Committee Technical Sessions
Producer Applications
Delivering Specialized Education to Seedstock Producers
BOZEMAN, Mont. (June 3, 2011) — The 2011 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Research Symposium and Annual Meeting concluded Friday afternoon in Bozeman, Mont., following the afternoon’s technical sessions. Michelle Elmore of Auburn University presented to the Advancement in Producer Applications committee, chaired by Jane Parish of Mississippi State University.
As secretary of the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (Alabama BCIA) and extension animal scientist at Auburn University, Elmore has played an active role in the development of the Alabama BCIA Seedstock Continuing Education Program. The idea for a program to educate seedstock producers was conceived in 2008 during a period of transition within the Alabama BCIA. A committee was formed shortly thereafter and the program was debuted in February 2009.
The purpose of the program is to provide specialized education and resources for seedstock producers in Alabama. It provides established producers with the knowledge and skills to improve the aspects of their business and provides a foundation for those cattle producers interested in establishing a seedstock operation. Any producer, regardless of herd size or breed, can utilize it.
Traditional classroom instruction, hands-on demonstrations, an audience response system, and electronic and hard-copy educational materials are all utilized in the program.
The Alabama BCIA Seedstock Continuing Educational Program Manual represents the bulk of the educational materials provided to participants. The manual, which is available both electronically and in hard copy, is divided into eight sections, which cover the following topics:
- Introduction from leaders in the Alabama seedstock industry
- Business goal setting
- Marketing and market positioning
- Physical aspects and carcass data
- Expected progeny differences (EPDs) and performance data
- Management
- Reproduction
- Health
In order to reach as many producers as possible, the Alabama BCIA constructed a database built from 12 national breed association membership directories. Promotional materials for the program were sent to 646 seedstock producers in the state. The first events, two regional field days, were held in the fall of 2009 on seedstock operations in northeast and central Alabama.
In 2010, a program advisory board was created to survey and gather feedback on the prior two events. Based on those results, a statewide field day was held in July at the Auburn University Beef Teaching Unit.
Program events thus far have allowed seedstock producers to build strong relationships with Auburn University instructors, beef cattle industry professionals and other seedstock producers. The events have provided networking opportunities that reach across breed lines. To date, 106 Alabama seedstock producers have attended Alabama BCIA program events.
At both the regional and statewide field days, educational evaluations were provided to the attendees who asked a variety of questions on both their operations and their thoughts and concerns on the educational curriculum of the event.
When asked if the education presented at the 2009 and 2010 events was applicable, all attendees said “yes.” All attendees also made note that they would recommend the program to a friend or fellow seedstock producer.
The Alabama BCIA Seedstock Continuing Education Program Manual and resources are available online at www.albcia.com. Auburn University will serve as host to a second annual statewide field day on July 30.
To listen to this presentation and to view the PowerPoint and the proceedings paper that accompanied it, visit the Newsroom at www.BIFconference.com.
BIF’s 43rd Annual Research Symposium and Annual Meeting was hosted June 1-4 on campus at Montana State University, Bozeman, Mont.
Editor’s Note: This summary was written under contract or by staff of Angus Productions Inc. (API). Through an agreement with the Beef Improvement Federation, we are encouraging reprinting of the articles to those who will adhere to the reprint guidelines available on this site. Please review those guidelines or contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at 816-383-5270. PowerPoints are posted with permission of the presenter and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the presenter.
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