Join us for our fourth annual Livestock and Forage Grower Update on February 20 and 22, 2024, beginning at 11:30 AM and concluding at 1:00 PM on both Tuesday and Thursday. This webinar will be recorded for future viewing – please pre-register for the webinar to obtain access to the recording.
Flyer
Agenda
Tuesday, February 20
Weather Outlook – Becky Bolinger, Ph.D. | CSU Department of Atmospheric Science
Market Update – Dr. Steve Koontz | CSU Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics
Irrigation Strategies – Dr. Joe Brummer | CSU Department of Soil and Crop Sciences
Thursday, February 22
Biosecurity, Current Diseases, and Outbreak Issues – Raye Walck D.V.M. | CSU Western Slope Veterinary Diagnostic Lab
Emergency Preparedness: Fire, Flood, and Insurance – Todd Hagenbuch | CSU Extension
Influences on Meat Quality – Jennifer Martin, Ph.D. | CSU Department of Animal Sciences
Speakers
Becky Bolinger, Ph.D. | Assistant State Climatologist
Becky Bolinger is the Assistant State Climatologist at the Colorado Climate Center, Colorado State University. Her interests include climate variability, climate trends, climate prediction, the hydrologic cycle, water resources, and climate and drought monitoring. She has worked for three different climate centers, has experience with many different climate datasets, and has experience with research and applications in climate. Her expertise and passion is bridging the gap between climate research and decision-making applications.
Steve Koontz, Ph.D. | Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics Professor
My research interests are focused on commercial commodity agricultural markets of significance in Colorado. These industries include cattle and beef, feed grains, wheat, forage and dairy. My research examines market and price analysis tools, forecasting and modeling methods, and linkage of those tools with agribusiness and risk management. My research also includes long-term scholarly interests in industrial organization, econometric methods, and experimental economics. My most recent projects have involved examining the impact of alternative marketing methods used in livestock industries on the performance of cash markets, examining alternative trading and ownership institutions in experimental economic markets, the impact of ethanol demand on corn and other commodity markets, the economic value of sorting fed cattle, and the economics of animal disease control and insurance.
Jennifer Martin, Ph.D. | Department of Animal Sciences Sciences Associate Professor
Dr. Jennifer Martin is an Associate Professor in Meat Safety and Quality and Meat Extension Specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University. In 2022, Jennifer was named a Presidential Leadership Fellow and currently spends part of her time assisting in university-wide strategic initiatives. She is originally from Central Texas and received her M.S. (2010) and Ph.D. (2014) from Texas Tech University before joining Colorado State University in the Spring of 2015. Jennifer’s research program focuses on the quality and safety of meat and related products, emphasizing exploration of solutions and opportunities with industry partners. In addition to research, Jennifer works closely with meat and livestock industry members across Colorado and the nation. Notably, she is the coordinator of the Pet Food Alliance, a collaborative industry organization focused on exploring solutions for the pet food and rendering industries. She also serves as the co-leader for the Upskilling Initiative, a workforce development program. She plays an active role in on-campus programs, including the Provost’s Council for Engagement, Faculty Council, and numerous committees. In addition to her University work, Jennifer is involved in numerous livestock organizations across the country. Jennifer, her husband Chad, and their dog Mel, live in Timnath, CO.
Joe Brummer, Ph.D. | Department of Soil & Crop Sciences Associate Professor
After working for Colorado State University for 29 years, Joe retired in 2023. He worked at the Mountain Meadow Research Center in Gunnison for 12 years conducting research and extension programs in the area of high elevation forage and livestock production. He then moved to the main campus in Fort Collins in 2006 where had statewide responsibilities in the area of forage production and management. He grew up in south-central Kansas on a dryland wheat and livestock operation. All three of his degrees are in range management with emphasis on grazing management. He gained practical experience working with improved forages in both the sub irrigated hay meadows in the Nebraska Sandhills and the mountain hay meadows in western Colorado. Working with improved forages has allowed him to combine his interests in agronomy with pasture and livestock production.
Raye Walck, DVM | CSU Western Slope Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Director
Since graduating from CSU in 1998, Dr. Walck has practiced veterinary medicine in a variety of settings, including mixed practice, Avian Influenza Emergency Response with the USDA, and in her current capacity as the director of CSU Western Slope VDL.
Todd Hagenbuch | Routt County Extension Director
Todd Hagenbuch is the Ag/Natural Resources Extension Specialist for Colorado State University in Routt County. The fourth generation of his family to ranch in Routt County, he began his career in Extension in 2012. He handles all manner of agricultural issues including small acreage management, weed identification and control, rangeland management, and more. When not working on extension programs, he enjoys time with his wife and two kids tending to their large garden and small chicken flock.
