Schedule of Events

The following is a tentative schedule for the 2009 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting April 30-May 3.

Wednesday, April 29th
	10 a.m.-6 p.m.	Registration, Sheraton Grand

Thursday, April 30th
	6 a.m.-6 p.m.	Registration, Sheraton Grand
	7 a.m.-4 p.m.	East Tour: Foothill bovines, equines and fine wines
	1 p.m.-6 p.m.	BIF Board Meeting, Sheraton Grand
	5 p.m.-7 p.m.	Reception, Sheraton Grand
	7 p.m.-9 p.m.	NAAB Symposium, Sheraton Grand Understanding the Estrous Cycle and Fundamentals of Artificial Insemination, Bill Beal, reproductive physiologist, Virginia Tech The Best-Kept Secret in the Commercial Cattle Business, Herb Holzapfel, California producer

Friday, May 1st
	6 a.m.-6 p.m.	Registration
	6:30 a.m.-8 a.m.	Continental Breakfast
	9 a.m.-4 p.m.	Spouse Tour:Sacramento Highlights Excursion
	8 a.m.	General Session: "Is There Gold in Those Genomes?" moderated by Alison Van Eenennaam, Sheraton Grand Welcome, Mary Delany, chair, Animal Science Department, University of California-Davis How Can We Best Use DNA Data in Selection of Cattle? Mike Goddard, chief scientist, Beef CRC, Australia Prospects for Genome-Wide Selection in Beef Cattle, Jerry Taylor, Wurdack Chair in Animal Sciences, University of Missouri The Nature and Scope of Some Whole-genome Analyses in U.S. Beef Cattle, Dorian Garrick, Lush Chair in Animal Breeding & Genetics, Iowa State University
	10 a.m.	Break
	10:30 a.m.	Continue General Session: Feedlot Marker-Assisted Management, Bill Kolath, Cargill Meat Solutions Breed and Breeder Adaptation to Genome-Enhanced/Enabled Selection Information, Kent Anderson, U.S. Beef Breeds Council Q&A Panel, Goddard, Taylor, Garrick, Kolath, Anderson Wrap-up, Dorrian Garrick
	Noon	Buffet Lunch and Awards Presentation, Sheraton Grand
	2 p.m.-5:30 p.m.	Concurrent Technical Keynote Sessions, Convention Center (1) Advancements in Emerging Technologies, Selection Decisions. Click here for agenda. (2) Advancements in Live Animal, Carcass and End Point. Click here for agenda.
	6 p.m.	Bus Transport to Railroad Museum
	6:30 p.m.	Winetasting and Reception
	7:30 p.m.	Railroad Museum Dinner

Saturday, May 2nd
	6 a.m.-noon	Registration
	6 a.m.-8 a.m.	Continental Breakfast
	8 a.m.	General Session: "Panning for Efficiency," Sheraton Grand
		Beef Production in the New Era of Higher Prices and Higher Costs: Do the Old Rules Apply? John Lawrence, agricultural economist, Iowa State University Fitting Cows to Your Operation, Harvey Freetly, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Is There a Biological Basis for Genetic Variation in Feed Efficiency? Gordon Carstens, Texas A&M University Crossbreeding: Back to the Future, Dave Daley, California State University-Chico
	9:45 a.m.	Break
	10:15 a.m.	Feedlot Perspective on Efficiency, Mike Smith, Harris Ranch System Perspective on Efficiency, Chip Ramsey, Rex Ranch
	11:30 a.m.	BIF Business Meeting and Elections
	Noon	BIF Luncheon and Awards Presentations
	2 p.m.-5:30 p.m.	Concurrent Technical Keynote Sessions, Convention Center (3) Advancements in Cow Herd Efficiency. Click here for agenda. (4) Advancements in Genetic Prediction. Click here for agenda. (5) Advancements in Producer Application. Click here for agenda.
	5:30 p.m.	BIF Board Meeting
	5:30 p.m.	Evening on your own

	Sunday, May 3rd
	7 a.m.-5 p.m.	West Tour: Ocean, wines, views and bovines

Schedule of Events

Wednesday, April 29th

Thursday, April 30th

Friday, May 1st

Saturday, May 2nd

Sunday, May 3rd