TORRINGTON – The 2024 Southeast Wyoming Beef Symposium and Trade Show was held in Torrington at the Goshen County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 19. The all-day event began at 9 a.m. with coffee and the tradeshow in the pavilion. Guests from around the area were invited to enjoy a light breakfast while meeting and engaging with the event vendors and networking with beef industry colleagues.

Jessica Sperber, Extension Assistant Professor and Feedlot Specialist at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln was the opening keynote speaker of the event. Sperber holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science and she specializes in Ruminant Nutrition. Sperber spoke on growth-enhancing technologies in the industry from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

“She (Sperber) brings extensive experience in feedlot nutrition and industry outreach. Originally from Alberta, Canada, Sperber’s role focuses on education, problem-solving for feedlot operation and coordinating the Nebraska beef feedlot extension team,” the university said. 

The first breakout session was led by McKenna Julian, Uinta County Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator and Dagan Montgomery, educator with the Sublette County Extension at 11 a.m. Shelby Rosasco, Extension Beef Specialist and Brian Lee, Research Scientist and Economist at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center led the second breakout session at 11 a.m. where they discussed heifer development.

During the lunch hour, Eric Webster, University of Wyoming’s Director of Experiment Stations provided an update on the latest research happenings at each research center across the state. 

After lunch, the group moved into the second set of breakout sessions where they had the option to hear from Rob Ziegler, the university’s beef marking specialist or Chance Marshall the university’s agriculture and natural resource educator from Fremont County. Ziegler spoke on the beef market outlooks and projected market trends affecting the cattle industry and Marshall spoke on cows and calves.

Matt Makens, meteorologist, spoke on weather outlook and considerations focusing on specific global weather conditions impacting the region. Makens emphasized on near-term outlooks and potential long-term effects on development, innovation and adaption strategies. 

During the direct-to-consumer panel held at 3 p.m., Jedidiah Hewlett, a University of Wyoming Extension Educator from Converse County moderated a discussion on local beef producers and processors sharing insight on the Wyoming beef industry, lessons learned and future prospects for beef production in the state. 

As the afternoon wrapped up, a discussion was provided for key takeaways which was followed by a question-and-answer period with the speakers and presenters.