By Landee Kieschnick
TFB Communications Intern

Texas ranchers know firsthand the struggles that come with raising a herd.

An opportunity to share some of those trials and tribulations will be presented at this year’s International Livestock Congress (ILC) held during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

ILC attracts world leaders from the livestock and meat sectors—ranchers, farmers, students, educators, policy makers, researchers and government offices alike–together to discuss issues of international importance that affect the future of animal agriculture.

“Water is our main focus,” Michael J. Fields, chair 2017 International Livestock Congress planning committee, said. “The current state of the world’s groundwater will be covered, along with trends and acts of possible interventions to bring to the water gap.”

Keynote speakers will address the broad societal concerns about water, new technology and efficiency in livestock production.

“We need a risk mitigation strategy. Talking about the success stories of managing under harsh conditions, how we conserve water and what continues to sustain livestock production really shows the resilience of the industry,” Fields said.

Lack of water can also have a profound effect on the infrastructure of the meat processing sector, Fields noted, adding that one of our very own Lone Star State slaughter plants closed due to shortage of cattle, which was amid a shortage in water.

“We’re bringing in more people with expertise in more cattle-producing areas. Producers can use this in their particular operation whether it’s on a ranch, in a university or administration of the government,” Fields said.

The second part of the congress will talk about the importance of animal source food in human development.

“For the rancher, we’re talking about beef and the role it plays in the development of a young child’s brain. We will also discuss the need for animal-sourced foods for elderly because they are faced with muscle mass loss,” he said.

This year’s congress theme is “Balancing Livestock and Water Use for Sustainable Nutrition.”

Representatives from the Australian Agriculture Company, International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya, World Health Organization and leaders from the Livestock Global Alliance will be in attendance to seam opinions about the livestock industry moving forward.

The two-day event will be March 8-9 and partners with the International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.