Project Overview
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Animals: bovine
Practices
- Animal Production: livestock breeding
- Education and Training: demonstration, extension, focus group, networking, on-farm/ranch research, workshop
- Farm Business Management: budgets/cost and returns, agricultural finance
- Sustainable Communities: partnerships, sustainability measures
Proposal abstract:
Abstract: Evaluating the Sustainability of Beef Cattle Breeding Systems Project Coordinator: Carl. R. Dahlen, NDSU Extension Beef Cattle Specialist The purpose of the proposed project is to evaluate two beef cattle breeding systems with a focus on understanding three key areas of sustainability within each system: production, performance, and profit. A model of fully integrated research and Extension is outlined and research will take place on each of 10 commercial beef operations. Within each herd, cows will be assigned to one of two breeding systems: 1) cows will be bred via natural service bulls; and 2) cows will be bred via artificial insemination followed by exposure to natural service bulls. Collaborating personnel will be on each operation at least five times in order to accomplish research objectives and a field day will be held at each operation. Data on calving season distribution and calf crop characteristics, financial inputs into each respective breeding season, and quality of life changes will be collected. Producers will be enrolled in a cow herd performance evaluation and farm business management program for two years in order to determine the true economic impact of each breeding system. Focus groups of participating producers and county Extension agents will meet four times throughout the project. Producers will participate in a panel discussion at the NDSU beef college and will also be invited speakers at meetings of local beef producers held by NDSU Extension. Outcomes of the project will be to document change in knowledge and awareness of producers and educators throughout the North Central Region regarding beef cattle breeding systems, cow herd performance evaluation, and farm finances, and to create a network of producers and Extension agents that fosters discussion and group learning. Information transfer will occur via written media and face to face interaction with over 1,500 producers. Partners in this effort offer appropriate combinations of expertise to evaluate entire production systems of cooperating producers and determine the true sustainability of each breeding system.
Project objectives from proposal:
Specific Objectives and Outcomes include:
1) Determine the production, performance, and profit responses of two beef cattle breeding systems implemented on each of 10 cooperating producer operations
2) Increase the skills, awareness and knowledge of cooperating producers regarding breeding systems, herd performance, and beef production system finances
3) Provide continuing education for NDSU Extension and ND Farm Business Management groups
4) Create a network of producers and Extension agents that fosters discussion and group learning related to the sustainability of beef production systems
5) Document changes over time in perception of participating collaborators and producers regarding breeding systems, herd performance, and beef production system finances
6) Increase awareness and knowledge of breeding systems, herd performance, and beef production system finances of producers, students, veterinarians, and members of allied industries attending programs, receiving educational materials produced via grant-related activities, or otherwise interacting with personnel involved with the proposed project