Commercial Agriculture Program
Fall 2009
Missouri Livestock Symposium to be held December 4-5 in Kirksville
By Bruce Lane, University of Missouri Extension Livestock Specialist
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| Rex Ricketts, director of MU Extension Commercial Agriculture Program and Bruce Lane NE Region Livestock Specialist |
Known for its nationally and internationally recognized speakers, great trade show, and big-time entertainment, the Missouri Livestock Symposium continues to attract serious livestock producers from throughout Missouri and beyond. Last year, according to Missouri Livestock Symposium planning committee chair Garry Mathes, the Livestock Symposium drew 2,125 people from 78 of Missouri’s 114 counties, and 17 states.
One reason for the success of the Missouri Livestock Symposium is that the program features big names in the industry. Speakers are selected for their ability to connect in a practical way with their audience. "We work very hard at selecting people that have important messages to convey and that can do so in a way that producers can clearly understand", said Mathes.
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| Friday evening ceremonies at 2008 Livestock Symposium |
The 2009 Missouri Livestock Symposium will be held December 4-5 at the Kirksville Middle School. There is no charge to attend the Symposium and no registration is required. The Symposium also serves a free beef meal on Friday night and a free Governor’s Style Luncheon on Saturday noon. Tickets are required for country music artist Steve Holy’s performance, which will close out the annual event this year.
Friday’s evening program will feature Mike Adams of AgriTalk, results of the Classic Tractor Contest, presentation of the Livestock Person of the Year, and the Agriculture Educators Lifetime Achievement Awards. University of Missouri Extension Commercial Agriculture Program veterinarian, Dr. Craig Payne will speak on "Agriculture Under Attack".
On Saturday, in addition to the all day trade show, there will be educational programs for horse enthusiasts, beef cattle producers, sheep and meat goat producers, forage producers, and owners of stock dogs. There will also be programs on renewable energies and consumer topics that have broad appeal.
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| Exhibitor’s booths at 2008 Livestock Symposium |
Dr. Norm Scott of Cornell University (NY) will share information about how small cities and rural communities can become energy independent. Dr. Patrick Westhoff, Co-Director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute, will update producers on the Farm Bill and its implications for producers.
In the "Around the Farm and Home Section," the Executive Director of the Beef Culinary Center in Denver, Colorado, Chef Dave Zino, will give beef cooking demonstrations. Horticultural topics include companion planting and raised bed gardening, managing vineyard nutrition, grapevine diseases and their control. Seminars on the art and history of quilting will again be featured.
Dr. Michael Goldschmidt of the University of Missouri will talk about energy savings for the home and farm. Dr. Robert Pierce, also of the University of Missouri, will tackle the topic of controlling nuisance animals around the farm and home.
In all, over 30 speakers from coast to coast will be on hand to share their knowledge with producers on relevant and timely topics. Complete details and information about the Missouri Livestock Symposium may be viewed at http://missourilivestock.com or by calling Garry Mathes at (660) 341-6625, Bruce Lane at (660)665-9866, or emailing Bruce at lanen@missouri.edu and putting MLS in the subject line.