FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 5, 2007
For more information contact:

Scott Keith
Livestock and Forage Program Manager
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.259.3274

Tom Lacock
Senior Marketing and Public Relations Specialist
Wyoming Business Council
Office: 307.777.2834

Wyoming Winter Ag Expo comes to Douglas in January

CHEYENNE - The Wyoming Business Council’s Agribusiness Division and the University of Wyoming’s Department of Animal Science have organized the inaugural Wyoming Winter Ag Expo to be held Jan. 22-23 at the Beef Pavilion on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds in Douglas.

The event has been organized to attract specifically farmers and ranchers in the cattle and hay industries. Among the attractions for cattle ranchers include 30 different cattle exhibitors with over 100 head of cattle on display, including range-ready cattle, seed stock and commercial heifers, as well as multiple breeds.

Eight livestock equipment exhibitors will show off everything from cattle handling systems to feeding systems and commercial booths will feature genetics, pharmaceutical, feed and other livestock-related displays.

“This expo is an opportunity for producers to see many different kinds of cattle breeds from a lot of breeders who don’t usually show in this area,” said Wyoming Business Council Livestock and Forage Program Manager Scott Keith.

Those interested in hay production can walk the halls of the Beef Pavilion and see 10 exhibits and another 25 commercial booths related to irrigation, hay processing systems, fertilizer and seed. Organizers of the Winter Ag Expo have also set up seminars covering topics such as alfalfa planting techniques, crop rotation, hay marketing and a presentation by Chris Creech of Charles T. Creech Inc., a nationally-known hay broker who supplies many of Kentucky’s legendary thoroughbred racing stables.

The cattle and hay show is open to the general public at no cost Monday, Jan. 22 from noon-6 p.m. at the Beef Pavilion at the Wyoming State Fairgrounds. Tuesday, Jan. 23 the doors will be open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Seminars will run from 1-4 p.m. on Monday and 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Monday night will also feature a recognition banquet with multiple organizations recognizing their producers at the banquet. Presenting organizations include the Wyoming Angus Association, the Wyoming Hereford Association, the Wyoming Beef Cattle Improvement Association, the Wyoming Hay Producers and the Wyoming Beef Council.

Social hour for the banquet is at 6:30 p.m. at McKibben Cafeteria with a prime rib supper being served at 7 p.m. Attendance at the banquet is by advanced tickets sales only. For tickets, contact Peggy at the Wyoming State Fair at 307-358-2398, or Scott Keith at 307-259-3274. Banquet ticket sales deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 16. Tickets cost $25 per person.

The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org.

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