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OSU COW/CALF BOOT CAMP

Extension Education

JJ Jones
Area Agricultural Economics Specialist
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
ADA

Abstract

~~In Oklahoma the beef cattle industry generates annual gross revenues of $3.58 billion with an inventory of 1.8 million head and 55,000 producers. Oklahoma ranks third in the U.S. in beef cattle numbers. The challenge for extension is coming up with innovative and engaging methods to provide unbiased researched information to these producers.


In 2011 the Oklahoma Cow/Calf Boot Camp was created. The objectives of this camp were to create a workshop where producers could learn management and production practices that would help make their operations successful.
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\r\nThe goal was to provide lots of information over a wide range of topics. Topics needed to cover all aspects of cattle production such as forages and record keeping not just cattle. Knowledge areas covered were castration, dehorning, cattle ID, cattle handling, hay evaluation, feeding options, cow body condition scoring, internal and external parasite control, reproduction efficiency, bull selection, calving seasons, cow efficiency, marketing, calving management, health and vaccination programs, forage production, nutrition, farm business planning, livestock mortality disposal, facilities, fencing, selecting replacements, culling management, aging cows and brush control. By completing the boot camp producers would become Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified.


Since 2011 four boot camps have been held with a total attendance of 193 producers from six states. Participants were asked to do a pre/post test and evaluation. Results from the tests and evaluations indicate there was an increase in knowledge gained of 28.4% and a total perceived value of knowledge gained $885,166.

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

A poster file has not been provided

Authors: J. Jones, B. Freking, C. Rice, E. Ward, B Pugh
  1. Jones, J. Area Agricultural Economics Specialist, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma, 74820
  2. Freking, B. Area Livestock Specialist, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma, 74820
  3. Rice, C. Area Agronomist, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma, 74820
  4. Ward, E. Area Livestock Specialist, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma, 74401
  5. Pugh, B. Area Agronomist, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma, 74401