Our Tennessee Beef Heifer Development Program Field Day will be held on Thursday, May 21, 2026 in conjunction with our Third Annual UT Bred Heifer Sale on Friday, May 22, 2026. We are looking forward to seeing you again at our event this year! More information on our Tennessee Beef Heifer Development Program is also available on this link.
Event Schedule:
Pre-registration is $15 (Day 1)
Students are FREE
Day 2 (sale day) – FREE and open to the public
Hosted by UT Extension, UT AgResearch and UT Beef and Forage Center
Day 1 – May 21, 2026
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Registration, vendors, and Heifer judging contest viewing.
8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Opening remarks: Kevin Thompson, Director, Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center.
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Alternative to Fescue Production During Downslope: Dr. Renata Nave Oakes, Professor, Department of Plant Sciences. Director, University of Tennessee.
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Should I Retain My Heifer?: Dr. David Bilderback, Extension Specialist II, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee.
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Phenotyping Evaluation of Heifers: Kevin Thompson, Director, Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center.
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Vendors and lunch (provided).
12:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch Speaker: Zane Troxtel, Ag Range Specialist at Greenpoint AG
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Current Market Trends & Outlook Considerations: Dr. Charley Martinez, Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Tennessee
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Reproductive Management of Heifers: Dr. Saulo Zoca, Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science and UT Extension Beef Cattle Specialist in Reproductive Management, University of Tennessee.
Enter the Heifer judging contest, and the winner(s) will be entered into a drawing for prizes.
Downloadable Program Schedule Now Available!
Event Location
Photos:
Questions?
Reach out to the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center by phone at 931-270-2240.
Reminder:
We look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s event! Details from our 2025 Tennessee Beef Heifer Development Program Field Day are still available here.
