So what is marbling really worth and what’s it cost to get it! Come see and hear the results from this feeding trial as we try to sort out the economics of the chase for marbling genetics and feeding programs. 18 steers are being fed on a high corn diet at Ridgetown College for four to five months. Nine breed combinations from Ontario herds involved in performance testing are being fed in groups with individual feed intake recorded. The ration is corn, supplement, and corn silage (15% of dry matter intake). The cattle will be weighed bi weekly and ultrasounded for external fat, marbling, and loin eye area. Carcass information will be collected as part of the demonstration . As well participants at the workshop will take part in taste panels.
The symposium program on Aug. 24t starts at 9 a.m. with registration. At 9:30 a.m the symposium starts with an outline of the Feeding Trail and Demonstration at Ridgetown College by David Murray and Phil McEwen. Steve Miller from the University of Guelph will discuss Using Ultrasound to Predict Carcass Quality. Ira Mandell, University of Guelph will show and discuss the Carcass Results from the Feeding Demonstration. Production and Marketing of Bulls for the Commercial Market will be another program highlight in the morning. The final agenda item before lunch is the Taste Panel and Outline of the Evaluation Contest.
The afternoon program starts at 1 p.m with the taste panel summary and evaluation contest report. Dale Pallister, Chair of the Ontario Corn Feed Program will give a program update. A presentation on Production and Marketing of Selected F1 Commercial Heifers by Mac Creech, Lloydminister, Saskatchewan will be a highlight of the afternoon program. Joanne Handley, OMAFRA Beef Cattle Geneticist will talk on ìDefine and Refine Your Genetics". The final speaker of the afternoon is Tom Hamilton OMAFRA Beef Productions Systems Lead on Calving in Mud or 30 - There Has to be a Better Way.
Registration includes program proceedings and lunch. PreRegistration is $30 when payment received
by Aug.14. At the Door the cost is $40. Register for Kemptville Symposium at the OMAFRA Resource Centre Box 2004, ORC Building, Kemptville K0G 1J0 telephone 613-258- 8295 or fax 613-258-8392.
This Program is a collaborative effort of Ontario Cattlemenís Association, OMAFRA Beef Team, University of Guelph, Ontario Cattle Feeders, Beef Improvement Ontario and OATI.
Brochures are available from your local OMAFRA Resource Centre or for more information contact Nancy Noecker, Cow Calf Specialist in Kemptville at 613-258-8476.
From the Archives:
OMAFRA Update 1, July 2000
