Though high cattle prices may tempt cattle producers to expand herds, rising prices for land, fuel and feed still have some reconsidering expansion, according to experts.

Opportunities for efficient expansion will be discussed in-depth at the 2014 Dr. Kenneth and Caroline McDonald Eng Foundation Symposium scheduled Sept. 18-19 at the Embassy Suites Riverwalk, 125 E. Houston St. in San Antonio. The symposium will feature current research that explores how cattle producers can best meet these challenges and forward-looking ideas and opportunities, said Ken Eng, cattleman and nutrition consultant.

The 2014 Dr. Kenneth and Caroline McDonald Eng Foundation Symposium is scheduled Sept. 18-19 at the Embassy Suites Riverwalk, 125 E. Houston St. in San Antonio. An in-depth discussion about opportunities for cowherd expansion will be discussed. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

“This year’s symposium will offer perspectives on opportunities for innovation in production systems through strategic intensification,” he said.“We’ll address questions such as: Can increasing management intensity increase profitability, reduce risk and enhance the sustainability of beef production enterprises?”

“Innovative Intensification in Cow-Calf Systems” is the second annual symposia to be sponsored by the Eng Foundation. Texas A&M University will host the event, which includes participation by researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Oklahoma State University.

Topics include:

• Managing energy requirements in confined cows.
• Drylot beef cow systems in the Northern Great Plains.
• Cow efficiency: Implications for beef sustainability.
• Nutritional and management considerations when merging cow-calf and feedlot operations.
• Fetal programming: Implications and opportunities in confinement.
• Intensified cow-calf production in the Southern Great Plains combining semi-confinement, wheat pasture and cover crops.
• Herd health observations in Nebraska drylot cow project.
• Does intensification improve sustainability?

The event is open to the public. Cattle producers interested in opportunities to expand production or increase land-use efficiency should plan to attend, as well as researchers and students, according organizers.