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Profitable Livestock Production (Torrance County)

Plan Goal

Improve the profitability of livestock production by enhancing decision-making skills and providing research-based best practices to livestock owners and managers in Torrance County.

Situation Statement

With a combination of drought, high fuel prices and high ranch related supply prices, it is difficult for Torrance County livestock producers to operate with continuous profit. The livestock industry in Torrance County has the largest agricultural impact. Ranches and farms total over 1.2 million acres. The ranches range in size from 50 acres to 100 sections. Livestock enterprises range from stocker-yearling grazing calves to cow-calf operations. There are lamb and sheep operations primarily in the SE corner of the county. Cash receipts of all livestock total more than $38,000,000. Extension related programs are valued highly among the ranching community.

Target Audience and Actions

The target audience is composed of producers within Torrance County that raise anywhere from 5 to more than 1,000 head of livestock on an annual basis. In order to meet the educational needs of all livestock producers regardless of operation size, county-wide educational efforts will be conducted. Statewide and regional programs available to local producers will include the Cattle Grower’s Short Course, Southwest Beef Symposium, Cattlemen’s College, and Cow-calf Standardized Performance Analysis programs. Program activities will target audiences that include all cultural sectors and geographical areas of the county.

Short-Term Objectives

Increase awareness of research-based management practices and knowledge of current issues by 20% for county livestock producers through educational programs and direct communications. Compile and distribute a newsletter for producers in the county to disseminate information, announce county, district and state programs and advertise extension publications.

Medium-Term Objectives

Improve decision-making skills of 25 livestock producers through educational programs/dispersed information. Torrance County livestock operations will improve profitability by following management recommendations made at workshops and through publications. 10 producers will successfully complete the BQA program. 5 producers will market cattle through new avenues.

Long-Term Objectives

Increase the total numbers of producers whose operation can remain profitable by improving management practices/decision-making skills.

Evaluation Plan

Personal communication via phone calls and producer visits by maintaining a communication log. Random questioning of advisory committee. Direct feedback through the observation of changes in management of producers' ranches and cattle. An exit survey for county educational programs will be devised to capture producer perception of both the monetary value of information and improvement in decision-making skills.