The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture is once again teaming up with the University of Tennessee to offer the sixth-annual Mid-South Stocker Conference set for Feb. 21 and 22 in Bowling Green. This year’s conference will provide cattle producers with innovative ideas.

Sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Services of the Universities of Kentucky and Tennessee and each state's Cattlemen’s Association, in partnership with Bayer Animal Health and BEEF magazine, this year’s conference will offer information relative to a changing industry.

“As we watch new challenges face the industry, we look to convey viable solutions for these,” said Jeff Lehmkuler, extension beef specialist for the UK College of Agriculture. “This year’s conference will provide attendees with new information to aid farmers in adapting to some of the changes facing the industry.”

The conference will begin at 1 p.m. CST at the Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center. A new feature on Mon. Feb. 21 offers a virtual tour of area cattle operations. Lehmkuler said the virtual tour will allow attendees to learn about local producers’ innovations while relaxing in a warm, comfortable environment in February.

 In an afternoon meat-cutting demonstration, UK College of Agriculture Meat Scientist Gregg Rentfrow will showcase new beef cuts, which could add value to cattle. The day will conclude with a reception and trade show at the convention center allowing attendees to learn about new products and services available. The program continues Tues., Feb. 22, beginning at 7 a.m. CST. The formal program will get under way at 9 a.m. covering stocker cattle health, managing forages for stocker cattle, and strategies to meet environmental regulations, including a discussion on properly composting livestock mortalities. The afternoon program will include an update and outlook of the beef cattle industry by Cattle-Fax and a research update from UT and UK professionals. Additional details and the conference program are available online at http://www.midsouthstocker.org.

Rooms at the Holiday Inn University Plaza are available at the special rate of $89.99 per night. The preregistration fee for the conference which includes the virtual tour, meat cutting demo, reception, meals, proceedings and access to the trade show, is $95 per person or $150 per couple. Registration is available online at http://www.midsouthstocker.org or contact John Bartee, with UT Extension's Montgomery County office at 931-648-5725, jbartee1@utk.edu. Registration after Feb. 14 and on-site at the conference is $125.

If you have any questions about the conference, please call Jim Neel, 865-974-7294; Roy Burris, 270-365-7541, ext. 208 or Jeff Lehmkuhler, 859-257-2853.