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Schedule of Events
The following is the preliminary schedule for the 2007 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting at the Hilton Fort Collins, Fort Collins, Colo., June 6-9. Please check back for updates periodically. Click on highlighted text for additional information.
  Wednesday, June 6
Noon–7 p.m.
Registration
5 p.m.
40 Years of Innovation: Colorado Welcome Reception
7 p.m.
National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) Symposium
  • 40 Years of Beef Artificial Insemination (AI)
    Robert Walton, former ABS President
  • Making Money with Commercial AI
    Tim Sutphin, Virginia
 Thursday, June 7 • PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS AT A CROSSROADS
6:30 a.m.
Shuttle service/CSU vans from off-site hotels to Hilton, runs every 20 minutes
7 a.m.
Registration
7:30 a.m.
Spouse/Family Tour Bus Departs Hilton, North Entrance
8 a.m.
Colorado Welcome
8:15 a.m.
A Look Back at BIF History
  • A.L. (Ike) Eller Jr., Extension animal scientist,     emeritus, Virginia Tech
8:45 a.m.
Introduction to Audience Input
Performance Programs at a Crossroads
  • Tom Field, professor of animal sciences, Colorado     State University
8:55 a.m.
Genetic Improvement and Who Benefits, at What Cost and Who Pays?
  • Kent Andersen, executive vice president, North     American Limousin Foundation
9:30 a.m.
Are Beef Genetics Research, Education and Extension Relevant?
  • Ronnie Green, national program leader, food animal     production, USDA-ARS
  • Brian McCulloh, Woodhill Farms Inc., Viroqua, Wis.
10:10 a.m.
Break
10:40 a.m.
What is Your Approach to Genetic Improvement?
  • Audience participation moderated by Tom Field,     Colorado State University
10:50 a.m.
Roundtable Discussion: Does the Seedstock Industry Focus on the Needs of the Commercial Cow-Calf Producer?
  • Moderator: Ron Bolze, director of commercial     marketing, Red Angus Association of America
  • Mark Gardiner, Gardiner Angus Ranch, Ashland,          Kan.
  • Steve Radakovich, Radakovich Cattle Co., Earlham,     Iowa
  • Mike Kasten, Kasten Ranch, Millersville, Mo.
  • Chip Ramsey, Rex Ranch, Ashby, Neb.
11:35 a.m.
Defining the Ideal Beef Animal. How Will We Get There?
  • Tom Field, Colorado State University
11:50 a.m.
Lunch
  • Presentations of Frank Baker, Continuing Service     and Commercial Producer awards
2 p.m.
Committee Meetings
  • Live Animal, Carcass and End Product
  • Selection Decisions
  • Genetic Prediction
5:30 p.m.
Shuttle buses begin for Equine Center, North Entrance of Hilton
6 p.m.
Foam on the Range, Equine Center
8 p.m.
Shuttle buses begin return trip to Hilton
 Friday, June 8 • CHALLENGES TO CONVENTIONAL WISDOM
6:30 a.m.
Shuttle service/CSU vans from off-site hotels to Hilton, run every 20 minutes
7 a.m.
Registration
8 a.m.
Outline of Day 1’s Audience Input
  • Tom Field, Colorado State University
8:10 a.m.
Can We Build the Ideal Beef Animal?
  • Darrh Bullock, Extension beef specialist, University of     Kentucky
8:25 a.m.
Users of Technology — Quality Grade: Why Haven’t We Seen an Improvement in Quality Grade?
  • A genetic improvement perspective, Dan Moser,     associate professor of animal sciences and industry,     Kansas State University
  • An environmental perspective, Pete Anderson, vice     president of sales and technical services, VetLife
9:15 a.m.
Are There Sacrifices in the Chase for Carcass Merit?
  • Bob Weaber, assistant professor of beef cattle     genetics, University of Missouri—Columbia
9:45 a.m.
Break
10:15 a.m.
Users of Technology — Are There Benefits to Using DNA Markers?
  • Producer perspective, Luke Lind, vice president of     marketing, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding
  • Academic perspective, Jerry Taylor, professor and     Wurdack chair of animal genomics, University of     Missouri
11 a.m.
Pioneer and Seedstock Awards, President’s address
Noon
BIF Board Elections
12:30 p.m.
Lunch
2 p.m.
Committee Meetings
  • Cow Herd Efficiency and Adaptability
  • Producer Applications
  • Emerging Technology
Evening on your own in beautiful “Old Town” Fort Collins
  Saturday, June 9 • TOURS
7 a.m.
Producer Tour Buses Depart, Hilton North Entrance
  • Beef Industry Players Tour
    Kuner Feedlot, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding
    Safeway Distribution Center, Denver, Colo.
    NCBA and Cattle-Fax Industry and market updates
    Aristocrat Angus Ranch, Platteville, Colo.
  • The Seedstock Alliances Tour
    Roy Wardell, Walter Farms Inc.
    Five Star Cattle Systems, Marketing Systems     overview
    Kuner Feedlot, Five Rivers Cattle Feeding