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BEEF EXCELLENCE EDUCATION FOR YOU

Animal Science

Lisa Kriese-Anderson
EXTENSION SPECIALIST & PROFESSOR
ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM
AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Since 2008, approximately 300 youth from Alabama and Florida have participated in the Beef Excellence Education for You (B.E.E.F. U) program. Since Alabama has no feeding or packing industry, it is essential producers have educational opportunities to learn how their calves fit the U.S. Beef Industry. B.E.E.F. U teaches children ages 8 to 18 lessons on beef cattle, beef carcass quality, how breeding programs impact beef carcass quality and meat science. Participants rotate through multiple sessions regarding live animals, carcasses and further processing. Sessions include live cattle terminology, beef conformation, feeder calf basics, and fed cattle evaluation as well as beef carcass terminology and carcass evaluation. Further processing stations teach participants how to make kielbasa, a beef and pork sausage. Participants learn which ingredients to use when making the sausage, how to prepare the meat and ingredients, and then have the opportunity to put the sausage meat into a casing. Auburn University’s Animal Sciences department host B.E.E.F. U on campus at the Stanley Wilson Beef Teaching Unit, Auburn Bull Test Station, and Lambert-Powell Meats Laboratory. Programs are facilitated by Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) specialists, Auburn Animal Sciences departmental faculty, and Auburn Animal Sciences graduate and undergraduate students. Participants rated B.E.E.F. U as outstanding using a likert scale. Most participants (n=99%) indicated they would attend another B.E.E.F. U program. Over the past 3 years, 63.7% of participants have returned the next year. In 2010, clicker technology was also introduced to make lecture sessions more interactive, which participants embraced rapidly. Authors: Ebert, R.A., Stanford, M.K., Kriese-Anderson, L. A., Elmore, J.B. , Colquitt, R.W.
  1. Ebert, R.A. Extension Animal Scientist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 36849
  2. Stanford, M.K. Extension Specialist, Nutrient Management, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 35962
  3. Kriese-Anderson, L. A. Extension Specialist & Professor, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 36849
  4. Elmore, J.B. Agriculture and Natural Resources Advisor III, Auburn University, Alabama, 35055
  5. Colquitt, R.W. County Extension Coordinator, Shelby County, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 35051