1997 Animal Industry Day Scheduled

Livestock Update, July 1997

Steve Umberger, Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech

The 34th Annual Animal Industry Day will be held at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, on Friday, July 11. Historically, Animal Industry Day has provided an opportunity for the livestock industry to come together in mid-summer between hay cuttings to spend a day on the Virginia Tech livestock farm visiting and participating in informal educational programs. This year's program is no exception. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and will continue through 9:45 a.m. at the Virginia Tech Livestock Center. During this time, participants will have the opportunity to view over 25 educational and commercial exhibits on display.

The program will get underway at 9:45 a.m. with winning research presentations by two of the Department of Animal and Poultry Science's outstanding students. At 10:15 a.m., Dr. Gary Minish, Head of the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences will provide an official welcome and introduce Dr. Andy Swiger, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to dedicate the Charles W. Wampler, Sr. Room, which is located in Litton-Reaves Hall on the Virginia Tech campus. At 10:45 a.m., Dr. Ike Eller, Director of Development for the College of Agriculture, will make a presentation on the need of a livestock teaching arena and the campaign to raise funds for the arena that is currently underway.

At 11:00 a.m., it will be Virginia Tech's privilege to have Dr. Harlan Ritchie deliver the keynote address, which is titled "Emerging Trends in Animal Agriculture." Dr. Ritchie is a Distinguished Professor of Animal Science at Michigan State University. He has conducted extension work on feedlot management for beef cattle, sheep, and swine, taught nine different undergraduate courses, and authored 180 scientific articles, 174 extension papers, 200 trade journal articles, and 400 newsletter articles. In recognition of his many scholarly accomplishments, he received the 1994 "University Distinguished Faculty Award" at Michigan State University, and the same year, his portrait was hung in the prestigious Saddle and Sirloin Club at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.

At noon, a complimentary beef, pork, and chicken barbecue will be served. During this time participants will have the opportunity to view exhibits and observe a horse riding demonstration in Campbell Arena. Following lunch, participants may choose between a horse program on riding and judging or a beef cattle program addressing the topic of "Selecting Your Next Herd Sire."

As a part of the Horse Program, Quarter Horse and Arabian judging classes will be placed and discussed. This will provide an excellent opportunity for young horse judging enthusiasts to practice and perfect their judging skills. At 1:00 p.m., there will be a Ron Stratton Quarter Horse Demonstration and Halter Judging. At 2:00 p.m., there will be a Ben-Mar Arabian Demonstration, and Ms. Susan Fuller will make a presentation on judging Arabian type.

The Beef Cattle Program, which starts at 1:00 p.m., will feature a panel discussion by Mr. Roy Wallace, Vice President of the Beef Cattle Program for Select Sires, Mr. Richard McClung, Wehrman Angus Farm in New Market, VA, and Dr. Harlan Ritchie, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at Michigan State University. Following the panel discussion will be a judging workshop with performance data on bull classes including the following breeds: Simmental provided by McDonald Farms, Blacksburg, VA; Gelbvieh, provided by Hickory Hill Farm, Blacksburg, VA; and Polled Hereford and Angus, provided by Virginia Tech. All programs will conclude at 3:00 p.m.

For a copy of the 1997 Animal Industry Day Program brochure contact your Virginia Cooperative County Extension Office or call the Virginia Tech Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences at (540) 231-5253.

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