Keynote speakers announced for the International Livestock Congress-USA

DENVER – “Addressing the issues of global consumer demands which are placing new perspectives, requirements and procedures on the US beef producers during the International Livestock Congress 2008 will be eight industry leaders recognized for their knowledge, experience and vision of the global beef industry,” said ILC-USA 2008 program co-chairmen Mark Gustafson, vice president international sales, JBS USA, and Clint Peck, director of Montana Beef Quality Assurance, Montana State University.

The Global Consumer Demand Panel moderated by Harry Knobbe, Harry Knobbe Feed Yards, West Point, Neb., will consist of John Brook, regional director Europe, Russia and the Middle East, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF); Joel Haggard, senior vice president, Asia-Pacific, USMEF; John Lundeen, executive director market research, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Homero Recio, COO, Agri-West International, Inc.

The Response Panel – Producing for the Global Market, moderated by Randy Blach, executive vice president, CattleFax, will consist of Don Mackay, CEO, Australia Agricultural Company Unlimited, Miguel de Achaval, general manager, Cactus Argentina, S.A.; Gary Smith, PhD, university distinguished professor, Colorado State University and Dave Plett, president/CEO Western Feedlots, Alberta, Canada.

“The quality and diversity of experience of these panelists provides a unique opportunity for the participants at the January 15, 2008 International Livestock Congress-USA to hear for themselves what they need to do to produce for the global beef market,” continued Gustafson.

“The number of early registrations for the ILC-USA 2008 indicates the demand for such information,” added Peck.

For the complete ILC-USA 2008 program, pre-congress tours and registration information visit TheISEF.com. The ILC-USA 2008 will be held at Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec Street, 303-399-7500. A special room rate of $87 has been secured for conference attendees who specify ILC-USA. The cost of registration is $150 through December 14, and $175 thereafter. Students may attend for $100. Registration includes the conference, grounds admission to the National Western, and all January 15 activities, including a beef tasting experience.

The 2008 International Livestock Congress-USA 2008 is funded in part by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation. The International Livestock Congress (ILC) events, produced in cooperation with the International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation (ISEF) and the National Western Stock Show, focus on providing solutions to US beef producers.

WHERE’S THE BEEF?

Nancy Rollings Saul The Courier

Published Saturday, July 21, 2007

The high cost of raising livestock is showing up in the dwindling number of animal entries at county fairs. But that’s not the case at the Logan County Fair, which continues to have strong numbers of animals and fierce competitions in the shows.

Four-H livestock competition at the Logan County Fair is still going strong, even in the face of rising corn and fuel costs.

But that’s not true everywhere.

Macon, Champaign and Piatt counties got down to so few animals in 2005, planners last year decided to combine for a show they called the Eastern Prairie Livestock Expo. The show included cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, poultry and rabbits.

The rabbit and poultry show was in Piatt County and the large animal competition took place in Champaign County. Champaign had enough entries for its own horse show and Macon and Piatt held a combined horse show.