News Releases

(KNOXVILLE, Tenn.) — More than 300 Tennessee cattle producers participated in the first cycle of Master Beef Producer programs offered by University of Tennessee Extension offices throughout the state.

Jim Neel, a UT Extension beef specialist who helped design and coordinate the program, says the response has been enthusiastic. "We've had 331 producers and their spouses or family members participate, and the main questions I've been getting from other producers are 'Will the program be
taught again?' and 'How can I get involved?'"

It is no wonder that producers are interested. The comprehensive educational program was planned to help individual producers improve their profitability and competitiveness. Neel says 73 percent of participants reported that the program had the potential to improve their bottom lines by between $1,000 and $10,000.

Participants predicted the MBP program could improve their annual returns by more than $700,000. "Twenty-nine percent indicated that the expected financial impact to their operations as result of applying the technology learned would range from $1,000 to $2,000," Neel said. "Another 26 percent reported the impact would fall between $2001 and $5,000, and 9 percent said they thought the impact would range between $5,001 and $10,000." Neel indicated yet another 9 percent of the MBP participants estimated the impact to exceed $10,000.

In a state that ranks ninth in the nation in beef cows and fourth in the number of cow-calf operations, such an economic impact could be tremendous. Furthermore, improvements achieved through the MBP program could translate into substantial additional income for many families across Tennessee.

"If every producer associated with the state's 51,000 cattle operations were to realize similar predicted gains, producers could enhance their combined profits by more than $100 million," said Emmit Rawls, a UT agricultural economist and coordinator of the Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Initiative.

According to the Tennessee Agricultural Statistics Service, nearly $438 million in cash receipts was generated by the state's cattle operations in 2003. This represents nearly 20 percent of Tennessee's agricultural cash receipts. Cattle remains the state's most valuable agricultural commodity.

Hailed as the most extensive educational program ever planned for Tennessee cattle producers, the MBP program focuses on 12 production and marketing topics. Sessions are taught by Extension agents and specialists in classroom settings. Registration is limited to approximately 25 to 30 participants.

Neel says the 2004 participants provided planners with lots of positive feedback. "We heard comments like, 'Anyone producing cattle should take this course,' and 'The knowledge obtained during these meetings will forever enhance and change the way we manage our entire family and cattle operation,'" he said.

The second round of MBP sessions is being scheduled beginning in 2005. Neel says producers interested in participating should contact their local county UT Extension office for information on fees, dates and locations.

###

Contacts:

Jim Neel, 865-974-7294
Patricia McDaniels, 865-974-7141