TUCUMCARI, N.M. -- Texas and New Mexico Extension agencies will hold their sixth annual Southwest Beef Symposium on Jan. 20-21 at the Tucumcari Convention Center in Tucumcari, NM.

Dr. Bruce Carpenter, Texas AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist at Fort Stockton, said the symposium is tailored for southwestern beef producers. The event centers on four educational sessions and a trade show. It alternates yearly between locations in West Texas and eastern New Mexico.

"Questions about the economy and overall beef industry are on a lot of folks' minds these days," Carpenter said. "And with that in mind, in the first session on Jan. 20 we'll hear from Jason Henderson, executive vice president with the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank, about the U.S. economy and its impact on agriculture. We'll also hear from Josh Weingarner, director of government relations with Texas Cattle Feeders, regarding policy issues affecting our industry."

Other speakers from the National Cattleman's Beef Association and the University of Nebraska will address current animal welfare issues and the Beef Quality Assurance program.

On day two, in a session titled "The Cattlemen's Tool Box," Extension specialists from both states will discuss technologies in nutrition, genetics, health, risk management and livestock water. A short stocker cattle session by Dale Blassi of Kansas State University will follow.

The lunch speaker will be Dr. Lowell Cattlett, dean of New Mexico State University's College of Agriculture consumer and environmental sciences department.

The 2010 symposium will end with an afternoon session titled "Stockmanship and Stewardship." It will be conducted by Curt Pate, a rancher and American Quarterhorse Association professional horseman and clinician from Newell, SD; and Ron Gill, rancher, associate, department head and livestock specialist - Texas A&M University, College Station.

Pate and Gill's approach covers facility design, stockmanship skills and demonstrations in live-cattle handling techniques. They will also offer information on how better cattle handling can improve cattle performance and consumer confidence in beef.

For planning purposes, preregistration by Jan. 13 is recommended. Preregistration is $50. The fee includes a steak dinner, lunch, refreshments and printed proceedings.

For more information and to preregister, call Carpenter at 432-336-8585 or Clay Mathis at New Mexico State University at 575-646-8022.

A schedule of events and speaker information, as well as registration materials and lodging information, can be found at http://www.cahe.nmsu.edu/ces/swbeef.