The Texas A&M Beef Cattle Sustainability Summit is a primer in sustainability topics related to the beef industry. This 2-day event will feature expert speakers from across the country and tours/demonstrations to showcase sustainability initiatives that impact global beef markets. We will introduce the drivers of climate-centric initiatives in the industry, what the relevant terms/metrics are and what they mean (i.e., what are SBTi’s?, carbon markets?, scope 1-3 emissions?), current research and action being conducted to reduce beef’s climate footprint, and future projects that will facilitate the future of beef.

Industry professionals, students, extension personnel, and cattle producers are welcome.

Hotel Block available at the Hilton College Station. All reservations need to be made by 10/20/24.

Reservations can be made by following this direct booking link or by calling 979.693.7500 or 800-HILTONS. Use group code: 909 (failure to use this code will prevent the guest from receiving the discounted rate).

 

Registration is limited, so sign up soon!

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Tentative Agenda:

Monday, November 11: Annenberg Presidential Conference Center

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Registration Open; Coffee and snacks available

1:00 PM: Welcome and Introduction – Program Committee

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Drivers for sustainability initiatives: How did we get here? – Ben Weinheimer, President & CEO, Texas Cattle Feeders Association

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Drivers for sustainability initiatives: Where are we going? – Miguel Gonzalez, Sr. Ag Operations Advisor – USDA Foreign Ag Service & US Agency for International Development/Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance

3:00 PM – 3:20 PM: Coffee/networking break

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: How is research addressing beef sustainability? – Dr. Pedro Carvalho, Assistant Professor and Feedlot Specialist, Colorado State AgNext

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: How is the private sector evolving? – Dr. Wayne Morgan, Corporate Vice President, President Protein Products and Operations Services at Golden State Foods

5:30 PM Dinner (offsite)

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Tuesday, November 12 (Partial Field Day)

8:00 AM: Bus Pickup at Hilton College Station

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM: ST Genetics Tour; Navasota, TX

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Travel to Annenberg Conference Center

11:15 AM – 11:45 AM: Water and Soil Demonstrations at Annenberg – Texas Grazing Land Coalition

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM: Lunch, Student Posters

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM: How can producers profit off sustainability initiatives: Efficiency and management – Dr. Tryon Wickersham, Texas A&M Department of Animal Science

1:50 PM – 2:35 PM: Carbon Markets and Ecosystem Services 101 – Chad Ellis, Chief Executive Officer at Texas Agricultural Land Trust

2:35 PM – 2:50 PM: Coffee/networking break

2:50 PM – 3:35 PM: The human element: How do we help our farmers/ranchers? – Myriah Johnson, Vice President, Corporate Sustainability at FCSAmerica

3:40 PM – 4:25 PM: Farmer/rancher panel: Hurdles and successes

4:30 PM: Open floor discussion: “What’s next?”

5 PM: Concluding remarks

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Special student and TAMU faculty pricing is available. For more information or if you are interested in sponsoring the summit, contact Dr. Jacquelyn Prestegaard-Wilson at j.prestegaard@tamu.edu.