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Driving Adoption of Livestock Best Management Practices Through a Regional Extension Field Day

Animal Science

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Catherine Whitehead
ANR & Livestock Agent 1
UF/IFAS Extension
Starke

Abstract

Florida livestock producers must continually adapt and adopt recommended management practices to maintain and improve profitability. To support producers in the region, the North Florida Livestock Agents Group (NFLAG) hosts the annual Livestock and Forages Field Day, a collaborative Extension program focused on delivering practical, research-based education. NFLAG is composed of agriculture agents from 14 counties in northeast Florida who combine their efforts to implement large-scale, comprehensive programming for livestock producers. The Livestock and Forages Field Day aims to provide producers with practical knowledge in livestock and pasture management while encouraging the adoption of best management practices that enhance productivity and profitability. The program features presentations from expert speakers and Extension agents alongside rotating concurrent sessions covering a range of relevant topics. This format promotes participant interaction and experiential learning through short, demonstration-based rotations while highlighting current issues affecting the livestock industry through keynote presentations. Agents identify common challenges across their counties each year to guide the selection of topics and invited speakers. Over the past three years, sessions have addressed timely subjects such as cattle market variability, New World Screwworm updates, drone-based herbicide application, pregnancy diagnosis using blood tests, vaccination protocols, and other emerging management practices. Since 2023, the event has attracted 334 producers representing 22,812 acres. A multi-year follow-up survey (28 respondents) indicates meaningful outcomes and impacts: 82% reported selecting herbicides based on proper weed identification, 64% implemented bull selection and expected progeny difference (EPD)–based decision-making, and 54% adopted a new livestock production practice after attending a session. Participants estimated the value of attending the event at up to $5,000 per operation, resulting in a total estimated impact of $295,024 from the 2023–2025 field days. Authors: Lizzie Whitehead, Cindy Sanders, Kevin Korus, Alicia Halbritter, Aly Schortinghouse, Cassidy Dossin, Paulette Tomlinson, Stephen Jennewein, Keith Wynn, Micah Gallagher, Dan Fenneman, David Hebert, Erin Dasher, Jim DeValerio, Emily Beach, Tyler Pittman
  1. Lizzie Whitehead Livestock and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32091
  2. Cindy Sanders County Extension Director and Livestock Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32669
  3. Kevin Korus Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32669
  4. Alicia Halbritter Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32063
  5. Aly Schortinghouse Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 34461
  6. Cassidy Dossin Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32043
  7. Paulette Tomlinson Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32055
  8. Stephen Jennewein Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32254
  9. Keith Wynn Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32052
  10. Micah Gallagher Livestock Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32621
  11. Dan Fenneman County Extension Director and Agriculture Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32340
  12. David Hebert Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32011
  13. Erin Dasher Livestock Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32064
  14. Jim DeValerio County Extension Director and Agriculture Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32054
  15. Emily Beach Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32066
  16. Tyler Pittman Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, University of Florida, Florida, 32693