The problem

History has demonstrated that recommended agriculture practices that are new and are a change from the norm do not happen at a high rate among adult producers. Therefore, educating our youth with this recommended research based practices carries over in to their farming operations when they become adults.

The educational program response

Students learned the process of synchronizing cattle to shorten a breeding season and to get a higher percentage of calves in the first one-third of the calving season. They also learned the importance of pregnancy checking and got a chance to sleeve a cow to practice. Students were taught how to Body Condition Score cow in order to develop a nutrition program better for them. They, also, were taught about animal evaluation and how animal selection is important in genetic improvements as well as longevity of a herd. Both ag teachers raved about the quality and importance of the type of experience this was for their students.

The participants/target audience

Fifty three high school ag class students attended

Other partners (if applicable)

This ANR agent collaborated with the two county ag teachers and a local beef producer to host a mini beef field day for high school student interested in animal science.

Program impact or participant response.

One hundred percent of the teenagers indicated this was a worthwhile activity and will be helpful in their classroom work as well as on the farm at home.