For producers like Linda Galayda of Elkhart, attending the annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course has been foundational to their ranching education process.

Registration at a glance

  • $300 for in-person attendance
  • $99 for virtual registration
  • $40 late fee for in-person registration after July 28
  • Register online at https://beefcattleshortcourse.com/event-registration/

The 72nd annual Beef Cattle Short Course is considered the premier beef cattle educational event in the world, providing science-based information producers can apply on the ranch. This year’s event is set for Aug. 3-5 on the Texas A&M University campus in Bryan-College Station.

Hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science, more than 1,900 participants are expected, said Jason Cleere, Ph.D., conference coordinator and AgriLife Extension statewide beef cattle specialist in the Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station.

Galayda said for the past 20 years, since taking over her family’s ranch operation, she has been among the attendees. Over the years, she said the knowledge she has gained through the short course, and with AgriLife Extension as her lifeline, has allowed her to significantly increase the number of pounds of beef produced on her ranch.

Hot topics this year

Cleere said each year experts not only address the basics of cattle ranching, but the speakers and topics address the most pressing issues within the industry at the time, such as the New World screwworm and herd rebuilding this year.

“As producers begin to rebuild their cow herds, there will be discussions on the right cow for your production conditions, technologies to increase replacement selection efficiency and management practices to improve replacement female retention,” he said.

“We will also have a New World Screwworm Symposium on Aug. 4 afternoon that focuses of prevention, treatment and management if you get an infection and the marketing and animal movement procedures,” Cleere said. “We are offering practical real-world solutions to the problem we are facing. Ranchers can learn a lot during the two and a half days, but more importantly, they meet the experts. Later, they have a contact they can go to.”

crowd shot at the Beef Cattle Short Course
A man rides a horse through a bunch of cattle in an indoor pen
a Beef Cattle Short Course book lays on a rail at the top of the auditorium looking down on attendees
The 72nd annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course will be held Aug. 3-5 on the Texas A&M University campus in Bryan-College Station. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Registration details

Both in-person and virtual attendance are offered. The cost is $300 for in-person attendance and $99 for virtual registration. A $40 fee will be charged for in-person attendance registration after July 28. Register online, contact 979-314-8507 or email beefcattleshortcourse@gmail.com for more information. Additional schedule information can be found at beefcattleshortcourse.com.

The conference’s Youth Track is also available for high school students to learn more about hands-on beef cattle production. Registration for youth is $150.

Pesticide license training course new this year

Each year, 10 plus Texas Department of Agriculture pesticide continuing education units are offered.

However, a great addition this year is a Private Pesticide Applicator’s License Training Course on Aug. 5. Attendees will have an opportunity to obtain a private pesticide applicator’s license.

The training will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon, with an opportunity to take the certification test at 1 p.m. There will be an additional $50 charge for this course for the training materials. To register, call 979-845-3849, or email tina.vanhorn@ag.tamu.edu.

Educational options at a glance

Aug. 1-2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Pre-Conference Veterinary Continuing Education Program. There will be 36 veterinary continuing education, CE, credits offered throughout the entire short course. For questions about the veterinary CE programs, contact Tom Hairgrove, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension veterinary specialist and professor, Department of Animal Science, Bryan-College Station, at 979-571-9833 or thomas.hairgrove@ag.tamu.edu.

Aug. 2, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Pre-Conference Ranch Horse Program — Hildebrand Equine Complex, 3240 F and B Road, College Station. Registration for this program is included with the full Beef Cattle Short Course registration or individuals can register for the Ranch Horse Program only for $125.

Aug. 3-5, begins at 8 a.m. — Cattleman’s College Sessions – Rudder/MSC Complex. These are training seminars, mini-symposiums and workshops developed by Texas A&M personnel.