The Master Beef Producer program is an extensive educational program developed to provide information to assist you and other Tennessee cow-calf producers in improving the profitability of your cow-calf operations. The classes provide opportunities to gain knowledge in current beef cattle management practices that are important to the profitability and sustainability of the industry.
In the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021, Union County hosted the first ever online Master Beef Producer class. The class shared feedback that the class was convenient because farmers could get home, feed the cows, and log in from the comfort of their own home to watch class.
Farmers loved the opportunity to complete Master Beef Producer from the comfort of their couches, barns, dinner tables, and desks. There were no bad seats, no masks and no social distancing.
Mondays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. classes were streamed to farmers across East Tennessee. Producers are required to attend seven total classes to be certified. We tried to accommodate all levels of technological skill. All that was needed was an email address and internet connection.
We all know how hard the last year has been on our youth doing school online. These classes gave adults a small glimpse of what our youth are going through. Many folks were able to watch the classes from their phones.
Stuart Wyrick stated, “I loved getting home, feeding the cows, and watching the classes from home without having to get cleaned up and go back into town.”
Surveys revealed the estimated economic impact from changes made to operations was over $10,000 to local farmers. The Master Beef Producer Certification Program helps farmers qualify for up to 50% cost share through the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program (TAEP).
The program cost shares on equipment, genetics, health, structures, and hay barns to improve Tennessee farms. The TAEP program was utilized by many farmers over the last 15 years. In 2020, Union County farmers were approved for over $120,000 in cost share funds. Since inception, the program has paid out $909,060 on 318 projects to help farmers make improvement on their farms.
If you are not sure when your last Master Beef certificate was issued, give Extension Agent and County Director Shannon DeWitt a call and she will look it up. Email sdewitt@utk.edu or call 992-8038.
The cost for attending was still $75. Graduates received a hat, sign, certificate, and hay thermometer.
Programs with University of Tennessee Extension in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H Youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development are a cooperation between the University of Tennessee, USDA, and Union County Government. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. All educational programs and/or activities sponsored or assisted by county Extension employees are open to all regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability.