2023 Livestock and Forage Education Hopkins County
Dr. Mario Villarino| 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)
(Representing 25,000 head of dairy cattle).
• 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.
• 85% (70/82) participants completed the evaluation for the Pesticide applicators CEU.
• 38% (5/13) participants completed the evaluation survey for DOPA training.
RESULTS
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.
Dairy Outreach Fall Conference
• 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.
• 60% (3/5) attendees indicated economic benefit from this activity.
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:
Dr. Mario Villarino
CEA Ag/NR- Hopkins County
903-885-3443
[email protected]
