By David Davis

Clark County Extension

Over the years, the master cattleman program has benefitted many Clark County beef producers.

When taking a drive, you may have noticed the master cattleman farm signs posted on farm gates around the county indicating producers that have completed the program. Master Cattleman is a Kentucky Beef Network program funded by the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board. It has been developed and is delivered by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.

It consists of 10 sessions of two and a half to three hours focused on different aspects of beef production and the beef industry. Sessions include management skills, forages, nutrition, facilities and animal behavior, environmental stewardship and industry issues, genetics, reproduction, herd health, beef end product, marketing and profitability.

The program is designed to enhance profitability of beef operations by equipping producers with vital information. It provides participants with a ready reference on the 10 educational sessions and introduces them to several different record-keeping programs. One of the greatest benefits of participating in the program is that producers have the opportunity to network with specialists, facilitators, and other beef producers.

Participants must attend eight of the 10 sessions and complete Beef Quality Assurance Certification to be certified. Any beef producer or person involved with the beef industry can participate. Those that complete the program will receive reference materials covered during the sessions, a master cattleman farm gate sign, and will be eligible to participate in other educational programs offered through the University of Kentucky for which this program is a pre-requisite.

The Clark, Montgomery, Menifee, Estill, Powell and Madison county extension services will be offering the 2017 Eastern Bluegrass Master Cattleman program March through May, with up to one session being conducted each week. Sessions will be conducted at the Clark County Extension Office.

Applications for this year’s program are available. A minimum of 20 participants, and a maximum of 40, will be accepted. Those who have not previously completed the program will receive priority. There is a course fee of $50 that must be submitted with the application. The deadline to register is Thursday, March 2.

For more information or to register for the 2017 Eastern Bluegrass Master Cattleman program, contact the Clark County Extension Service at 744-4682.

David Davis is the Clark County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources.