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Ranching & Wildlife H Calf is an educational program for Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ members dedicated to providing education, support and skills to aid in decision making related to beef cattle production for beef producers, weekend ranchers and anyone looking to learn something new.



Ranching & Wildlife H Calf Program Costs for 2023

  • Enrollment for 2023 programs will be a la carte at $50 per event per person
  • If you wish to attend one or all of the events, please use the registration link to sign up for them individually.
  • All Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Members and their guests are welcome to attend the events.

*Must be 21 and a Member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to participate in the program


Participant Benefits

  • Lectures by top agricultural experts
  • Webinars with agricultural experts in various fields (tentatively set for 6 webinars in the Fall)
  • Library of additional resources by topics
  • Network with fellow Ranching & Wildlife H Calf Participants


Becoming a Participant

For more information about participating please email hcalf@rodeohouston.com

Ranching & Wildlife H Calf Program Schedule

July 22nd – H Calf Adult Trip, Bailey's Prairie & Houston, TX – 9 AM – 5 PM

  • R-C Ranch (Wagyu Beef – Direct to Consumer Texas Craft Meats) – Baileys Prairie, TX
  • R-C Ranch Butcher Shop – Airline Drive, Houston, TX

August 7th-9th – TAMU Beef Cattle Short Course, College Station, TX

  • We encourage everyone to attend the Beef Cattle Short Course at Texas A&M University to gain a deeper understanding of the beef cattle industry and current trends.
  • https://beefcattleshortcourse.com/
  • A dinner will be hosted August 8th for anyone participating in the Beef Cattle Short Course and R&W H Calf Program.

August 12th - H Calf BBQU, Karbach Brewery - 9 AM - 5 PM

  • Brisket History
  • Anatomy of a Brisket
  • Beef Grading and Certified Beef Programs
  • Knife Selection, Slicing, & Carving
  • Taste Test Brisket Lunch
  • The Science Behind Barbecue
  • Seasonings Overview
  • Should I wrap or not wrap?

Past Programs

2022

DATE TIME TOPIC(S) SPEAKER(S) WEBINAR LINK RESOURCES
June 15, 2022 9:00 a.m. Enhancing Veterinarian Relationship & Knape Beef Ranch to Table Gregg Knape, DVM    
July 9, 2022 9:00 a.m. Ranch to Table Beef
Purebred Akaushi Cow/calf operation
     
August 13, 2022 9:00 a.m. Cooking brisket, ribs, and steak Davey B. Griffin, Professor and Extension Meat Specialist    
     

2021

DATE TIME TOPIC(S) SPEAKER(S) WEBINAR LINK RESOURCES
June 14, 2021 11:30 a.m. Genetic Technology in Beef Cattle Matt Spangler, PhD from University of Nebraska Recording Genetic Technology in Beef Presentation
Genetic Technology in Beef Notes Sheet
June 21, 2021 11:30 a.m. Cows Do What to the Planet Dr. Ron Gill from Texas A&M University Recording Cattle and the Environment
June 28, 2021 11:30 a.m. Not Your Dad’s Ranch Marketing Rachel Cutrer - Ranch House Designs and Rancher Recording Presentation Slides
July 5, 2021 No Webinar, celebrate July 4th  
July 12, 2021 11:30 a.m. Developing a Brush Management Plan Jeff Goodwin – Sr Pasture/Range Consultant – Noble Research Institute Recording Presentation Slides
July 19, 2021 11:30 a.m. Do You possess the 8 characteristics of an Intentional Robert Wells, Ph.D. – Noble Research Institute Recording Presentation

Article
July 26, 2021 11:30 a.m. TBD Trent Loos Recording  
August 2, 2021 No Webinar, please go check out the Beef Cattle Short Course  
August 9, 2021 11:30 a.m. Ranching For Profit Utilizing Better Nutritional Systems Approach Jason Smith
Assistant Professor - TAMU
Recording  
August 16, 2021 11:30 a.m. Livestock Emergency Management & Preparation Dr. Jason Cleere – Texas A&M University Recording  
August 23, 2021 11:30 a.m. Estate Planning and Policy Changes Affecting Ag Tiffany Dowell Lashmet – Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Agricultural Law Recording  

2020

DATE
TIME
TOPIC
SPEAKER(S)
WEBINAR LINK
RESOURCES
June 1, 2020 11:30 a.m. Cattle 101
Cattle 101

Beef Cattle Industry Terminology, Ranching Basics Explained, and Fundamental Meat Overview

Dr. Ron Gill from Texas A&M University
Dr. Ron Gill

Dr. Ronald Gill is professor and Extension livestock specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. In addition, he serves as Associate Department Head and Program Leader for Extension animal science faculty. Gill continues to provide leadership in Extension programming related to animal well-being and low-stress livestock handling and assists in providing leadership to statewide programming efforts for Beef Safety and Quality Assurance programming. Other interests include beef cattle and equine nutritional management and value-added marketing. Gill is a member of the beef cattle and equine sections in the Department of Animal Science. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Angelo State University and his doctorate from Texas A&M University.

YouTube Dr. Ron Gill - Beef 101 Presentation
June 8, 2020 11:30 a.m. Consumer Insights and Virtual Engagement
Consumer Insights and Virtual Engagement

Exploring changes in consumer behavior and how the Beef Checkoff is adapting messages and education to meet these evolving needs.

Rachel Chou and Victoria Heller from Texas Beef Council
Rachel Chou

Director of Consumer Marketing for the Texas Beef Council


Victoria Heller

Senior Manager, Agriculture Communications & Education for the Texas Beef Council


Texas Beef Council

The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill and is a $1 per head assessment on the sale of cattle. It’s a national marketing and research program funded by America’s cattle farmers and ranchers. Cattle farmers, ranchers and importers direct the national checkoff program, which uses funds toward research and promotion efforts designed to increase domestic and/or international demand for beef. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board and USDA oversee the collection and spending of these beef checkoff funds. Texas cattlemen and women voted in a referendum in June 2014 to establish a state-level beef checkoff program to further support Checkoff activities in Texas. The Texas Beef Checkoff program is funded through a $1 per head assessment on the sale of cattle in Texas. The funds are managed in accordance with Texas law by a council of 20 cattle producers, known as the Beef Promotion and Research Council of Texas (BPRCT). TBC serves as a contractor to the BPRCT. Collections for this program started in October of 2014.

YouTube Texas Beef Coucil Presentation
June 15, 2020 11:30 a.m. Livestock’s Path to Climate Neutrality
Livestock’s Path to Climate Neutrality

Livestock can be part of a climate solution, while continuing to feed a growing population. This story runs counter to mainstream narratives, but if we look at how methane actually warms the planet, we can see clear paths to how animal agriculture can not only stop contributing to climate change, but also help mitigate other sources of greenhouse gases.

Dr. Frank Mitloehner from the University of California, Davis
Dr. Frank Mitloehner from the University of California, Davis

Dr. Ronald Gill is professor and Extension livestock specialist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. In addition, he serves as Associate Department Head and Program Leader for Extension animal science faculty. Gill continues to provide leadership in Extension programming related to animal well-being and low-stress livestock handling and assists in providing leadership to statewide programming efforts for Beef Safety and Quality Assurance programming. Other interests include beef cattle and equine nutritional management and value-added marketing. Gill is a member of the beef cattle and equine sections in the Department of Animal Science. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Angelo State University and his doctorate from Texas A&M University.

YouTube Climate Neutrality Presentation
June 22, 2020 11:30 a.m. Retail Meat in a COVID World
The New Normal in Retail Meat

How the outlook for beef and protein consumption and customer engagement changed in 60 days and how the industry is adapting now and planning for the future.

  • Brick and Mortar
  • E-Commerce
  • Consumer Awareness
  • Industry Advocacy
Matt Walters - Director of Meat Procurement for H-E-B Grocery
Matt Walters

Matt Walters is the Director of Meat Procurement for H-E-B Grocery with 27 years of experience in the Meat industry starting as a meat cutter. He has since had roles in store operations, regional leadership, manufacturing leadership and procurement.

YouTube Retail Beef in a COVID World
June 29, 2020 11:30 a.m. Eat Like A Butcher
Eat Like A Butcher

Join Chef Jess DeSham Timmons as she guides us through all things steak. Wood fire grilling, cast iron searing, seasoning, aging, and choosing the cuts that are exactly what you’re looking for. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to see your meal all the way from the hoof to your plate from someone that knows her way around a cutting room and a fire.

  • Meat selection (what you look for and what does it mean grass-fed, wet-age vs dry age, etc.)
  • What’s the different cut of steaks
  • Insight into preparation
  • Cooking & serving
Jess Desham Timmons – Cherry Block
Jess Desham Timmons

Jess DeSham Timmons is the Chef/Partner of Cherry Block Craft Butcher and Kitchen. She attended the Culinary Arts program at Art Institute of Houston, and her career in the restaurant industry has spanned over two decades as the former Corporate Operations Manager at Landry's, Inc., President of The Republic Country Club, Partner at The Caboose BBQ and Owner/Chef of Camellia Monday Consulting. She is also a founding Member and part of the Advisory Board of Foodways Texas, which is a group that is committed to preserve and record the history and rich culture of food in Texas. Jess and her husband Johnny have two young men, Cooper and Carson (Chile to those that know), that are avid competitors on the baseball field. When you don’t find her in the restaurant, she’s likely in the bleachers somewhere along the Gulf Coast.

YouTube -
July 6, 2020 11:30 a.m. Visual indicators to help you manage your cows
Visual indicators to help you manage your cows

How do I tell if my cows are getting adequate nutrition? Visual indicators to help you manage your cows.

  • A demonstration on how to body condition score cows and use it as a tool to manage nutrition. Nutrition has the greatest impact on breeding rates in cows and can affect the bottom line.

Dr. Jason Cleere – Texas A&M University
Dr. Jason Cleere

Dr. Jason Cleere is associate professor and Texas AgriLife Extension beef cattle specialist, stationed at Texas A&M University in College Station, where he develops and implements Extension educational programs to increase production efficiency and profitability of Texas beef cattle producers. He also serves as coordinator of the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, which attracts more than 1,400 participants to campus each August. He is also a faculty member of the beef cattle section in the Department of Animal Science.

YouTube Body Condition Nutrition
July 13, 2020 11:30 a.m. Mid-Year Cattle Market & Trade Policies Update
Mid-Year Cattle Market & Trade Policies Update

Midyear outlook of where we are in the cattle market cycle and what to expect on the horizon. Also, trade and policy issues have definitely been a hot topic over the last 4 months

Dr. David P Anderson – Texas A&M University
Dr. David P Anderson, Professor and Extension Economist & Livestock and Food Products Marketing

Dr. David Anderson is a Professor and Extension Economist in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University. His extension education and research activities are in livestock, and food products marketing and agricultural policy. He is the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Livestock and Food Products Marketing economist. Dr. Anderson’s program has focused research on livestock markets and the impact of alternative farm programs on the livestock, dairy and crop sectors of agriculture. Recent extension programs have focused on livestock market outlook and farm programs. He currently teaches Ag. Econ. 614 which is an applied policy analysis course, primarily for M.S. students. Dr. Anderson received two degrees in agricultural economics at the University of Arizona and earned a Ph.D. in agricultural economics at Texas A&M University. Prior to returning to Texas A&M in 1996, he was a livestock economist at the Livestock Marketing Information Center for two years. He has received awards for Professional Excellence from the American Agricultural Economics Association, the Outstanding Extension Program Award from the Western and Southern Agricultural Economics Associations, and the TAMU Deputy Chancellor’s Distinguished Performance Team Award for Research and Extension.

YouTube Cattle Market Adjustments
July 20, 2020 11:30 a.m. Beef, It’s What’s for School Lunch
Beef, It’s What’s for School Lunch

Discussion on how the nutrition in beef affects adolescent growth and how the industry can influence or increase consumption in our youth.

Dr. Randi Boleman
Dr. Randi Boleman – Assistant Director, Registered Dietitian, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics at Bryan ISD

Randi Boleman, PhD, RD, LD holds three degrees from Texas A&M University; a B.S. in Animal Science, and M.S and Ph.D. in Food Science. During her graduate work, her primary focus was in processed meats, and her thesis and dissertation on predicting beef tenderness. Randi has been a volunteer with HLSR for 21 years and currently serves as Chair of the Communications & Special Services committee.

YouTube Beef Presentation
July 27, 2020 11:30 a.m. What Happens After the Hide Comes Off?
What Happens After the Hide Comes Off?

After the conversion of a steer to a beef carcass, how is it further converted into beef for retail and foodservice? How much of what is actually produced? Davey Griffin will lead a discussion on beef grading, fabrication yields and how cuts are utilized by different segments of the retail and foodservice industries and how that has changed in the last few months.

Dr. Davey Griffin – Texas A&M University
Dr. Davey Griffin

Professor & Extension Meat Specialist, Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University
Dr. Davey Griffin is a professor, Extension meat specialist, and a member of the meat science section in the Department of Animal Science. After receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A&M University, he accepted employment with Oscar Mayer Foods Corp. in Madison, Wis. In this position he conducted special projects for the quality assurance division and as a sales and marketing specialist in Montgomery, Ala. Griffin returned to Texas A&M University to complete his doctorate, and coached the TAMU Meat Judging Teams in 1983, 1984 and 1986.

Griffin serves as a liaison between industry, commodity groups, medical and dietary professionals and Extension personnel to provide research information and technology. His key program and interest areas include cutability and composition of carcasses associated with value-based marketing, current consumer issues concerning meat and meat products, youth development and cooperative research projects.

Professional memberships include the American Meat Science Association, the American Society of Animal Science and Phi Tau Sigma. In 2003, Griffin was elected to the board of directors for the American Meat Science Association. He also received the 2003 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for his contributions as part of the Extension Beef 101 Team.

YouTube What Happens After the Hide Comes Off?
August 3, 2020 No Webinar, please go check out the Beef Cattle Short Course Course Link
August 10, 2020 11:30 a.m. A Year on the Ranch
A Year on the Ranch

This presentation will provide a brief description of the management strategies that occur on a ranch throughout a year using an example ranch set in East Texas. Four key management plans for the ranch will be discussed. Additionally, a month by month guide of what is going on for the example used will be presented.

  • Forage Management Plan
  • Breeding and Calving Season Plan
  • Herd health Plan
  • Marketing Plan

Dr. Jason P. Banta - Associate Professor and Extension Beef Cattle
Dr. Jason P. Banta

Associate Professor and Extension Beef Cattle

YouTube A year on a ranch PDF
August 17, 2020 11:30 a.m. Landowner Liability
Landowner Liability

For Texas agricultural landowners, it is always a concern as to what liability may arise if someone is injured on the landowner’s property. This session will discuss landowner liability and offer steps that rural landowners can take to protect their operations.

Tiffany Dowell Lashmet - Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Agricultural Law
Tiffany Dowell Lashmet

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist in Agricultural Law
Tiffany’s focus is on providing legal information to Texans involved in the agricultural industry. Her primary focus includes landowner liability, agricultural leases, water law, estate planning, eminent domain, and Right to Farm issues.

YouTube Landowner Liability
August 24, 2020 11:30 a.m. Video Plant Tours: Sam Kane & Cargill/Plainview
Video Plant Tours: Sam Kane & Cargill/Plainview

Dr. Davey Griffin – Texas A&M University YouTube -
August 31, 2020 11:30 a.m. Cattle Industry Issues Roundtable Discussion
Cattle Industry Issues Roundtable Discussion

Roundtable discussion of Cattle Industry issues with leaders from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Discussion will be lead by Kelley Sullivan Georgiades.

Discussion Leader Roundtable Members
  • Collin Woodall – CEO, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  • Ross Wilson – President & CEO, Texas Cattle Feeders Association
  • Jason Skaggs – EVP & CEO, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Panel
Discussion Leader Roundtable Members
  • Collin Woodall – CEO, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
  • Ross Wilson – President & CEO, Texas Cattle Feeders Association
  • Jason Skaggs – EVP & CEO, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
YouTube -

2019

DATE TOPIC SPEAKER(S) TOUR SITE VIDEOS PHOTOS RESOURCES
May 18, 2019 H Calf Short Course
  1. Jason Cook & Berry Summerour
  2. Colton Hoffman, rancher and attorney
  3. Linda Galayda aka “Texas Rancher Girl”
  4. Plateau Land & Wildlife Management, Clay Whitfill
  5. Capital Farm Credit
NRG Center 600 Series Cattle 101
Agricultural Lending
Alternative Land Uses
Business and Legal
Ranch Records
View
June 8, 2019 Briggs Ranch Tour Briggs Ranches Personnel Briggs Ranch Watch View  
July 27, 2019 Beckendorf Ranch Tour Arlie Beckendorf Beckendorf Ranch – Tomball, TX Watch Coming Soon
September 28, 2019 Genetics and Sexing Dr. Jim McGrann and Luke Bradford ST Genetics in Navasota, TX Watch View

2018

DATE TOPIC SPEAKER(S) TOUR SITE VIDEOS PHOTOS RESOURCES
May 5, 2018 Program Intro and Cattle Marketing Mike Arnold – Superior Livestock N/A Watch View  
June 9, 2018 Breeds and Sire Selection Dr. Larry Boleman – Texas A&M University J.D. Hudgins Inc. – Hungerford, TX Watch View
August 25, 2018 Livestock Nutrition Dr. Harry Anderson – Total Feeds Graham Land and Cattle – Gonzales, TX Watch View
October 27, 2018 Health & Cattle Handling Dr. Jason Cleere – Texas A&M University Scarmardo Cattle Co. – Caldwell, TX Watch
Watch Q&A
View


CONTACT

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo®
NRG Center
3 NRG Park
Houston, Texas 77054

Email: hcalf@rodeohouston.com
Phone: 832.667.1195