Beef production continues to grow in our county and our educational outreach grows alongside.  The 2017 Ag Census indicated that our numbers of beef cattle remain around 45,000, which is equal to our human population.  In 2019-20 we continued some programs intended to help improve forages on the farm.  I felt that knowing the forage quality on the farm is important enough that I began an on-farm sample effort.  This involves me going to the farm, pulling the samples for the farmer, and then sending them to the lab for testing.  Once the sample information returns recommendations are made as to the quality of the hay and to whom it should be fed.  Also, in an effort to better prepare our beef community we invited several specialists to discuss topics of concern at the time.  Dr.  Jeff Lehmkuhler discussed cattle nutrition and distillery by-products.   Dr. Les Anderson discussed how to optimize the herd with a shortened calving season.   Dr. Darah Bullock discussed Beef cattle genetics and the importance of cross-breeding. Over 300  individuals received face to face educational training on topics related to their beef operation and more than 800 receive our Ag newsletter that is heavily dedicated to our second leading ag commodity.