2023 Feeding Quality Forum
The 18th annual Feeding Quality Forum in Lincoln, Nebraska, brought leading beef experts to the stage to look at the current demands in the beef marketplace.
Below you’ll find links to speaker slides and news coverage following the event.
Industry Achievement Award
Steve Hunt, past CEO U.S. Premium Beef
When the cattle industry needed a leader, Steve Hunt stepped up. Sure, it was a group effort to launch U.S. Premium Beef – ranchers, cattle feeders and allied industry – but they all say one man made the difference between success and failure. Hunt is called a leader, an innovator, an entrepreneur, an idea guy and an executor among USPB board members. All of that and more made Hunt shine.
Hunt was honored with the Certified Angus Beef 2023 Industry Achievement Award.
2023 Session Coverage
Global Market Overview
Dan Basse, AgResource Company
The global marketplace is as dynamic and volatile as ever. Get a bigger vantage point on the commodity and financial markets around the world to help prepare for changes and guide your risk management strategy.
The Other “S” Word
Jesse Fulton, University of Nebraska Panhandle Research & Extension Center; John Schroeder, Darr Feedlot; Robert Wells, Noble Research Institute; Moderator: Kirsten Nickles, Certified Angus Beef
We’re talking about “stewardship.” Your production practices tell a story about how you value resources and cattle. Every detail matters from how you manage your land to how you interact with your herd. Hear this panel of experts share their experiences to make every piece of an operation more sustainable.
Evolution of Beef Grading
Bucky Gwartney, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
For many cattle feeders, marketing fed steers and heifers is all about potential and how to bring out the best in each calf. The potential for an animal to grade well drives how many additional dollars flow back to cattlemen’s pockets. Hear the latest trends in carcass grading and the technology being developed to withstand new challenges.
The Relationship Factor
TJ & Tifini Olson, Round the Bend Steakhouse; Lane Rosenberry, Sysco Lincoln; Moderator: Kara Lee
The day-to-day grind at a restaurant is much like that at the feedyard: long hours, physically exhausting and, sometimes, unideal conditions. While you enjoy dinner, listen to the challenges Round the Bend Steakhouse faces and how they lean into their relationship with Sysco to create loyal customers.
Insights from the Packer
Glen Dolezal, Cargill Protein
The packer serves as a critical link in the supply chain for both cattle producers and beef end users. As the industry heads into a period of short supply, Cargill Protein will share expected challenges in both procurement and operations and what cattlemen can expect in the coming years as they work to manage both.
Comfort and Performance: Maximizing Both
A.J. Tarpoff, Kansas State University; Lily Edwards-Callaway, Colorado State University
The quality of a calf relies on every day being a good day. Mother Nature makes that tough, but technology and weather forecasting instruments help. Learn mitigation factors and management techniques to keep calves comfortable during a heat-stress event so you can be proactive in keeping cattle comfortable and performing.
The Premium Angle
Sara Scott, Certified Angus Beef
How does the Certified Angus Beef ® brand influence carry throughout the beef supply chain? For end users to continue driving sales, there must be greater volume available. Listen to Certified Angus Beef’s perspective from Sara Scott. She’ll share how the team helps partners navigate supply challenges, how Prime is a bigger player in the marketplace and how cattlemen can be more consumer responsive.
Value Drivers in the Cattle Business
Nevil Speer, Turkey Track Consulting
The best time to improve the value of calves is at the ranch. It’s part genetics, part management and a little bit of good luck. But what improvements bring the most return? Hear how Nevil Speer defines calf quality and how that translates to more value at the feedyard and beyond.
Technology Tools to Enhance Efficiency and Quality
Moderator: Justin Sexten
Joan Ruskamp, J&S Feedlot; Zack Lindsley, R&L Feeders; Karl Fox, Feedyard in Iowa
Technology adopters across the cattle industry will discuss solutions they use to improve performance, nutrition and health. From precision health tracking to outcome sorting at the feedyard, this session will highlight technology opportunities to improve quality from birth to harvest.