Cattle producers take principles and practices taught in extension workshops and make application on the farm.   Comprehension and application of those changes impact the prices they receive for their products.  A drastic disparity has developed as producers have made application of practices without understanding implications on their commodity. An effort to draw market correlations was developed and implemented by the Extension Agent for Agriculture in Grant Counties.  The agent coordinated with a local veterinarian and hosted a Breeding Soundness Evaluation for herd sires.  Producers were attended a series of educational sessions on nutrition, evaluation and selection strategies for herd sires.  

Through participation in the programs producers understand that by having this procedure performed on their breeding sires that they are partially insuring the farm's production crop for the following year.  

In 2019, 37 herd sires that have been tested for duty this year were expected to cover 1480 breeding females.   Based on current calf prices of $800 per head the potential loss for the county's beef producers was $1,184,000.00.   Five of the animals tested were not considered duty fit as a result the farmer can replace these animals and know that they will get their females bred and ensure the returns of a calf crop in 2020. A follow-up assessment was completed by the producers completing the series and examination.  Participants reported that 100% would make informed choices as to the size of their cattle production enterprise from information presented.  Additionally, 85% had implemented at least one of the principles discussed in their choices for selecting a herd sire.    Respondents also indicated a greater need for marketing opportunities for utilizing similar genetics.   All participants indicated that they will continue to have bulls examined and vaccinated prior to the breeding season.