Plan now to attend the Mid-South Stocker Conference, Feb. 24-25 at Lake Barkely State Resort Park in Cadiz, KY. It promises to be one of the stoutest lineups of presentations and speakers ever offered at the conference; and that’s saying something.

Here’s some of what you can expect at the conference this year, all under the theme of “Stocker Solutions for Challenging Times”:

Tours – Feb. 24

• Scott Jolly Farm – large feeder with integrated operation; feeds wet distillers grains.
  
• Fox Creek Cattle Co./Sorrell Farms – buys about 60,000 head/year; runs 4,000-5,000 stockers/year.
  
• King Livestock and King Livestock Express – order buyer specializing in “farm-fresh” and CPH-type cattle.
  
• Tim Cato Farm – smaller stocker operator with about 300 head on feed; feeds modified distillers in fence line bunks.

Presentations – Feb. 25

• Value of veterinary services in stocker operations, Dee Griffin, Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center.
  
• Survival and sustainability of stocker operations, Walt Prevatt, Auburn University.
  
• Marketing outlook, Mike Murphy, Cattle-Fax.
  
• Producer panel, Leamon Bratton, TN; and Dick Ryan, WI.
  
• Implications of lower phosphorus in fertilizers and minerals, Jeff Lehmkuhler, University of Kentucky
  
• COOL implications for stocker operators, Nate Jaeger, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

Registration is $95. For more info, contact Jim Neel at 865-974-7294 (jneel@utk.edu); or John Bartee, 931-648-5725 (jbartee1@utk.edu).