You listen to the markets on the radio, pick up a paper to read about the latest consumer scare or watch an employee hand in his two-weeks notice. What does it all mean for your operation? Find answers at the 9th annual Feeding Quality Forum in Kearney, Neb., on August 19 or in Amarillo, Texas, on August 21.

Each year producers gather in August to hear from experts on the issues they face in their operations every day. The forum updates them on the news and research that go into feeding success.

“The cattle industry continues to operate in unchartered waters with regard to price, supplies and demand,” says Mark McCully, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) vice president for production. “Staying on top of this ever-changing marketplace is crucial for feedlot operators.”

Space is limited but registration by August 4 takes just $50 to reserve a spot; that price increases to $75 after the deadline.

“The Feeding Quality Forum has really evolved into one of the premier networking and educational events for the cattle feeder,” McCully says.

Strategically located and planned with a program packed full of expertise, McCully says he is sure this year’s event will give attendees “the upper hand” when it comes to market and management insight.

Sign-in begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a quick welcome at 10 before informational sessions kick off with Dan Basse, AgResource Company president. As requested by returning participants year after year, Basse will be discussing the market outlook for protein “foodstuffs” and feedstuffs, both locally and globally.

Then Scott Brown, University of Missouri research economist, will speak on the impact of high quality and high grading cattle. After a lunch featuring the Certified Angus Beef ^â (CAB^â) brand and the 2014 Industry Achievement Award presentation, afternoon sessions begin.

Those include a presentation covering consumer demand, consumer questions and the “Ground Beef Nation” by Brad Morgan, meat science and food safety specialist for Zoetis.

“The marketplace is coming more and more in line with consumer demands and their desire for high-quality beef,” says McCully. “Cattlemen that keenly understand these consumer trends are able to modify their management and marketing to be more profitable in the end.”

To conclude the seminar, participants will hear about how to get the most from testing their feed, and then engage in the feedlot-manager panel discussion on conquering the labor, hiring and retention battle.

The seminar, sponsored by Zoetis, Roto-Mix, Land O’ Lakes Purina Mills, Feedlot magazine and CAB, should adjourn at 4:15 p.m.

To register, visit www.feedingqualityforum.com, or contact Marilyn Conley by phone at 800-225-2333, or by email at mconley@certifiedangusbeef.com.

Source: CAB