SAN ANGELO – Texas Cooperative Extension will host West Texas Beef 706, a four-part workshop for cattle producers, beginning March 1.

Dates, times and locations are:

- March 1, 5:30 p.m., Producers Livestock Auction for dinner and program kickoff, calf management and feeder calf evaluation.

-June15, 5:30 p.m., Angelo State University's Management, Instruction and Research Center for dinner and review of calves at feeding mid-point, and observe best beef quality management and selection practices.

-Aug. 3, 5:30 p.m., Angelo State University's Management, Instruction and Research Center for dinner and review of calves as finished market steers. Review performance data and discuss grading and grid marketing.

-Aug. 22-23, 8:30 a.m., Angelo State University's Management, Instruction and Research Center, for hands-on grading, virtual feedyard/packing plant tour, beef carcass cutting, tasting session, and program wrap-up.

Dr. Dan Hale, Extension meats specialist at College Station, said the program offers cattle producers a special opportunity to learn the best management practices to improve their cattle and profit margin.

"Participants leaving this program will have a much greater insight as to what's making money in today's cattle industry," said Hale. "The program centers around tracking a group of feeder calves from purchase to slaughter. The results may surprise even the most seasoned producer."

Every beef producer should attend Beef 706, said Joe Pat Hemphill, a cow/calf producer from Coleman.

"Whether you've been producing beef more than 50 years as I have, or you're a newcomer to the business, the information presented in Beef 706 is important and pertinent to our ever-changing industry."

Van Horn rancher Jon Means said the program is one of the most beneficial courses he's ever attended.

"To be involved, hands-on, in the evaluation of a live animal and follow that particular animal to its value in the meat case is an insight to anyone in our business," said Means. "I would encourage every producer to attend."

The program is limited to 40 people. RSVP by Feb. 20 to Lori Sleeper, Texas Beef Council at (800) 846-4113,loris@txbeef.org .

Individual registration is $45 payable to Angelo State University at the first meeting. Hale said the Texas Beef Council is contributing more than $400 per person to cover most of the program's cost.