How One Educational Program Sparked the Creation of Two More by Participant Demand, Boosting Efficiency and Expanding Reach
Animal Science
Laura Bennett
Multi-County Livestock Agent
UF/IFAS Extension
Dade City
Abstract
Background: A program of the South Florida Beef Forage Program is Cattle Management for Women. Women, who are taking a greater role in management of beef cattle operations, tend to not ask questions in large seminar situations. After participants attended one of these educational events, they realized its value. The exact program was then requested for a Florida Cattlewomen’s Quarterly meeting and was used for a Ranching Foundations program. Objectives: This program included timely information on beef cattle management. Creating an environment where participants felt they could ask about their own specific experiences was a priority in development of the program. Participants were instructed on foundational best management practices. Knowledge gain, behavior change, and economic impacts were measured. Methods: Livestock Agents created a day-long event with stations that participants rotated through. The participants were divided into smaller groups for these rotations which created an environment where they felt more comfortable asking questions. Topics included newborn calf care, heifer development, cow nutrition, bull breeding soundness exams, and legalities of selling beef. The rotations included demonstrations or hands-on activities giving a broad overview of management. Results: A spouse of one of the participants requested the program for both men and women. Additionally, a Florida Cattlewomen’s board member requested a repeat of the program at a quarterly meeting. As a result, over 110 people attended the 3 events. Participants manage more than 18,000 head of cattle and 40,000 acres of land. Ninety percent (99 of 110) of participants indicated they would adopt at least one best management practice learned at the program. Fifty percent (55 of 110) indicated an average expected increase in profitability of 8%. Conclusion: Collaboration among Extension faculty and allied industry partners creates partnerships that can extend stakeholder reach beyond one program event without development of more instructional components.
Authors: Laura Bennett, Christa Kirby, Bridget Stice, Allie Williams
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Laura Bennett Multi-County Livestock Agent, UF/IFAS Pasco County, Florida, 33525
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Christa Kirby Livestock Agent, UF/IFAS Manatee County, Florida, 34221
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Bridget Stice Livestock Agent, UF/IFAS Polk County, Florida, 33831
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Allie Williams Small Farms Agent, UF/IFAS Hillsborough, Florida, 33584