Manhattan, Kan. –The K-State Beef Team is pleased to invite you to the 2018 K-State Ranching Summit, Aug. 15, 2018 at the KSU Alumni Center in Manhattan, KS. The Ranching Summit event is designed to equip managers with the skills to address the challenges of ranching in the business climate of today and tomorrow. The theme of the program is “Beef 2030 – Pursuing technology, transparency and profitability.”
While the public’s image of a Kansas cowboy has not changed much over the years, the cowboy’s business has, as have the expectations of the public for the food they consume. The K-State Ranching Summit will take a forward look at the beef industry by addressing impacts of technology, consumer trends and how current managers are evaluating and adapting to challenges.
The lead-off speaker is Mr. Mark Gardiner, of Gardiner Angus, Ashland, KS who will discuss pursuing, adopting and leveraging technology in beef production. Maintaining profitability in the face of weather, market and other issues is an ongoing challenge for beef producers. A review of key managerial accounting numbers for successful ranch management will be presented by Mr. Tyson Johnson, Sooner Cattle Company, Pawhuska, OK.
Disruptive technologies are ones that create major changes in an existing industry and may create an entirely new industry. Even the most traditional ranches are not immune to the continued development of new technologies to add value to beef production. Dr. Tom Field, Director of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship program at the University of Nebraska will discuss disruptive technologies and provide insights on their impact in the beef industry.
Producers across the beef value chain continue to engage in dialogs about sustainability, animal disease traceability, production process transparency, consumer preferences and technology. The closing speaker will be Mr. John Butler, CEO, Innovative Livestock Services, Manhattan, KS. He will share his vision for the beef industry in 2030.
The program begins with registration at 8:30 am and will run from 9 am to 4 pm. Conference registration includes a luncheon meal as well as morning and afternoon refreshments. Early registration is $40 for individuals or $70 for the second person from the same operation, due by Aug. 8 or $70 per person at the door. A block of rooms with discounted rates has been reserved at the Holiday Inn at the Campus under “K-State Ranching Summit”. Reservations must be made by July 20 to receive the rate of $99.95 plus tax. Make reservations directly with the hotel at 785-539-7531 or on-line at www.holidayinn.com/universityks, using the group code RAN.
More Summit details, including registration information and a complete schedule will be available soon at www.KSUBeef.org. For questions about the event, contact Bob Weaber at bweaber@ksu.edu, 785-532-1460; or Lois Schreiner, lschrein@ksu.edu, 785-532-1267.
