Cattlemen around the state are marking their calendars and gearing up to attend the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association’s Annual Cattlemen’s Convention and Trade Show in Dodge City, Kansas. The event will take place on November 9th at the United Wireless Arena and Magouirk Conference Center.
The day’s events will open with the trade show at 7 a.m. The speaker sessions will commence at 8 a.m. with Dr. Sandy Johnson discussing heifer development and reproductive strategies and technologies. Cattle handling expert, Dr. Tom Noffsinger will showcase how to maintain calm animals and get the most out of your cattle, and Climatologist Mary Knapp will round out the morning session discussing climate trends and how to adjust your operational practices. The afternoon session will kick off after lunch and retired extension agent Gary Kilgore will provide tips on pasture management and weed and brush control. Luke Schwieterman, Dominic Varricchio, and Rick Overton from Schwieterman, Inc. will provide market information, and area specialists Dr. Nels Lindberg and Dr. Randall Spare will talk to the attendees regarding animal health.
After the speaker sessions, many additional activities will take place. At 5 p.m., a social hour will allow cattlemen to network with businesses, trade show exhibitors, and other producers, and at 6 p.m. a live auction will take place.
“I hope all of Kansas comes out for this event. It is a great opportunity to get beneficial information and visit with companies that support independent producers. Our live auction will have a number of items available to bid on and are donated by Kansas cattlemen and our exhibitors. Attendees can bid on everything from feed, a one-of-a-kind framed photograph, a saddle, or even a heifer. Each year, the Kansas Cattlemen’s Auction does conclude with a roll over heifer auction where one bidder will walk away with a breeding heifer. This year’s heifer has been graciously donated by Cloverdale Angus out of Fort Scott, KS. Proceeds of the auction are used to fund projects and events for the benefit of cattlemen throughout the state of Kansas. This year, we will even have a special sale, where two items will be auctioned and proceeds will be donated to national groups in support of country of origin labeling. KCA proudly promotes USA beef and Kansas cattlemen, and we are excited about having this event in the heart of cattle country,” stated KCA Executive Director Brandy Carter.
More than 40 local, regional, and national companies will exhibit their products at the event. The trade show hours are from 7:00 am-7:00 pm, and it is free and open to the public. The speaker sessions will be broadcast through the arena media systems so to encompass visitors and vendors in the convention activities. Convention registration is also available for those wishing to participate in the full convention which includes prime seating for the speaker sessions, snacks and beverages throughout the day, tradeshow access, an excellent hot buffet lunch of chicken fried steak and sliced roast beef, and an exquisite plated steak supper at the evening banquet. Full convention cost is $75. A full agenda, list of speakers and exhibitors can be found at www.kansascattlemen.com. Convention registration can be done on the same website or by calling the KCA office at 785-238-1483. Checks, money orders and credit cards will also be accepted the day of the event.