Livestock and forage: a year in review by Mario Villarino

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Livestock and forage production are a $3.96 billion dollars industry in the Central Region. Livestock  and forage  enterprises  are affected  by climate  and market variability. Hopkins County currently has more than 100,000 head of cattle with 27,000 head of dairy cattle. Due to environmental  requirements  of federal and state authorities, Hopkins County dairy operators must maintain environmental requirements for operation.

This plan collaborated  with dairy (Dairy Farmers of America, Southwest  Dairy Museum) and  beef  organizations     (NETBIO) to determine    and  conduct educational  efforts needed for the successful  operation  of livestock  farms and ranches. This plan had the goal of providing educational experiences to 350 beef producers, 150 private applicators , 60 dairy producers  and 60 landowner  seeking private applicator accreditation.

The plan included the following activities:

• Hopkins-Rains Hay Show (with Soil Conservation Board).
• Saltillo Hay Show (with Saltillo FFA).
• Field Day for Producers and Grasslands Managers (20 Participants).
• 4 New Pesticide Applicators Trainings (quarterly).
• Cattle Trail in Beef Day (76 Participants).
• Dairy Outreach Fall Conference (13 Participants).
• Pesticide Private Applicator CEU (82 Participants).
• 34 press releases (digital and printed media).
• Result Demonstration in pre-conditioning of beef cattle.
• 1,255 Telephone consultations.
• 357 Site visits.

Evaluation  Strategy

Retrospective post evaluation surveys were utilized to measure knowledge gain

and adoptions of best practices for the evaluated programs.

• 100% (76/76) participants completed the evaluation for the Cattle Trail.
• 100% (13/13) participants completed the evaluation for the Dairy

Outreach Fall Conference.

• 95% (19/20) participants completed the evaluation survey for Field Day for Producers and Grasslands Managers.
• 85% (70/82) participants completed the evaluation survey for Pesticide

Private Applicator CEU Results 2021 Field Day for Producers and Grasslands Managers

• 95% (18/19) indicated an economic benefit of managing grasslands.
• 90% (17/19) learned the role of pastures for upland birds.
• 79% (15/19) indicated an environmental benefit for managing grasslands.
• 74% (14/19) Indicated increase learning in rotational grazing.
• 72% (13/19) learned proper water management in grasslands.
• 72% (13/19) learned new methods of grass utilization.

2021 Cattle Trail

•  99% (75/76) have a better understanding of the value of beef ranchers in their daily life.
• 97% (74/76) have a better understanding of the path beef takes to get to the consumer’s plate.

2021 Dairy Outreach Fall Conference

• 92% (12/13) indicated an increase in understanding on at least one program item.
• 85% (11/13) indicated an increase in understanding of fly control in manure.
• 85% (11/13) indicated an increased in understanding the importance of beef on dairy to improve value of calves.
• 69% (9/13) indicated an increase in understanding of manure management technology.
• 78% (7/9) indicated intention to adopt fly control strategies in dairy systems.
• 73% (8/11) indicated intention to adopt practices to improve the value of calves.
• 67% (6/9) indicated intention to adopt environmental stewardship practices.
• 62% (8/11) indicated intention to adopt manure management strategies.

2021 Pesticide Private Applicator CEU

• 87% (52/70) learned the biology and control of armyworms (38% knowledge increase).
• 85% (51/70) learned better ways to calibrate a sprayer (40% knowledge increase).
• 82% (50/70) learned the impact of soil fertility in herbicide treatment programs (38% knowledge increase).
• 80% (49/70) learned the history of integrated pest management (36% knowledge increase).
• 70% (42/70) learned new laws and regulations (28% knowledge increase).

For more information about these or any programs, contact Dr.  Mario  Villarino, CEA Ag/NR at Hopkins County 903-885-3443 m-villarino@tamu.edu

Contributed by Mario Villarino

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