Cattlemen gather for 58th annual convention

MIDWEST CITY — Animal welfare, animal behavior, consumer expectations, and market trends will be topics of discussion as members of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association gather in Midwest City this week.

The 58th Annual OCA Convention and Trade Show kicks off Thursday, July 29, and runs through Saturday, July 31, at the Reed Conference Center.  During this annual gathering of Oklahoma ranchers the OCA will focus on industry trends, discuss public policy issues, hear from world renowned speakers, and conduct officer elections and other association business.

Additionally, ranchers will have several opportunities to visit with the 100 plus trade show vendors in the sold out OCA Industry Trade Show. This Trade Show features a myriad of products including such things as animal health products, ranch and farm equipment, ranch service providers, cattle feed lot facilities, purebred cattle genetics, ranch finance, marketing

services and much more.

The three day event includes a fast paced education component. The Cattle-men’s College sessions are a collaborative effort of Oklahoma State University Animal Science and the Animal Industry Division of the State Department of Agriculture. Discussions this year will focus on cattle marketing issues and emerging cattle disease issues. Because of its emphasis on animal health and well being the Cattlemen’s College has been approved for 8.5 hours of continuing education for veterinarians.  

“This is a unique oppor-tunity for ranchers and veterinarians to come together to learn more about cattle issues such as trichomoniasis and animal traceability, said Dr. Becky Brewer, State Veterinarian.  “We appreciate the OCA’s leadership on animal welfare and other livestock issues.”

Also speaking is world renowned animal behaviorist, Dr. Temple Grandin.  Specializing in livestock be-havior courses and livestock facility design at Colorado State University, Grandin has been featured on numerous television news programs nationally and internationally and recently HBO documented her life’s work. This year Time magazine named her one of the most 100 influential people in the world.

Other speakers at this year’s event include David Martosko, Director of Research for the Center for Consumer Freedom; James Robb, Agricultural Economist; Jet McCoy, Amazing Race Contestant/Oklahoma Rancher; and Karen Budd Fallen, JD, Wyo., rancher and former Reagan Administration official.

“We are extremely proud to present this awesome line up of talented speakers,” said Terry Forst, OCA President. “The content of this year’s Convention and Trade Show is incredible and we look forward to a productive set of meetings in Midwest City .”

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