The problem

For years now our beef cattle health recommendations have been centered around proper handling facilities. For over one year now this ANR agent has worked with a beef producer that needed help designing and building a good working facilities for his 30 cow herd. We developed a plan and budget as well as developed this into an educational activity for anyone with the same scenario. Meade County has over 150 small beef cattle herds-most do not have proper handling facilities. Without proper working facilities, cattle do not receive the recommended health care and are not getting pregnancy check. 

The educational program response

After designing a few working/building days were scheduled where anyone could attend to learn the process of designing and hand building a good facilities. Also, those attending learned proper dimensions of lots and alleyways, as well as how the design helps with animal flow for less stress to the cattle. At completion of the design/build, Beef Quality Care and Assurance certification was held with 34 in attendance.

The participants/target audience

The target audience are those farmers with cattle or are thinking about raising cattle.  This program is especially important for those that do not have a handling facility or need to re design and upgrade their existing one.

Other partners (if applicable)

University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Beef Specialist and the local feed and hardware store helped in the training and material donations.

Program impact or participant response.

Most participants indicated it was very beneficial to see and understand the design to help lower animal stress. Since then one participant has built a facility of his own and this ANR agent is working with another on a design.