Success StorySoutheast Backgrounding Short Course
Southeast Backgrounding Short Course
Author: Jeffrey Lehmkuhler
Planning Unit: Animal and Food Sciences
Major Program: Beef
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
The Southeast Backgrounding Short Course was held May 13 and 14, 2025 at the University of Kentucky C. Oran Little Research Station. A total of 23 individuals pre-registered for the program and an additional five youth attended for a partial day. The two-day program offered more than 17 hours of instruction on backgrounding management of beef cattle. A post-program evaluation was provided for each of the two days the program was hosted. A total of 13 and 14 surveys were returned for Day 1 and Day 2, respectively. Based on participant feedback using a 5-point Likert scale, the overall usefulness of the program to their beef management was 4.6 to 4.7 where 1 was not useful and 5 was very useful. Knowledge level after the program for the topics taught increased between 1.4 and 2.6 points on a 5-point scale suggesting that participants increased their understanding of the subject matter. When asked about their likelihood of making management changes based on the information presented, 69% and 50% of respondents indicated either Definitely Making or Very Likely to make changes. To estimate the value of the program to the beef operations represented, participants were given ranges between $0 to greater than $5,000 per head potential increase in value based on knowledge gained. The average reported value was $1688/hd for Day 1 and $2,047/hd for Day 2 suggesting that the participants believe the program would have an economic impact. Overall, the program was a great success resulting in increased knowledge with management changes likely to occur leading to increased financial sustainability of operations backgrounding beef cattle.
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