Duration: 10/01/2009 to 09/30/2014

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

Southeastern beef cattle production is critical to the beef cattle industry in the United States. The Southeastern states graze over 8 million cows, 45% of the United States total cow herd, that produce offspring supplying a major portion of the 22 million fed cattle finished in the United States annually. Approximately one-third of the nation's fed cattle originate from Southeastern farms utilizing forages as the base feed supply. There is a growing demand for forage-finished beef, and the Southeast is well suited to meet this demand for beef products. In addition, a large number of Southeastern cull cows are harvested annually from forage-based production systems being a source of beef for the nation. The environment in this region of the country is especially conducive to growing a variety of both cool- and warm-season forages in support of cow/calf, stocker, and forage-finished beef production systems, making this region ideal for grazing livestock. With the current volatility in concentrate-feed prices expected to continue into the future, forages offer options for adding value to calves locally with less expense, lower input volatility, and lower overall dependence on concentrate feedstuffs. However, greater understanding of managing Southeastern forage systems to extend grazing periods and reduce dependence on concentrate feedstuffs throughout the entire beef supply chain is necessary from both a research and outreach perspective. Extension Specialists from Southeastern states have successfully initiated and are currently conducting Extension programming across state boundaries to educate county agents/educators and producers on various aspects of beef cattle production utilizing forages. Professional relationships that support such endeavors across state boundaries must be fostered and encouraged among regional Extension Specialists in order to effectively and efficiently utilize resources. Research scientists from Agricultural Experiment Stations in the Southeastern states are currently engaged in multistate research activities that increasingly include a formal Extension programming component, often as a statutory requirement for funding (e.g., Agricultural and Food Research Initiative of USDA/NIFA, Southern SARE, etc.). In order to expand these relationships within and between Extension and Experiment Station systems, a mechanism must be in place to foster communication and planning between Extension Specialists and Experiment Station research scientists across the Region. An organizational structure generating interaction between Extension Specialists and research scientists across state boundaries can be a powerful tool in solving common problems for the region associated with grazing beef cattle. In the face of limited funding for Extension and Research programs addressing forage-based beef cattle production, combining forces among states in the region is a necessity in order to continue delivering science based production practices for our county agents/educators and ultimately their producers. We must also work to address priority issues affecting the industry. The Southeastern states can become a strong force in delivering quality programs, attracting competitive Research and Extension funding, and conducting high-priority research organized to do so. Our clientele groups, the Southeastern States Beef Cattle Associations, have already been proactive in organizing to solve common Southeastern beef cattle issues by forming the Southeastern Livestock Network (SLN) to address animal identification issues. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is composed of Regional Representatives elected from each State Beef Council that meet annually to discuss issues facing the beef cattle industry within their region. Additionally, the Farm Bureau and Farm Federations within each state host producer group committees in beef (and other commodities) to address industry-related issues. Linking Extension Specialists, Experiment Station research scientists and county agents/educators to these industry groups will be extremely valuable as educational programming and research are initiated to address issues facing Southeast beef cattle production in grazing environments while also serving as an avenue to disseminate new information. At present, there is no formal mechanism in place to provide cohesive communication and planning for Extension and Research programs/projects among the Southeastern Land Grant Universities. Development of a Southern Extension/Research Activity (SERA) in Beef Cattle Production Utilizing Forages in the Southeast to Integrate Research and Extension Programs will provide a cohesive effort between Extension Specialists and Research Scientists within the region that can provide valuable linkages between institutions and to our clientele groups. Previously, a Southern Regional Information Exchange Group (SRIEG) existed for the Southern States in beef/forage production systems. This discussion group met annually at the Southern Association of Agricultural Scientist (SAAS) meetings. At the 2006 meeting held in February at Orlando, FL it was identified that the project was due to be renewed. There was no move to renew this project, and the group agreed to participate in a proposed SERA if it was approved. The immediate predecessor activity, SERA036, was formed in 2007 for a one-year period that ended on September 30, 2008. Southern Region Experiment Station scientists and Extension Specialists met at the annual meeting of the Southern Section, American Society of Animal Science in February 2009 (in conjunction with SAAS meeting) in Atlanta, GA, and formulated a timeline and strategy for proceeding with development of this proposal. In addition, the concept for a new SERA as described in this proposal was presented and approved overwhelmingly and enthusiastically by SAC-2, Animal Sciences (Southern Region Advisory Committee of Department Heads/Chairs) in January 2009. The opportunity to increase the use of forages for cow-calf, stockers and forage finishing of cattle throughout the Southern Region of the United States utilizing Research and Extension outreach and ultimately reducing input costs, increasing returns, or both. In some states, it is possible to produce forage year round while others depend on the use of conserved or stockpiled forages during a few months of the year. There is tremendous opportunity to research issues dealing with the management of forages for cow-calf production and the interaction between nutrition and reproduction. Additionally, there are more than 6 million feeder cattle that weigh less than 500 pounds that would be excellent candidates for growing on forages to add weight and value prior to marketing to feedlot or directly to consumers. This will result in a greater return to the expansive forage resource and add value to the 6 million head of feeder cattle while maintain pasturelands in the Southeast.

Objectives

Procedures and Activities

Objective 1: Research Initiatives (1) Seek input from stakeholders and create advisory groups that will help develop research programs which will aid in securing external funding. (2) Evaluate the performance and production systems of beef cattle utilizing forage and biomass residues associated with cellulosic biofuel production. (3) Evaluate forage systems that incorporate the use of native grasses and/or legumes in conjunction with perennial grasses on cow-calf, stocker, and finishing cattle performance and products; forage nutrient availability; and optimizing fertilizer inputs. (4) Evaluate the role of multiple industries' co-products as supplements for beef cattle offered forage-based diets and their impact on beef cattle production. (5) Evaluate methods of harvesting and conserving forage and the subsequent impact on forage quality and cattle performance. (6) Evaluate the use of supplemental nutrients to enhance animal immunity and health being grown on southern forages. (7) Meet annually to discuss ongoing research, Extension programs and build collaborations for future programs. Objective 1: Extension Initiatives (1) Seek input from stakeholders in developing educational programs priorities as well as securing financial support for developing and implementing Extension educational programs in beef cattle and forage management. (2) Develop educational programs that can be delivered via web-based technology and distance education through regional and multi-state efforts to address forage management for cow-calf, stocker, and finishing systems for county agents/educators and ultimately clientele. (3) Design and deliver multi-state and multi-disciplinary educational programs that address southeast specific issues for beef production systems including cattle nutrition, marketing, health, genetics, and management decisions. (4) Incorporate data generated in the different states through research and demonstration programs to develop economic models to evaluate the efficiency of the different segments of beef cattle production. (5) Share education program evaluation tools to improve data capture, demographics, and information needs of clientele within states and the region. (6) Develop and publish translational science-based information for distribution via websites and eXtension community of practice. (7) Coordinate a Beef-Forage symposium at the annual meeting of the Southern Section American Society of Animal Sciences (ASAS) meeting. Objective 2 (1) Identify a representative from each participating institution to cooperate with their respective state cattlemen's association to facilitate providing needs information in order that targeted education associated with SERA 041 objectives be incorporated during state-based cattlemen's colleges. (2) Upcoming NCBA National meetings will be held in the Southeast region Nashville, TN and Tampa, FL in consecutive years (2012 and 2013, respectively). The SERA 041 group will propose and coordinate session(s) at the National Cattlemen's College on managing cattle and forages in the mid-South and deep-South in 2012 and 2013. The SERA 041 group has two members on the NCBA Producer Education Committee to help facilitate this proposal. (3) Cooperate and facilitate transfer of research information and Extension education programs to related agricultural emphasis groups (i.e. State Farm Bureau) through research-Extension liaisons from participating institutions. (4) Co-author across state boundaries and publish timely grazing and forage management articles in popular press outlets. Objective 3 (1) Targeted engagement of commodity groups (NCBA, State Cattlemen's/Beef Association, State Farm Bureau Affiliates) as a result of Objective 2 to facilitate the identification and development of commodity group priority driven research and extension programs. (2) Strategic discussions at the annual meeting of SERA 041 to develop potential research and Extension educational funding opportunities as a result of needs and priorities. This discussion will include the scope of research-extension activities and targeted funding resources

Expected Outcomes and Impacts

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Educational Plan

Information exchanged by members of this project will be of critical value to the beef cattle industry, and to research scientists and Extension specialists working in the area of beef/forage production systems in the Southeast region. The information will allow the development of teams within the SERA 041 project to address critical needs for Southeastern beef production systems. The participants of the SERA 041 will combine forces with the existing beef cattle commodity groups including NCBA and state beef committees to form a linkage between the Land Grant Universities and our commodity groups. This linkage will be valuable as we exchange information to support and enhance beef production in the Southeast through Extension educational programs.

Organization/Governance

The recommended Standard Governance for this multistate activity will be to elect of a Chair, a Chair-elect, and a Secretary. All officers will serve a one-year term with progression of leadership from Secretary to Chair-elect to Chair to provide continuity. Guidelines for officer election will be a rotational basis between Experiment Station and Extension faculty to ensure both agencies are represented as officers each year. Administrative guidance will be provided by assigned Administrative Advisors (Extension and Research) and a USDA/NIFA Representative. The Chair will be responsible for organizing the next annual meeting and for coordinating meeting arrangements with the host location. The Secretary will be responsible for writing and submitting minutes of the meeting to the Administrative Advisors and to the website coordinator. Current officers inducted at the annual meeting in Orlando. FL in February 2009, Dr. Matt Hersom, FL- Extension, Dr. Ken Coffey, AR- Experiment Station, serve as Chair, Chair-elect, respectively, and Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler UK- Extension was elected by attendees at the meeting to serve as Secretary for 2010-2011.

Literature Cited

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, ND, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

Middle Tennessee State University, NIFA, USDA-ARS/Florida