2007 International Livestock session will be in Denver

The National Western Stock Show will host the 2007 International Livestock Congress-USA on Jan. 9.

Skylar Houston of Platteville is chairman of the National Western's Agri-Business Center and said the congress brings producers, retailers, meat packers and others in the industry supply chain a new focus from a long-respected international forum.

Bruce Knight, USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, will be the luncheon speaker. Highlights of the day-long event include a meat packer panel with representatives from Swift & Co., Tyson and Cargill Meat Solutions and a producer panel with representatives from the cow-calf and feedlot segment and the export and auction segment.

The congress will be at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec St. and will get started the day before with a special presentation by Temple Gradin of Colorado State University. She will focus on understanding the importance of cattle behavior, reducing stress in cattle and the design of cattle handling facilities.

"This is going to be an exciting event that will probably draw several hundred people," Houston said.

Other programs will be a hands-on event that will show producers where the various meat cuts come from on a beef animal, why certain cuts are exported, and the value of different cuts. There also will be a discussion on grid pricing based on carcass merit, workshops on age and source verification, additional methods of adding value to the ranch such as wildlife, fishing and birding, disease prevention, drought management and risk management.

The Animal Identification Trailer from Montana State University will be available for viewing, demonstrations from students and staff at CSU will be given, and the Beef Quality Assurance Display from Oklahoma State University also will be available.