AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES) — New cattle producers will want to attend the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s new Beef Systems Short Course. The short course is a multi-night lecture series covering the fundamentals of beef production. It is geared toward new and limited experience producers.
Kim Mullenix, an Alabama Extension beef specialist, says producers have the option to take the course at different locations around the state. The first set of classes are in August at the Chilton Research and Extension Center in Clanton. These are regional meetings, and producers should select the location and dates most convenient for them. In addition to the six sites currently scheduled, producers can look for one in the Wiregrass later this year.
Over four nights, producers will learn how to run a profitable beef production. There is a $40 registration fee, and all participants will receive a copy of Extension’s recently updated Alabama Beef Handbook.
“Extension animal scientists developed a concentrated curriculum that is most vital for new cattle producers to master,” Mullenix said. “The course will be taught by Extension regional animal science agents over the next year at a variety of locations across the state.
Topics Covered
- Forages and Nutrition
- Herd Health and Reproduction
- Record Keeping and Environmental Stewardship
- Economics and Meat Science
Session Locations
- Chilton County
- Date and Time: Aug. 13, Aug. 15, Aug. 20 and Aug. 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Chilton County Regional Research and Extension Center, Clanton
- Contact: Josh Elmore, Extension regional animal science agent, at Elmorjb@aces.edu or 205-646-3610.
- Learn more and register online.
- Dekalb County
- Dates: Sept. 17, Sept. 19, Sept. 23 and Sept. 25 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Sand Mountain Research and Extension Center, Crossville
- Contact: Landon Marks, Extension regional animal science agent, at mlm0013@auburn.edu or (256) 706-0032
- Learn more and register online.
- Franklin County
- Date and Time: Sept. 24, Sept. 26, Oct. 1 and Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: A.W. Todd Center, Russellville
- Contact: Paul Vining, Extension regional animal science agent, at tpv0001@aces.edu or (256) 214-9630
- Learn more.
- Blount County
- Dates; Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 8 and Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Blount County Extension office, Oneonta
- Contact: Gerry Thompson, Extension regional animal science agent, at thompgl@aces.edu or (256) 508-2020
- Learn more and register online.
- Tallapoosa County
- Dates: Oct. 15, Oct. 22, Oct. 29 and Nov. 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Tallapoosa County Extension office, Dadeville
- Contact: Alex Tigue, Extension regional animal science agent, at dat0002@auburn.edu or (256) 309-9496
- Learn more.
- Mobile County
- Dates: Oct. 29, Oct. 30, Nov. 5 and Nov. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Location: Mobile County Extension office, Mobile
- Contact: Kelly Palmer, Extension regional animal science agent at ridleka@auburn.edu or (334) 329-0514
The Beef Systems Short Course equips beginning livestock producers with the skills needed to manage a beef operation effectively.
“The recently released Census of Agriculture shows Alabama has a large number of new farmers,” said Paul Brown, Extension associate director. “Almost 11,000 Alabama farmers have less than five years of farm experience. That’s almost 17 percent of the state’s more than 64,000 producers. Extension programs such as the Beef Systems Short Course are crucial to assist new farmers to establish successful and sustainable operations.”