This year’s BIF Research Symposium and Convention moves to virtual event scheduled for the week of June 8.
MANHATTAN, Kansas – It was announced on April 2 the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) board of directors, along with the Florida 2020 BIF Research Symposium and Convention committee, made the decision to transition this year’s conference to an online format due to COVID-19.
BIF leadership is in the process of planning an updated symposium online. “Our BIF program committee working with the Florida group has honed the original schedule to work in the new online format,” says Joe Mushrush, BIF vice president and program chairman. “Our goal is to provide learning opportunities that will help producers continue to improve their bottom line focused on beef improvement. As our President Tommy Clark said last week, ‘Our mission as an organization is intact during this challenging time and we will continue to provide educational programing focused on how the beef industry can enhance value through genetic improvement.’”
The virtual event will be hosted online the week of June 8 starting at noon CDT each day. The conference will be hosted on the Zoom webinar platform. By mid-May, participants will be able to register for the event, find a detailed schedule and Zoom tutorials on the BIF website — BeefImprovement.org.
2020 BIF award winners, including Seedstock and Commercial Producers of the Year, Pioneer and Continuing Service award winners will be recognized during the online symposium.
Below is a tentative schedule for the 52nd Annual Beef Improvement Federation Symposium – Online (all times are CDT):
Monday, June 8
Noon Welcome
12:15 p.m. YOUNG PRODUCERS SYMPOSIUM
What Will the Purebred Cattle Industry Look Like in 20 years – Bill Rishel, Rishel Angus
Financial Planning for a New Generation of Producers – Adam Trott, Financial Analyst Manager, Rabo AgriFinance
1:45 p.m. BIF Board/Officer election results
Scholarship award presentations
BIF Ambassador Award presentation
Tuesday, June 9
Noon Tuesday Welcome
12:15 p.m. GENERAL SESSION 1
Consumer Market Research — What They Say They Need, and They Want – Shawn Darcy, Director of Market Research, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Market Research
1:15 p.m. BIF Awards Program
Commercial Producer of the Year
Pioneer Awards
1:45 p.m. Perspectives from End-User — What We Need and What We Want – Henry Zerby, VP of Protein Procurement and Innovation, Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Co-Op (QSCC) Inc.
Wednesday, June 10
Noon Wednesday Welcome
12:15 p.m. GENERAL SESSION 2
Global Perspectives on Beef Sustainability – Don Close, Rabo AgriFinance
1:15 p.m. BIF Awards Program
Seedstock Producer of the Year
BIF Continuing Service Awards
1:45 p.m. Systems Approach to Beef Cattle Sustainability – Dr. Clay Mathis, King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management, Texas A & M University—Kingsville
Thursday, June 11
Noon Technical Breakout – Advancement in End-product Improvement
2 p.m. Technical Breakout – Advancement in Emerging Technology
4 p.m. Technical Breakout – Advancement in Selection Decisions
Friday, June 12
Noon Technical Breakout – Advancement in Efficiency and Adaptability
2 p.m. Technical Breakout – Advancement in Producer Applications
4 p.m. Technical Breakout – Genomic and Genetic Prediction
The BIF Board sends well wishes to our beef industry family during this global pandemic. While final details surrounding this transition are still taking shape, we are committed to providing an easily accessible, robust online conference experience that eliminates the health concerns that come with travel and face-to-face meetings at this time. We also wish to thank the Florida committee for their help planning this year’s event and look forward to having the symposium in Florida in future years.
For details regarding the online conference as they develop, visit http://www.beefimprovement.org. Prior to and during this year’s symposium, be sure to follow the event on social media channels using the hashtag #BIF2020.
Individuals who had already registered for the in-person event will be refunded their registration in the next couple of weeks. For those who booked flights, please contact your airline to check their refund policy for cancellations due to COVID-19.
