OSU Master Cattleman Program Oklahoma Beef Cattle Manual

OSU Master Cattleman Program & Oklahoma Beef Cattle Manual What is the Oklahoma Master Cattleman program? It is a comprehensive educational curriculum for beef cattle producers. Participants who complete the series are expected to gain proficiency in both production and business management. The program will be a coordinated series of educational offerings targeted to meet local producer needs. Expected outcomes of the program include a better understanding of • Nutrition and management • Quality assurance and animal health • Reproduction (cow-calf producers) • Natural resource management • Business planning and management • Marketing and risk management The new Oklahoma Beef Cattle Manual will serve as the primary reference for the Master Cattleman course. Extension specialists have developed lesson plans and exercises to accompany chapters and reinforce important points. Cost The base cost for the Master Cattleman program is $75 and this fee will be collected by the local Extension Educator - Agriculture. Fees will pay for the instructional material, a producer certificate, Master Cattleman farm gate sign, and a notebook embossed with the Master Cattleman logo. Additional fees may be charged locally to cover costs of other materials supplied. A limited supply of Beef Cattle Manuals are available free of charge independent of the Master Cattleman program. Manual recipients must complete an initial assessment to help document current management practices of Oklahoma producers. Program Requirements To be certified as a Master Cattleman, producers must complete a minimum of 28 hours of instruction from the Master Cattleman curriculum. The core curriculum consists of 4 hours from each of these disciplines: • Nutrition and management • Quality assurance and animal health • Reproduction (cow-calf producers) • Natural resources • Business planning and management • Marketing and risk management Successful completion of quizzes in core topic areas is required. Additional hours of elective topics are required to meet credit requirements. Electives may include additional hours from any chapters or completion of a project not previously undertaken for 28 hours total instruction. What do I get for participating? Investing in Excellence Through Education • • • Information/education Oklahoma Beef Cattle Manual Master Cattleman farm gate sign Master Cattleman certificate Master Cattleman notebook When and where will Master Cattleman programs be offered? Extension Educators - Agriculture will originate local Master Cattleman educational programs. Several counties plan to initiate Master Cattleman programs in Fall 2004. Contact your local Extension Educator to indicate interest in a Master Cattleman program series. Oklahoma Beef Cattle Manual The Oklahoma Beef Cattle Manual has been a key resource for beef cattle producers, extension professionals, veterinarians and many others in the beef cattle industry since 1983. In the new manual, topics are updated or completely rewritten to reflect more recent research based information. Chapters dealing with demographics of the Oklahoma beef industry, economics, marketing and risk management, business planning and tax considerations, leasing arrangements, enterprise performance analysis, livestock insurance, forage production, grazing management, drought management, beef quality assurance, waste management and biosecurity have been added. The development of such a comprehensive resource for beef production in Oklahoma was made possible by a team of faculty and staff in the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Extension Area Specialists, Noble Foundation, USDA's Risk Management Agency and Agricultural Marketing Service. Elective Options Producers will work with the local Extension Educator – Agriculture to plan a project appropriate for their operation. Examples include • Forage testing • Soil testing • Business plan with IFMAPS assistance • Breeding soundness exam • Host a demonstration • Cow/calf Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) In addition to instruction and associated quizzes, participants will complete an assessment and participate in a final project evaluation. Visit the Master Cattleman website at agecon. okstate. edu/cattleman/ • • View a calendar of events certified for Master Cattleman credit Monitor your credit hours earned (individual records are password-protected so participants have access to their information only) Find contact information for local Extension Educators – Agriculture Read answers to Frequently Asked Questions For more information or a manual Contact your local OCES Extension Educator– Agriculture in your county or region of the state to indicate interest in a Master Cattleman program.