The 53rd Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, coordinated by Texas Cooperative Extension, will be held Aug. 6-8 at Texas A&M University in College Station. Several cattleman's college sessions will focus on managing a ranch so that cattle harvest more of the forage themselves. "Management Strategies to Combat Rising Costs of Fertilizer, Fuel and Hay" is the title for this year's forage management program during the short course, says Larry Redmon, extension forage specialist. "Fertilization strategies, hay quality, overseeding winter pastures and utilizing legumes to reduce nitrogen inputs will all be discussed during this session," Redmon says.

The nutritional management session will be centered on supplemental feeding programs for the cow-calf and stocker producer. An additional seminar will focus strictly on grazing management. New to this year's cattleman's college will be a session titled, "Issues Affecting Landowners." An in-depth discussion on leasing the wind, water and mineral rights of your land will be highlighted.

The short course will have 19 specialized workshops that are part of the cattleman's college. A general session will include discussions of the cattle market outlook, the beef industry of the future and emerging cattle markets.

Short course registration costs $140 until July 30, and includes admission to the 2 1/2-day conference, a copy of the proceedings, trade show admittance, tickets to the "Famous Aggie Prime Rib" dinner, noon meals and refreshment breaks. Producers may register online at animalscience.tamu.edu/ansc/BCSC/index.html or by contacting Jason Cleere's office at 979-845-6931.