Connection and Education: The Cattlemen’s Roundtable
Animal Science
Lauren Butler
County Extension Director/ Livestock Agent
UF/IFAS Extension Okeechobee County
Okeechobee
Abstract
Connection and Education: The Cattlemen’s Roundtable
Butler, L*
Livestock Agent, University of Florida, Okeechobee, FL 34972
The "Cattlemen's Roundtable" extension program is an initiative addressing the educational needs of local cattlemen through informal discussions. Recognizing the dynamic challenges faced by individuals in the cattle industry, the program is designed to deliver relevant and timely information through a monthly roundtable format. The unique aspect of the "Cattlemen's Roundtable" is the informal structure, providing an open platform for cattlemen to engage with University of Florida specialists directly with the producers leading the direction of the discussion. These sessions cover a diverse array of topics crucial to the cattle industry, including agronomy, economics, beef quality assurance, nutrition, herd health, and general industry trends. The choice of venue adds a strategic dimension to the program. The event is conducted at the local livestock market on a nonsale day. The roundtable topic is introduced by the presenter who then opens the floor for questions from the audience. The discussion lasts for 45 minutes. The brevity of the event is conducive to the lunch hour of the cattlemen. Conducting the monthly roundtable sessions at the local livestock market reinforces the relevance of the information shared and also establishes a sense of community among participants, fostering networking and collaboration. Based on the post-reflective survey participants indicated a 51% increase in knowledge. Behavior changes could lead to economic impacts due to nutrition and forage selection on various ranches. The most notable changes include increases in pregnancy rates and heavier weaning weights. In essence, the "Cattlemen's Roundtable" extension program demonstrates a successful model in addressing the educational needs of local cattlemen in an informal setting and learning environment. Both the presenters and the participants appreciate that the roundtable leads to timely and relevant topics and questions. Continued education in the beef cattle industry leads to progressive and positive changes sustaining the industry and its success.
Authors: Lauren Butler
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Lauren Butler County Extension Director/ Livestock Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 34972