2019 Cover Photo Contest winner - Holly Jones, Linn, MO
The premier educational event for livestock producers is going virtual this year!
We'll have educational events from December through February via Zoom, pre-recorded sessions, and Facebook Live!
We hope you'll join us on this educational journey.
Missouri Livestock Symposium
Thank you
2020 Program Sponsors
2019 Program Highlights
“2020 has provided challenges on many levels and the 21st annual Missouri Livestock Symposium will adapt to meet those challenges,” says Garry Mathes, chairman of the committee.
As the committee met to discuss planning the 2020 Symposium, the tough decision to move from a traditional in-person event to a virtual platform was not made lightly, Mathes stated. “Everyone would prefer an in-person event, however due to the ongoing concerns for public health, we have made the difficult decision to offer free virtual educational resources in 2020.” Mathes added, “it would have been easier to cancel the event entirely, but the committee is dedicated to addressing the challenges of Missouri farmers and ranchers as we have for the last two decades.”
Zac Erwin, MU Extension Livestock Specialist and Symposium vice-chair, says, “In the face of uncertainty we look for opportunity. The program this year will undoubtedly look different, but the focus on providing Missouri livestock producers with the best ideas and information will remain,” says Erwin. Moving to a virtual platform gives us the potential to interact with a whole new clientele that may not make the annual trip to Kirksville.
The 2020 Missouri Livestock Symposium will feature nationally known speakers on a variety of topics. Some of the speakers will be live Zoom presentations giving the audience the opportunity to interact and others will be pre-recorded presentations. “Think of it as more of a winter educational series this year,” said Erwin. These educational resources will be available starting in December and run through February.
The Missouri Livestock Symposium is planning a virtual agricultural trade show. “Many of our sponsors are sticking with us and we want to give them due credit for their support,” says Mathes.