Market outlook, risk management strategies and more to be highlighted at winter cow-calf meetings

Jaime Luke<lukejaim@msu.edu>, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics - January 23, 2026

Register now to attend MSU Extension’s winter cow-calf meetings taking place across the state in February and March 2026.

A long line of beef cattle stands and grazes across a snow-covered field in winter, with leafless trees in the background and a snow-dusted hillside rising behind the tree line under a pale sky. — Photo by K-State Research and Extension, CC BY 2.0

Each production year brings new challenges and opportunities for the Michigan cow-calf sector. Michigan State University Extension’s winter cow-calf meetings provide a forum for producers to stay informed on management, markets and emerging issues that can impact profitability and long-term operational success.

This year’s cow-calf meetings will include a beef market outlook, updates on the Livestock Risk Protection program, and information on the effects of Maternal Bovine Appeasing Substance and genetic selection for carcass characteristics.

All meetings will begin at 6 p.m. EST:

February 17: Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District, 4041 E. Mannsiding Rd., Clare, MI
February 24: Saginaw Valley Research & Extension Center, 3775 S. Reese Rd., Frankenmuth, MI
February 26: Rudyard Township Hall, 18725 S. Mackinac Trail, Rudyard, MI
March 24: Baraga Lakeside Inn, 900 US-41, Baraga, MI
March 25: Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, E3774 University Dr., Chatham, MI

The meetings are sponsored by Merck Animal Health, with pizza and soft drinks provided for attendees. Registration is required. For the Upper Peninsula locations, please contact the Ontonagon County MSU Extension Office at 906-884-4386 or email farleyb2@msu.edu. For the Lower Peninsula locations, please contact the Gladwin County MSU Extension Office at 989-426-7741 or email msue.gladwin@msu.edu.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).