Empowering Women Producers Using Livestock Boot Camps
Animal Science
JJ Jones
Little Rock
Abstract
According to the 2017 Census of Ag there are 46,267 beef cattle operations in Oklahoma. Of those 26,523 (57.3%) have female operators and 17,539 (37.9%) are principally operated by females. Yet female attendance at OSU Cow/Calf Boot Camps and other extension programs have averaged less than 10%. At the same time other extension programs such as Annie’s Project and Women in Agriculture conferences have had tremendous success empowering women agricultural producers to become better business operators. The OSU Cattlewomen’s Boot Camp is a project that combines elements of two successful programs, Annie’s Project and the Oklahoma Livestock Boot Camps. Using teaching models from the boot camps and Annie’s Project, the program creates an informative and engaging learning experience for female producers covering various methods on how to manage the production, financial, and market risks when operating a beef cow/calf operation. Forty-six female producers attended the camp in June 2022. Topics covered at the camp include cattle handling, general herd management practices such as ID, ear tagging, and castration, cow body condition scoring, heifer and bull selection, calving season management, reproduction, parasite control, farm business planning, budgeting, farm financial statements, record keeping, record keeping systems, nutrition, forage systems, forage analysis and testing, cattle health and vaccinations, marketing, beef quality assurance certification and estate planning or succession planning. Pre and post-tests scores showed an increase in knowledge gained of 24.4% with the largest increase coming in the areas of risk management and parasite management. Self-evaluation from participants indicated an increase of knowledge of 74.3% with the largest increase coming in forage production and herd nutrition. When asked about perceived adoption of practices taught during the camp, the average adoption rate was 73.5%. The perceived value of the camp to their operation ranged from $100 to $3,000 with an overall total value of $23,635.
Authors: Olivia Toothman, JJ Jones
-
Olivia Toothman Creek County Ag Educator, Oklahoma State University Extension, Oklahoma, 74039
-
JJ Jones Area Agricultural Economics Specialist, Oklahoma State University Extension, Oklahoma, 74820-1406