Jeff Lehmkuhler (chair), Maggie Ginn (temp associate/coordinator), Katie VanValin (committee/speaker), Amanda Gumbert (committee), Whitney Carman (committee/speaker), Morgan Hayes (committee/speaker), Daniel Carpenter (committee), Robbie Smith (committee), Greg Halich (committee/speaker)

The 2^nd Managing Beef Cattle in Confinement conference was held at the Hardin County Extension office on December 14, 2023.  Nearly a decade had passed from the previous conference to this conference with frequent questions coming to agents/specialists on this subject.  A working committee comprised of specialists and agents met to discuss and plan topics as well as identify potential speakers for the conference.  Topics covered at the conference included challenges and opportunities of moving to confinement, managing nutrient resources, facility options and considerations, economic considerations, and a virtual tour of three confinement beef facilities from the state.  The program had a total of 59 participants from across the commonwealth.  A post-program evaluation tool was used to collect participant feedback.  A total of 29 evaluations were completed (49% response rate).  Using a 5-point Likert scale, participants were asked their knowledge before and after the program.  Average knowledge level before the program for all topics ranged between 2.4 to 2.8 while after the attending the program average knowledge level ranged between 3.8 to 4.4.  The usefulness of information presented for their operation averaged 4.3.   Additionally, when asked if the information was presented at an understandable level, the average response was 4.7 out of 5.  Based on the evaluations, the program was very successful in raising participants knowledge and awareness of managing beef cattle in confinement.  Participants that completed the survey managed on average 244 head of cattle.  When asked about participants’ perspective of managing cattle in confinement after the program, one participant indicated their perspective was negative, 14 neutral, and 12 were positive.  Participants indicated changes they intended to make after the program included the following: creep area, converting dairy free-stall barn, avoid mixing cows with feeder cattle, better ability to plan new facilities, better ability to advise producers, raising feeder calves in confinement, more attention to appropriate square footage, confining cows during calving, better use of bedding, better understanding of the economics, and will not build a facility for cow-calf.   Overall, the 2023 Managing Beef Cattle in Confinement conference was a success.

Counties represented based on evaluations (11):  Nelson, Monroe, Daviess, Washington, Franklin, Grant, Clinton, Crittendon, Marion, Henry, Hart