Success StoryBeef Seedstock Symposium is the First Step in Improving Kentucky's Beef Industry
Beef Seedstock Symposium is the First Step in Improving Kentucky's Beef Industry
Author: Kevin Bullock
Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences
Major Program: Beef
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The Kentucky Beef Extension Group conducts numerous educational programs across the state on a multitude of topics which are primarily targeted at commercial cow/calf and stocker producers. Because management on a seedstock operation can be drastically different in some areas it was decided to conduct an educational program targeted to beef seedstock producers. Through funding from the Kentucky Ag Development fund, through the Kentucky Beef Network, an educational program was developed and delivered in two regions of Kentucky (Lexington and Glasgow). Topics that were addressed were: History of Selection, Proper Use of Expected Progeny Differences (EPD), Genomic Testing, Bull Development and Nutritional Management, Bull Breeding Soundness Exams, Proper Use of Economic Selection Indexes and Bull Sale Marketing Strategies. This program was a collaboration between the University of Kentucky Beef Extension Group and the Beef Extension Group at the University of Tennessee, and we were able to bring in a nationally recognized beef geneticist, Dr. Matt Spangler, from the University of Nebraska. Approximately 50 beef seedstock producers participated in the educational event. When asked on a survey “How would you rate the value of the program? (1= Waste of money and time; 5= Should be a good return on investment)” the average response was 4.5. When measuring knowledge gained across all topics there was a 1.1 (scale of 5) improvement. The comments from the survey confirmed that seedstock producers needed this specialized educational program and were appreciative of the delivery. When considering that all genetic improvement in the beef industry starts with the seedstock segment it is critical to equip these producers with the knowledge necessary to maximize their efforts.
Stories by Kevin Bullock
Reaching Out While Locked In Beef Webinar Series
When the Extension offices were shut down due to the COVID19 pandemic, the beef Extension group deci... Read More
Reaching Out While Locked In (ROWLI) Beef Webinar Series Research Updates
Even with some lessening of restrictions on meeting the beef Extension group decided to continue ROW... Read More
Stories by Animal and Food Sciences
Development and delivery of training for ANR agents related to alternatives to distillers’ grains in beef cattle diets.
In response to the shutdown resulting from the spread of COVID-19, the team of Beef extension specia... Read More
Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Feedlot (PVAP-FEEDLOT)
Post Weaning Value-Added Program – Feedlot (PVAP-FEEDLOT)The Post Weaning Valued Added Program - Fee... Read More
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment