ORONO – Improving the quality and value of feeder calves will be the focus of the 16th annual Maine Beef Conference. Focus on Feeder Calves will be held Dec. 6 at the Ramada Inn in Bangor.

Presenters from Virginia, Vermont and Maine will discuss programs to improve feeder calf quality and market factors at the national and state levels. More information about the conference is available from Ken Andries, livestock specialist, at (800) 287-7170 within Maine or (207) 581-2789 outside of Maine.

Bill McKinnon of the Virginia Cattleman’s Association will be the keynote speaker. McKinnon has worked with feeder calf sales in Virginia for many years as the extension livestock marketing specialist for Virginia Tech. He helped to develop the Virginia Retained Ownership Program and the Virginia Quality Assured Feeder Cattle Program. He works for the Virginia Cattleman’s Association as a fieldsman and is closely involved with their feeder cattle marketing programs.

McKinnon will open the program with “The Virginia Experience,” which describes feeder calf sales. It will look at key elements of a successful program. His second presentation will focus on the national situation and the factors that affect the national marketplace and how they affect local markets. It also will provide information on how to capitalize on national trends and improve the marketability of calves in the current market.

Norman Vincel will be the second speaker. He works for Select Sire Power Inc. in Virginia as the director of marketing. His background is in sire selection and utilization of genetics to meet specific targets. His presentation, “Selecting the Right Genetics for Your Herd,” will provide more information on the use of specific tools to improve the quality of animals in a breeding program.

Paul Saenger will discuss a producer’s perspective of feeder calves. He runs a feedlot in Vermont and has purchased many calves from Maine and other New England states.