RANCHING & WILDLIFE H.CALF
About
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.
BECOMING A PARTICIPANT
For more information about participating please email [email protected]
PARTICIPANT BENEFITS
Lectures by top agricultural experts
Library of additional resources by topics
Network with fellow Ranching & Wildlife H Calf Participants
DOCUMENTS
2025 documents coming soon.
RANCHING & WILDLIFE H CALF PROGRAM COSTS
- Enrollment for 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
Past Programs
2024
| DATE | LOCATION | EVENT | SPEAKERS | TOPIC(S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 10, 2024 | Karbach Brewing | BBQU | Dr. Davey Griffin from the Texas A&M Meat Science Department | An intensive look at the traditions and practices of Texas barbeque as well as the science behind the food including meat selection, trimming, seasoning, and cooking methods. All focused this year on proper cooking methods for steak, ribs and chicken. |
2023
| DATE | TOUR SITE | TOPIC(S) | PHOTOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 22, 2023 | R-C Ranch & R-C Ranch Butcher Shop | We learned about R-C Ranch’s beef program. Along with breeding and raising quality Wagyu genetics, R-C Ranch saw a need in building a locally branded farm to table beef program for safe high-quality meat delivered direct from the source. After we tour the ranch, we then went to visit the R-C Ranch Butcher Shop at the famous Houston Farmer’s Market for some Texas craft meats demonstrations and a Wagyu beef lunch next door at Wild Oats. | |
| August 7 – 9, 2023 | TAMU Beef Cattle Short Course | Our program encourages everyone to attend the annual Beef Cattle Short Course at Texas A&M University each year in August. We are lucky enough that Texas A&M also hosts a dinner for our participants each year. | |
| August 12, 2023 | H Calf BBQU | We again met at Karbach Brewery to discuss the history of Texas barbeque. It is an opportunity to learn the science behind the food, and a rare chance to experience a short course on meat selection, trimming, seasoning, and cooking methods. We’d learn about the anatomy and grading of beef, as well as the science behind muscle fibers and how the low and slow cooking process successfully impacts the finished product. Special guests include scientists and pitmasters. |
2022
| DATE | TIME | TOPIC(S) | SPEAKER(S) | PHOTOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 Beef Cattle Industry Terminology, Ranching Basics Explained, and Fundamental Meat Overview | DR. RON GILL from Texas A&M University | YouTube | Dr. Ron Gill – Beef 101 Presentation |
| June 8, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. | 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 | YouTube | Texas Beef Coucil Presentation |
| June 15, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. | 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 | YouTube | Climate Neutrality Presentation |
| June 22, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. | Retail Meat in a COVID World 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. Topics include: Brick and Mortar, E-Commerce, Consumer Awareness, Industry Advocacy | MATT WALTERS – Director of Meat Procurement for H-E-B Grocery | YouTube | Retail Beef in a COVID World |
| June 29, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. | 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. Topics include: 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, and Cooking & serving | JESS DESHAM TIMMONS – Cherry Block | YouTube | – |
| July 6, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. | 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 | YouTube | Body Condition Nutrition |
| July 13, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. | 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 | YouTube | Cattle Market Adjustments |
| July 20, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. | 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 | YouTube | Beef Presentation |
| July 27, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. | 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 | 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 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. Topics include: Forage Management Plan, Breeding and Calving Season Plan, Herd health Plan, and Marketing Plan | 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 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 | YouTube | Landowner Liability |
| August 24, 2020 | 11:30 a.m. | 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 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
| YouTube | – |
2019
| DATE | TOPIC | SPEAKER(S) | TOUR SITE | VIDEOS | PHOTOS | RESOURCES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 18, 2019 | H Calf Short Course |
| NRG Center 600 Series | | 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 | ||
| 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 | | View |
CONTACT US
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
NRG Center
3 NRG Park
Houston, Texas 77054
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 832.667.1195
CONNECT
Join the conversation on the Ranching and Wildlife H Calf Facebook page. The Facebook page showcases updates, photos, and discussions.