News Release
For Immediate Release — July 1, 2009
Stockmanship Featured at
Steak and Potatoes Field Day
CROSSVILLE, Tenn. — Renowned stockmanship instructor Curt Pate will be the featured luncheon speaker at the University of Tennessee Steak and Potatoes Field Day.
The free event starts at 8 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at UT's Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville. Working with live cattle, Pate will demonstrate the low-stress cattle handling techniques for which he is famous. His methods support a “for profit” mindset that emphasizes the economic benefits of handling stock correctly. Pate also emphasizes the impact of improved handling to sustainability of the industry as livestock production comes under more and more scrutiny. Pate’s appearance is part of a national Stockmanship and Stewardship Tour.
Additional field day topics of interest to cattle producers include managing fuel, fertilizer and feed; weaning management; and causes of beef fatalities.
The field day, or open house, will also feature fruit and vegetable production talks, including wine making, home gardening, and weed and disease control – especially biofumigation for prevention of weeds and soil borne pathogens.
An additional tour during the field day will update visitors on switchgrass production, farm pond management, and forest owner opportunities.
The event, which includes a sponsored lunch, will be held at the main unit of the Plateau Center located on U.S. Hwy. 70N west of Crossville. A map and complete directions are available online at http://plateau.tennessee.edu/location/ For more information, call the Center at 931-484-0034.
The Plateau Research and Education Center in Crossville is one of 10 outdoor laboratories located throughout the state as part of the UT AgResearch system. UT AgResearch is a division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. In addition to its agricultural research programs, the UT Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine and UT Extension offices in every county in the state.
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Contacts:
J. Walt Hitch, Director, UT Plateau Research and Education Center, 931-484-0034, jhitch@utk.edu
Patricia McDaniels, UTIA Marketing and Communications, 615-835-4570, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu