2026 Krutsinger Beef Industry Scholars Summit
December 9, 2026
held in conjunction with Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and Trade Show
Younes Conference Center South in Kearney, Nebraska
2026 Nebraska Beef Summit Agenda (Draft)
- 8:00 a.m. – Registration & Networking
- 8:15 a.m. – Welcome
8:30 a.m.
Autonomous Feed Trucks
Jacob Hansen, CEO & Co-Founder, ALA Engineering
9:00 a.m.
Increasing Survival and Profitability by Mitigating the Risk of Heart Failure in Beef Cattle
Dr. Dustin Petrik, Lab Director & Co-Founder, Bullseye GX
9:30 a.m.
Determining the Right Mineral Program
Dr. Mary Drewnoski, Beef Systems Extension Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
10:00 a.m. – Break
10:15 a.m.
Positioned for Expansion: Heifer Development Strategies for Improved Retention
Dr. Shelby Rosasco, Assistant Professor and Extension Beef Specialist, University of Wyoming
11:15 a.m.
Economics and Market Outlook for Heifer Retention
Dr. Tyler Cozzens, Director and Agricultural Economist, Livestock Marketing Information Center
12:15 p.m.
BQA Update
Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, Director, Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance
12:30 p.m. – Lunch
1:15 p.m.
The Nuts and Bolts of Generational Transition Planning for Ag Professionals
Pamela Epp Olsen, Pamela Epp Olsen Law, PC, LLO
2:15 p.m.
Bovine Theileriosis and the Asian Longhorned Tick: An Update for Nebraska Producers
Dr. Matt Hille, Associate Professor, Diagnostic Pathologist, and Extension Beef Veterinarian, Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center
3:00 p.m. – Break
3:15 p.m.
Where Does the Growth Stop? Strategic Insights into the Trend of Continually Heavier Finishing Weights
Dr. Ty Lawrence, Professor of Animal Science and Director of the Beef Carcass Research Center, West Texas A&M University
4:15 p.m.
Why Exports Are Critical to the U.S. Beef Supply Chain
Dan Halstrom, President & CEO, U.S. Meat Export Federation
5:15 p.m. – Summit Wrap-Up