01/02/07 Five beef schools

The University of Idaho extension will hold five Winter Beef Schools later this month beef cattle producers in southwestern Idaho. It begins January 18th in Cambridge and wraps up in Caldwell on January 25th. In between the workshops will be held the 22nd in Emmett, the 23rd in Bruneau and on the 24th in Jordan Valley, Oregon. U of I's Jason Ahola says they will focus on issues that most cattlemen have to face today. AHOLA "The stage of the cattle cycle that we're in and feeding cattle in Idaho meaning whether maybe to retain ownership or not how that has become sort of a different ballgame now that we've lost Tyson as a packer." The sessions will include the results of the 2006 National Beef Quality Audit. AHOLA "Trying to convey to cattlemen what's the recent news from the consumer end and the packer end. What are they looking for?" The times for the five meetings vary but each includes lunch or dinner. You can call Ahola in Caldwell at 459-6365 for more info or get in touch with the UI Extension offices in Cambridge, Emmett, Bruneau or Jordan Valley. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott