2024 Feeding Quality Forum
The 19th annual Feeding Quality Forum in Dodge City, Kansas, brought leading beef experts to the stage to look at the current demands in the beef marketplace.
Find more about this year’s Industry Achievement Award honoree and speaker slides below.
Industry Achievement Award
Glen Dolezal, Cargill Protein
On the surface, he’s a meat scientist. Others know him as a meats judging coach. Some call him “the father of instrument grading.” To those who’ve worked most closely with him, Dr. Glen Dolezal is much more. The hard-nosed, fierce competitor and brilliant researcher, with a knack for explaining science in layman’s terms, is a trusted counselor and prankster.
He deflects credit to others while letting his own success speak for itself.
And it has. With notable contributions to academia and trade, Dolezal left his mark on the meat science world – its people, the science and implications for all sectors of the beef industry.
Dolezal was honored with the Certified Angus Beef 2024 Industry Achievement Award.
2024 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 Influential 10 Percent
Paul Dykstra, Certified Angus Beef
Over 10% of Angus-influenced cattle that miss the upper two-thirds of Choice are within only 30 marbling points. Paul Dykstra shared what a 30-point shift to the right could mean for producers and the beef market. He explained why percent Choice is an outdated goal for producers and explored the idea that for the cow-calf producer, a meaningful shift towards carcass quality might not require extremes.
Sustainable Gains: Optimizing Meat Production with Marbling Genetics
Daniel Clark, Certified Angus Beef and Dale Woerner, Texas Tech University
This presentation merged insights from the pandemic era with new technologies that promise accurate yield assessment. Drs. Clark and Woerner discussed philosophies to reduce days on feed and improve yield. Explore how these innovations can optimize resource use and boost industry sustainability.
Insight from the Packer
Chad Barker, National Beef Packer Co., and Mark McCully, American Angus Association
Today, there are more opportunities for cattlemen to earn premiums for high-quality cattle than ever before. But it doesn’t just happen without strategic cattle marketing and choosing the right partners. Chad and Mark shared what kind of cattle the National Beef Packing Co. procurement team is seeking and ways to capitalize on this premium market starting at the ranch.
Industry Involvement in Grading Evolution
Abram Babcock, Adams Land & Cattle; Glen Dolezal, Cargill Protein; Derek Vote, Consultant; Moderator: John Stika, Certified Angus Beef
While the beef grading system continues to effectively differentiate quality levels and assign associated values to beef carcasses, the further evolution and adoption of grading technologies present opportunities to enhance its benefit to the industry. The Cattle Industry Grading Advisory Group was established to promote the advancement of grading technologies in collaboration with the USDA and create a sense of urgency to meet the needs of the beef business. Leaders involved in the group shared about progress and insight into what the future may hold for the objective and consistent application of beef grading.
Marketing Cattle in the Current Carcass Pricing Environment
Pete Anderson, Midwest PMS
With today’s economics and technologies, how do we increase the profitability of fed cattle? It’s not a one-size-fits-all model and strategic management accompanied by strategic marketing might hold some of the answers.
How Does a Feeder Value Genetic Information?
Tom Fanning, Pratt Feeders Group; Troy Marshall, American Angus Association; Grant Morgan, Poky Feeders; Moderator: Bruce Cobb, Certified Angus Beef
Genetics undoubtedly play a crucial role in the cattle feeding world. Commercial producers making the best genetic choices should seek ways to capitalize on their investment. Veterans in the feeding industry talk about the changing landscape of the role genetics play in their business and how they value that information.
Replacement Female Decisions that Matter
Randall Spare, Ashland Veterinary Center Inc.
In the valley of low cattle supplies, producers should look ahead for opportunities when rebuilding the cow herd. Many factors affect the decision to buy or raise your own replacements, but what are you considering beyond feed and resources? Randall discussed how to incorporate genetics to ensure you’re building back with cattle that can do everything you need them to.
Effects of Current Technologies on Cattle Management
AJ Tarpoff, Kansas State University; Justin Gleghorn, Cactus Feeders; Moderator: Kirsten Nickles, Certified Angus Beef
From government regulations to growth and management technologies, there are constant changes affecting decisions at multiple stages of cattle management. What do commercial producers need to know about these and how can cattle feeders maximize them?
Success Stories in BQA
Bob Smith, Veterinary Research and Consulting Services LLC
For years Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) has improved both consumer perceptions and meat quality. It is the industry standard for all cattle feeders today, but that doesn’t make it any less effective. Hear from one of the pioneers of BQA as Dr. Bob Smith walked through some of the most successful lessons that feeders can still learn from and implement today.
