Animal welfare is one of the fastest growing concerns among consumers throughout the country, according to Dr. Dan Thomson, a Kansas State University veterinarian and expert on the impact of beef cattle production practices on cattle well-being and health.

The Beef Cattle Institute at K-State will conduct an International Symposium

on Beef Cattle Welfare, May 28-30, on the K-State campus.

"The symposium is designed to provide a venue in which all stakeholders in beef cattle production can meet and discuss the many welfare-related topics concerning the raising, feeding and harvesting of beef cattle," Thomson said.

Speakers at the symposium will include producers, ethologists, nutritionists and veterinarians who will address current welfare-related issues facing the beef industry. The speaker list also includes people in policy-making positions within the federal government, professional societies and industry commodity groups.

"The most important function of the symposium will be to provide a venue in which science-based recommendations for food-animal management can be conveyed to policy makers, veterinarians and producers," said KC Olson, associate professor of animal sciences and industry at K-State.

Researchers, beef producers and veterinarians from around the globe will discuss current scientific findings and future research needs for beef cattle behavior and welfare.

"We, as an industry, continue to look for ways to educate ourselves for better ways to take care of animals. We try to find new ways to reduce stress and ways to improve the animal husbandry we are using at the current time," said Wade Taylor, a veterinarian with Oakley Veterinary Services, Oakley, Kan.

"This is a subject that evokes a range of strong emotions and opinions, but one that must be addressed by the beef industry," Thomson said. "Other production industries are being forced by consumer-driven demands to address various animal welfare issues of current production practices. Scientists and producers agree that we need to work on resolving welfare-related issues quickly, effectively and honestly."

More information on the symposium, including how to register, is available at .

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