Dear Sector Representatives,
Animal production sector is highly dynamic in recent years. Thus, this sector is foreseen that to gain stability and become more industrialized. Unfortunately, there is lack of information about beef cattle production and nutrition management in middle east (especially in Turkey) and this gap needs to be filled. Briefly, there are nearly 10 million cattle population in Turkey and main breeds are dairy breeds especially Holstein. As a result of this, beef cattle industry is dominated by dairy breed bulls and steers. Even insufficient information about beef cattle production, carcass merit and feeding strategies, there is an increasing beef meat consumption trend in parallel to increasing population. In consequence of summarized reasons, we are organizing a beef cattle symposium. This symposium will be held in Antalya/Turkey on 08-11 May 2014. Anticipated participant profile is consisted of academics, veterinarians, beef cattle producers, feed factories, technical stuff and public policy makers. There will be speakers who are experienced in beef cattle production.
Main topics are
- Diseases of beef cattle
- Beef cattle nutrition
- Effects of nutrition on carcass quality
- Beef cattle management practices
- Reproduction in beef breeds
In addition to these topics, there will be a panel discussion about Turkey’s beef cattle industry’s problems.
In conclusion this symposium is expected to bring a new perspective to the diseases and production/management systems of beef cattle industry in Turkey. Symposium report will be also published. Industry delegates’ participation and contributions are important for this symposium to achieve the stated purposes.
Sincerely
Prof. Dr. Hakan BIRICIK
Chairman of Symposium
