Duration: 10/01/2007 to 09/30/2008

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 that produce offspring supplying a major portion of the 22 million fed cattle finished in the United States annually. Approximately 1/3 of the nations fed cattle originate on Southeastern farms utilizing forages as the base feed supply. In addition, a large number of Southeastern cull cows are harvested annually from forage production systems. The environment in this region of the country is conducive to growing forages in support of cow/calf, stocker and forage finished beef production systems making this region ideal for grazing livestock.

Recently, Extension Specialists from three Southeastern states (AL, MS, LA) initiated and are successfully conducting Extension programming across state boundaries to educate livestock producers in a Master Cattleman course. Currently, approximately 400 individuals are enrolled in this course. This programming came about from Specialists interaction and communication across state boundaries. This type of relationship must be fostered and encouraged. In order to expand these relationships within Extension and carry them over into our research endeavors a mechanism must be in place to foster communication between Extension Specialists and Scientists across the region. An organizational structure generating interaction between Specialists and 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 beef cattle production utilizing forages, combining forces with sister states is a necessity in order to continue delivering sound production practices for our 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 research and extension funding, and conducting high priority research if we become 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 a LLC, the Southeastern Livestock Network (SLN) to address animal identification issues. The National Cattlemens 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 Scientists and Specialists to these industry groups will be extremely valuable as programming and research are initiated to address problems facing Southeast beef cattle production in grazing environments. However, at present, there is no mechanism in place to provide cohesive communication and planning for Extension and Research programs/projects amongst the Southeast Land Grant Universities. Development of a Southern Extension Research Activity in Beef Cattle Production Utilizing Forages in the Southeast to Integrate Research and Extension Programs across State Boundaries will provide a cohesive effort between Extension Specialists and Beef Cattle Scientists within the region that can provide linkages 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 for the last few years 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 this proposed SERA if it is approved.

Objectives

Procedures and Activities

The project will provide communication and linkages between research and extension programs in beef cattle production systems in the south and with beef cattle commodity groups throughout the southern states. Communication of research and extension programs among Land Grant University Cooperative Extension Services and Experiment Stations in the Southeast and the beef cattle commodity groups will be a two-way interactive process. Input from commodity groups/stakeholders to provide timely issues affecting beef cattle and forage production in the south will be solicited, and the design of research and educational programs will be developed to be delivered in an efficient and timely manner. Researchers and Extension Specialists will meet annually in conjuntion with a regional scientific meeting (usually SAAS)for the presentation of station reports from each participating state or university. Individual participants will attend and report on beef cattle commodity group activities, issues, priorities for research and Extension programs to state beef cattle committees and to the SERA.

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. The information will allow the development of teams within the SERA project to address critical needs for Southeastern beef production systems. The participants of the SERA will combine forces with the existing beef cattle commodity groups including NCBA Region II 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. Meetings each year will be in conjuntion with the Southern Section ASAS meetings and individual participants will represent the SERA to the NCBA Region II and state beef cattle committees. Priorities for programming/initiatives will be discussed with the commodity groups at these specific meetings.

Organization/Governance

Meetings for this SERA will be held in conjunction with the SAAS meeting. Meeting at the SAAS annual meeting will provide our autonomy and individual scientists/specialists will report on activities pertaining to state beef cattle commodity groups as well as provide station reports for research and Extension programs within each state represented. 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 and a CSREES 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. At the organizational meeting held in Mobile AL in February 2007 with the 2007 SAAS annual meeting, Dr. Jason Rowntree, LA - Extension, Dr. Russ Muntifering, AL - Experiment Station, and Dr. Jane Parish, MS - Extension were elected by attendees at the meeting to serve as Chair, Chair-elect, and Secretary, respectively, for 2007.

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

NIFA, West Virginia