Author: Matthew Chadwick
Planning Unit: Calloway County CES
Major Program: Beef
Plan of Work: 2021 Beef Cattle Production
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
In conjunction with our county Cattlemen's Association, Marshall and McCracken ANR Agents and Adult Agriculture Program we hosted a Heifer Development program for producers in our region. Heifer Development has become a profitable niche market for producers with high quality genetics wanting to capitalize on the investment of purchasing said genetics. In addition we have several producers interested in developing heifers for their own operation to reduce the need for additional capital investments.
However, it is a long term investment to develop quality bred heifers to market as private treat or in a bred heifer sale. This multi-station meeting was designed to help producers understand the true cost of developing a heifer, the steps of initial evaluation, and the final evaluation (internally) that one must utilize to cull out unacceptable breeding stock. We utilized multiple beef cattle specialist, a local multi-generation seed stock producer and a product development specialist from Tarter to talk about the facilities needed to perform these health checks.
With over 80 producers in attendance we had individuals of all knowledge levels so the quantity and quality of questions at each station allowed for several very good conversations between the specialist and other producers about what works and what doesn’t and why. Several producers commented that the information presented was the most valuable information they have ever received at an extension program. One producer noted that knowing the simplicity of basic pelvic measurements and tail head bleeding would save his farm thousands of dollars each year on vet bills alone.
For the past year I have had the pleasure of assisting several of our key stakeholders in feeling co... Read More
This past August Calloway County extension assisted state specialist, state NRCS and conservation di... Read More
For the past year I have had the pleasure of assisting several of our key stakeholders in feeling co... Read More
This past August Calloway County extension assisted state specialist, state NRCS and conservation di... Read More