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The TAMU Beef Cattle Short Course has a rich tradition and historical place in the programs emanating from the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University. Dating back as far as 1942, Professor John K. Riggs started the first in a series of Beef Cattle Short Courses held on the campus of Texas A&M College to discuss the results of beef cattle research from the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station with Texas beef producers. This historical beginning and purpose is still the standard today for the Beef Cattle Short Course held at Texas A&M University. |
| Since its inception, 51 beef short courses have been held on an annual basis except during the World War II years and a few years in the 1980s when the short courses were replaced with more targeted and disciplined subject matter and audiences. Professor Riggs chaired the short courses through the 1950s. Then, State Beef Cattle Specialist, L. A. Maddox, Jr., took over and chaired through the late 1960s. John R. Beverly, Extension Animal Reproduction Specialist, began conducting the program when Dr. O. D. Butler, then Head of the Animal Science Department, thought it would be best to have a joint specie meeting in the new Rudder Tower Complex, and called it the Animal Agriculture Conference in the early 1970s. Prior conferences were held in the Memorial Student Center Ballroom before having to move to the Ramada Inn until the Rudder Tower Complex opened. |
| With the name change, and the time of year for the meeting changed to January, the beef cattle producer participation began to decline. Although the beef program for the Animal Agriculture Conference was well-defined and exceptionally well-planned, the beef participation continued to decline to the point where the conference suffered and the Animal Agriculture Conference concept was abandoned. |
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More directed beef subject matter (e.g. meat science, reproduction, nutrition, breeds, etc.) conferences took its place during the late 1980s, but never had the appeal across the board to producers that attended the original Beef Cattle Short Courses, traditionally held in August. In 1990, Animal Science Department Head Dr. Gary C. Smith, asked Dr. Larry Boleman, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, to take over the planning and implementation to revive the traditional Beef Cattle Short Course. |
| Dr. Boleman used his Extension planning experiences and approach to involve as many people from all beef-related agencies, organizations, and associations to help plan the re-make of the historically popular and traditional Beef Cattle Short Course. In the first year (1991), 350 participants attended, with 700 attendees the following year, and then 850 attended, breaking all previous existing records. The first two of these meetings were held in the Kleberg Center and because of the huge crowds, the meetings were moved to Rudder Theater and Auditorium. |
| In 1994, 1,100 beef cattle producers attended, and its popularity spread across the United States and internationally, with an all time high attendance of 2,000 participants in 1995. Since that year, the average attendance has held around 1,200 annually through 2004, even with the declining numbers of Texas beef cattle producers. Dr. Boleman still serves as Conference Director and Dr. Jason Cleere, Assistant Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, has become the Conference Program Coordinator. |
| Today, the highly respected TAMU Beef Cattle Short Course is nationally and internationally recognized as the largest attended beef cattle educational program of its type in the world. It has gained the respect from all organizations, associations, Land Grant Universities, and agencies alike as the focal point for beef cattle educational information. |
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Over 100 agri-related businesses and trade show exhibitors annually attend the course and attest to the fact that it is the most highly attended activity of its type anywhere in the United States. The entire TAMU System supports this activity with the TAMU Chancellors and Presidents often attending the Prime Rib Dinner. |
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Dr. Jason Cleere - Conference Coordinator |