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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2025 - Jun 30, 2026


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.