

Blach will assess how drought has affected the trend toward herd expansion and what that will mean for beef supplies in 2007. He also will analyze how quickly the U.S. can regain export market share to help build beef demand. His presentation will include comments on the impact ethanol production is having on corn prices and how that could change the dynamics of the feeding industry.

Kansas native Bill Holbrook will examine how the explosive growth in ethanol production is fueling corn demand. The ethanol industry currently represents about 18% of total corn use, a figure expected to grow exponentially in the near future. Holbrook will give beef producers insight into the situation.

Potential improvements in the beef checkoff will be discussed by a Kansas cattleman who served on a special task force studying the issue. Tracy Brunner from Ramona will report on recommendations of the 18-member, industry-wide group that met several times this past summer. Allowing producers to petition for a referendum every five years and increasing the checkoff rate to $2.00 per head were among suggestions forwarded by the task force. Brunner will share all of the group's conclusions and answer questions about how the recommended enhancements in the checkoff could be implemented by the industry.

National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) president Mike John of Huntsville, MO, will give a status report on NCBA's efforts to eliminate the federal death tax, and the organization's attempt to clarify new Environmental Protection Agency rules regulating agricultural dust.

Other key topics:
Producers discussion electronic identification updates; a meat scientist discussing the latest National Beef Quality Audit and KLA staff offering examples of valuable troubleshooting services.

About 100 businesses will display equipment, technology and services during the trade show at the KLA Convention. The trade show gives producers an opportunity to talk with exhibitors and test new products.

A complete schedule and registration form can be found on the Web site at www.kla.org. More information on the KLA Convention is available by calling (785) 273-5115. All livestock producers are welcome.