By Dr. Mario Villarino, Hopkins County Extension Agent- Agriculture and Natural Resources
RELEVANCE
Livestock and forage production are a 3.96 billion dollars industry in the Central Region. Livestock and forage enterprises are affected by climate and market variability. Hopkins County currently has more than 100,000 head of cattle with 27,000 head of dairy cattle. Due to environmental requirements of federal and state authorities, Hopkins County dairy operators must maintain environmental requirements for operation.
RESPONSE
This plan collaborated with dairy (Dairy Farmers of America, Southwest Dairy Museum) and beef organizations (NETBIO ) to determine and conduct educational efforts needed for the successful operation of livestock farms and ranches. This plan had the goal of providing educational experiences to 350 beef producers, 150 private applicators, 60 dairy producers and 60 landowner seeking private applicator accreditation.
The plan included the following activities:
- Hopkins-Rains Hay Show (with Soil Conservation Board) (15 Participants).
- Prairie Day (150 participants)(Presenter)(Yantis Texas).
- 4 New Pesticide Applicators Trainings (quarterly)( 36 participants).
- Cattle Trail in Beef Day (111 Participants).
- Dairy Outreach Fall Conference (13 Participants).
- Pesticide Private Applicator CEU (82 Participants).
- 34 Press releases (digital and printed media).
- Result Demonstration in pre-conditioning of beef cattle.
- 1,455 Telephone consultations.
- 423 Site visits.
Evaluation Strategy
Retrospective post evaluation surveys were utilized to measure knowledge gain and adoptions of best practices for the evaluated programs.
- 100% (111/111) participants completed the evaluation for the Cattle Trail.
- 38% (5/13) participants completed the evaluation for the Dairy Outreach Fall Conference.
- 85% (70/82) participants completed the evaluation survey for Pesticide Private Applicator CEU.
RESULTS
2022 Cattle Trail
- 100% (111/111) have a better understanding of the steps beef goes before consumers.
- 100% (111/111) have a better understanding of the different parts of beef.
- 100% (111/111) have a better understanding of the importance of ranching in Texas.
- 100% (111/111) have a better understanding of products made of beef.
- 99% (110/111) have a better understanding of the economic impact of beef in their county.
2022 Dairy Outreach Fall Conference
- 60% (3/5) attendees indicated economic benefit from this activity.
- 100% (5/5) attendees indicated this activity to be valuable to network with experts and other participants.
- 100% (5/5) attendees indicated to be completely satisfied with the activities presented in this conference.
2022 Pesticide Private Applicator CEU
- 93% (65/70) plan to take actions or make changes as a results of the knowledge gained during the conference.
- 93% (65/70) anticipate benefitting economically as a direct result of what their learned from this activity.
For More Information, contact Dr. Mario Villarino, CEA Ag/NR-Hopkins County, at 903-885-3443 or [email protected]
Extension programs of Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas
