Cattle and Small Ruminant IPM Educational Materials: A systems approach that will lead to a sustainable future

View the project final report

Commodities

• Animals: bovine, goats, sheep

Practices

• Animal Production: animal protection and health, grazing management, grazing - rotational, manure management, parasite control, preventive practices
• Education and Training: demonstration, extension, workshop
• Pest Management: biological control, chemical control, cultural control, economic threshold, integrated pest management, physical control, sanitation, traps

IPM practices have been proven to be sustainable and increase environmental quality in cattle production systems. Through the creation of cattle IPM educational materials, we will be aiding the long-term sustainability of cattle production systems in the Southern region. The educational materials will be used to train trainers and ultimately end-users in IPM practices, which will increase their economic well being and quality of life.

As population increases the number of younger new generation farmers increases, improved agricultural management methods and science-based training for new and beginning farmers are critical. The number of beginning farmers and ranchers interested in livestock-based production systems has increased significantly in the last two years as indicated by the demand for educational programming in this area, and continued participation in these events. There is a need to train new and beginning livestock producers in IPM strategies, which will lead to enhanced sustainability in the beef industry within the state and the Southern region.

This project aims to create IPM educational materials, which will bring knowledge transfer into the digital age. Currently, there are no mobile-ready IPM educational materials for cattle producers in the Southern region. This presents an amazing opportunity to increase knowledge, adopt IPM practices, and ultimately improve the economic and social well-being of end-users.

A regional cattle IPM guide was created. Training for regional Extension agents and hands-on training/demonstrations with mentor farmers were conducted. 

This project created:

1. Regional educational materials (cattle IPM handbook);
2. Train-the trainer meetings (utilizing both in-classroom and in-field learning) on cattle IPM practices to Extension personnel and a group of select mentor farmers.