On the Road Again –Just Can’t Wait to Get on the Road Again…

from Georgia Cattleman Magazine March 2023

A DIFFERENT KIND OF FISH Monthly Devotional

The UGA Beef Team travels throughout the state to provide educational opportunities.

By Lawton Stewart, Professor and Extension Coordinator, Animal Science Department, UGA

The University of Georgia Beef Team is made up of specialists from multiple departments and colleges within the university. With Extension appointments, the “fun” part of our job is getting out with our clientele and delivering up-to-date information that will help them improve production and ultimately increase profitability. These programs are delivered in different formats; but the most impactful format remains face-to-face programs where we can interact directly with the county agents, beef producers, and the general public. Examples of these programs include: the Master Cattlemen’s Program; the Tifton, Athens and Calhoun short courses; Beef Quality Assurance trainings; the Sunbelt Ag Expo; local Cattlemen’s and Livestock Associations; various workshops; and many more. All of these programs require Team members to travel, some extensively, in order to present these programs in parts of the state that make them available to all of our cattle producers. The challenge, however, consists in the diminishing funds available through the university for specialists and agents to travel. Operating budgets to travel for these programs are minimal or non-existent, especially for team members not housed in a department directly associated with the beef cattle industry. Fortunately, with funding provided through the Agricultural Commodity Commission for Beef, all of our beef programs are going strong and continue to be available throughout the state. Below are a few examples of programs.

One program, specifically, that brings together expertise from all of our Beef Team is the Master Cattlemen’s Program (Table 1). This is a program where cattlemen and cattlewomen meet for two hours, once a week, over an eight-week period to get in-depth training on more than 10 topics related to improving production. Once they complete the program, participants receive a certification. Evaluations have indicated tremendous impact on participants’ knowledge, with the average rating across topics being 4.5 or greater (1 indicates no impact; 5 indicates very strong impact). The program is offered twice a year and rotates among the four Extension districts in Georgia (Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest). In 2022, the program was hosted in Emanuel and Carrol Counties and was attended by 115 participants. The program is currently being hosted in Lee County and will rotate to the Northeast district in the fall.

Each year, a short course is hosted in Athens, Tifton and Calhoun. The goal of these short courses is to provide up-to-date, research-based information that is pertinent to the beef cattle producers in that area. The programs are presented by a combination of speakers from UGA Extension, industry, and other universities and programs from around the country. The ACCB funding helps bring in the guest speakers. In 2022, more than 250 participants attended the short courses.

Additionally, our team puts together a hands-on Beef and Forage School for county Extension agents each year. The goal is to give new agents, and agents with a limited background in beef cattle and forage production, an opportunity to learn basic skills to help them serve clientele in their respective counties. In 2022, a two-day training was held at the Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center in Floyd County. Participants gained experience working cattle, collecting blood samples, working with the dystocia simulator, testing hay and reading a forage report, adjusting hay equipment, and sprayer/drill calibration.

Finally, the team conducted educational programs at numerous local and regional events throughout Georgia. We are always open to new opportunities and avenues whereby we can help beef cattle producers. If you are interested in participating in any of our events, or need production help at your operation, please contact your local Extension office (extension.uga.edu; 1-800-ASK-UGA-1).

Châtel Farms is now purchasing Angus sired, high carcass merit feeder cattle that have never received antibiotics or added hormones. Our desire is to build long term relationships with innovative cattlemen looking to join us in transforming the cattle industry in the Southeast.