Author: Ted Johnson
Planning Unit: Lee County CES
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Plan of Work: Beef Production
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
We at the Lee County Extension Office have worked with 7 producers for the past 7 years developing off-the-farm beef sales. We have educated producers on cross breeding, feed rations, price structuring, grazing systems, incorporating clovers and lespedeza into pastures, and marketing off the farm beef. The goal was to sell more local beef and increase our local food supply. This goal was to also keep more of our money local. We have worked with five producers at this point of the program, and they are now selling over 45 head of cattle off the farm ready for slaughter. They have reported that they profit around two hundred and fifty more dollars per head than compared to the traditional market system. This project returns around $18,000.00 more to the community and the farmers as opposed to the traditional beef market system. Not only does it put more money in the pockets of beef producers, but the consumers have also saved around a dollar per pound as opposed to purchasing it from a local retailer. Resulting in around $31,500.00 saved by the consumers. The total savings or profit for the project is around $42,500.00.
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