Describe the Issue or Situation.  Cattle farmers in the winter and spring have issues with nutrition, calving deliveries, magnesium and calcium deficiencies.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).  My knowledge of nutrition for the small cattle herds in Wayne County helps them with their herds feed needs along with managing cattle health problems. By having on farm visits with farmers I was able to look and recommend different solutions for their cattles needs.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience. I help several farmers with their beef cattle minerals needs; a balanced mineral program for the different seasons for the year.

 Because of calving during the late winter and early spring some calves are born at 10 degree or colder temperatures. Three calves were born on these conditions and on Sunday's and I helped get the calves dried off and gave them their first colostrum. The calves were unable to nurse a bottle or stand up, so I helped the farmer tube feed the calves and found them a home. One calf was adopted by a different farmer that had time to bottle feed the calf. The other two were placed back with their mothers and were able to get strong enough to nurse their mother's. All three are still surviving.

I helped one farmer who's cow was down and couldn't get up; she appeared to be suffering from milk fever or a calcium deficiency and needed some calcium gluconate. I helped the farmer contact a vet assistant and he administered  the calcium to her through her side. Within three hours she was up drinking and eating on her on will. She survived and had a calf 6 weeks later, the cow and calf are doing excellent.

I helped assist with two calving difficulties this spring with cows; one was a heifer and her calf was to large for her to have without assistance, and the other was a breeched birth calf. Neither of those calves survived, but both mothers have survived until a decision is made on whither to take them to the market.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach. By having the knowledge and the capabilities to assist farmers with their beef cow herds, I think I have helped them save thousands of dollars through nutritional and health problems that arise in small farmers beef cattle herds. The Small Farm Extension Program allows me to be there when problems arise and assist them with information that can help them in their time of need.