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Impact Report

For plan Profitable Livestock Production (Roosevelt County)
Date October 31, 2011, 7:23 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report Profitable Livestock Production – This agent assists a local cow/calf producer each year artificially inseminate his cows in hopes of improving his genetics and herd performance. This program has been a valuable tool for the producer and aids in improving his profitability. This agent was also asked to help the Curry County agent with a Reproductive Physiology Workshop at the Farm Bureau Summer meeting. This agent presented information on Range Management – Due to the severe drought this year conditions were primed for high fire danger and multiple fire did occur. Over 100,000 acres of Roosevelt County did burn this year. This agent in conjunction with the Curry County agent hosted a informational meeting with various government and private entities. The meeting saw 20 producers from various locations impacted by fire attend. The purpose of this meeting was to provide information to growers on how to deal with the fire damage and what if any recourse was available in private or government assistance. 100% of those that were in attendance left with the information necessary to effectively make management decisions. As the drought has intensified over the course of the summer, the lack of forage resources and high feed costs have begun to severely impact producers at numerous levels. This agent hosted a drought management workshop in mid-August to assist producers in making management decisions regarding their land and cattle. Twenty produers from this area participated in seminars on drought awareness and management, hay and forage management and, cattle nutrition and herd management. All in attendance said the program provided useful information that would help them make decisions in the coming months. This agent has been involved with 4-H livestock projects since starting with Extension eight years ago and has served as an instructor at 4-H Livestock School for the past 7 years. This agent feels well informed and intelligent young people are the next generation of producers and business owners. This agent firmly believes that assisting young people with livestock projects provides them with the fundamental skills to be better prepared for life. Decision making is a critical skill for young people to learn and making the right decisions can forever change the direction of their life. This agent feels 50% of those in attendance will make the right choice when faced with a dilemma in their life because of their involvement with this program. Long term these individuals will make a greater impact on society and their personal sustainability because of involvement with 4-H livestock projects. This agent along with two 4-H parents began a hands-on beef production project in Roosevelt County in the spring of 2005. The program was started as an alternative to the traditional show steer project. Cattle are weighed in the spring and again at the fair to determine average daily gain. Steers are ultrasounded to determine backfat and ribeye area and that data is added to a grid formula which determines total carcass profitability. The steers are also evaluated by a three member panel of cattlemen from around the state to determine their acceptability in the cattle feeding sector. New in 2008 was the addition of a written test about the beef industry given to project participants. All of these components are added together in an index to determine an overall winner. The program has included forty-two steers and eleven different youth over the past four years. 25% of the youth that have been involved in the project have learned about the importance of managing cattle on feed. To be successful in the project, cattle have to excel in all areas of the program. Through involvement in this program youth have learned more about basic animal nutrition, animal selection, and the cattle feeding industry. This program has proved to be a successful alternative to the show ring while providing practical real world experiences. This agent has been contacted by several agents from across New Mexico that are interested in the program and feels it provides more relevance to the beef project.