Topeka ? Two Kansas ranchers and an official from the state Commerce Department are heading to Russia to help promote U.S. cattle.

The Kansans are joining representatives of Colorado and Montana on a trade mission that begins Saturday and ends Oct. 12.

The Kansas Department of Commerce is sending agriculture specialist J.J. Jones. Traveling with him are ranchers Mark Rohr, of Hays, and Daniel Mushrush, of Strong City.

The group will meet with beef producers and tour farms in Russia and discuss U.S. cattle genetics. They also expect to attend a livestock exhibition.