The Wilderness Trail Area ANR agents developed a series of hands-on beef programs over the last year, including marketing, predator control, reproduction, and beef quality assurance. The most recent program was a collaboration between specialists and agents called the Bull Value Assessment Program. This is a two-week program where producers learn how to read EPDs of bulls and apply them to real-world situations in the first week. In the second week, they are given a cattle management scenario and a catalog of bulls. Producers then have a chance to buy bulls at a mock auction and are graded to determine how the value of the bull bought compares to their scenario. This program was very well received by producers and agents had several producers express the value of the program to them

The evaluation shows that seventy-two percent of attendees stated this program would help with their next bull purchase. Eighty-six percent of attendees gave a 5 of 5 on sessions one and two content and helpfulness. The overall rating of the program was 89%, giving a 5 of 5 rating to the program. Some of the written comments said that this program was very helpful with the next bull purchase, and it was absolutely worth the time to attend the class. Overall this program was a great success.

These programs have been very well received by producers and will continue to be offered in this type of setting.