An upcoming agriculture conference will look at how to entice younger Wyomingites to work in ranching.
This year’s Wyoming Cattle Industry Convention is titled Educating for Ranching Success in the 21st Century. The average age of a U.S. rancher today is 57. Wyoming Stockgrower’s Association Vice President Jim Magagna would like to see that number go down.
“A lot of our focus in recent years has been bringing young people into our industry,” he says. “We hear so much about the average age of ranchers creeping up. And so we really want to make it attractive for young people to be engaged in our industry.”
Magagna says the best way to do that is to teach young people how to make ranching profitable. Consultant Dave Pratt will provide ideas for that in one session.
Another will discuss making ranching more profitable by using innovative science.
“A relatively new concept that will be discussed and that is using DNA as a tool for cattle selection in a way that can increase profitability,” Magagna says.
Others speakers at the conference will include the new University of Wyoming president, Laurie Nichols, who grew up in ranching.
The conference takes place in Laramie June 1st - 4th at the UW Conference Center Hilton Garden Inn. Magagna says people can register in advance or at the door.
