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.
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