Cattle producers and those interested in the cattle industry will find a day's worth of informative and useful seminars at the Livestock Farm Update, Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Elks Hall.

This is the second annual Livestock Update, hosted by Weyburn extension agrologist Elaine Moats.

Bob Wolfe of Sask. Ag and Food will kick off the day's presentations talking about what market signals cow/calf producers should be watching for. Wolfe is a farm management specialist.

The beef chair of the University of Saskatchewan, John McKinnon, will go over the basic thumb rules for feeding the cow herd in his presentation, as well as alternate feed sources like screenings or oat hulls in an attempt to make backgrounding feeder cattle more profitable.

Colgate producer Janet Ledingham will go over the Canadian Cattle Identification Program. From the 1920s to 1985 producers were required to identify individual cattle with ear tags, but with the elimination of brucellosis this program was discontinued. A new program has now been set up as an insurance against future health and safety concerns.

Ledingham will also provide some insight on how to deal with the coyote problem that has been plaguing producers lately, by sharing what she did with the coyotes on her land.

Miles Anderson of Red Coat Cattle Feeders will share his experience in building a 10,000-head feedlot near Hazenmore. Their grand opening will take place later this winter.

Duane Thompson's seminar is titled "The Cow/Calf Industry as I See It." Thompson farms with his dad near Kelliher. Their operation has grown from a cow herd sized to fit their PFRA pasture allocation to a 350-head herd. This enthusiastic cattle producer was one of the judges for the Commercial Feeder Show at Agribition.

The final speaker of the day will be Weyburn veterinarian Dr. Gary Hoium, who will share his insights about some of the diseases to be aware of in cow/calf herds.

Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the program will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with a served lunch.

Ticket prices are $15 for those who pre-register by Friday, Dec. 8, and $20 for late registrations. That price includes the lunch.

Registration forms can be obtained by phoning Elaine Moats, Extension Agrologist, at Weyburn's Rural Service Centre. Moats is listed under Extension Agrologist in the blue pages.