Producers new to the cattle business should plan to attend the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s new Beef Systems Short Course. The short course is a multi-night lecture series covering the fundamentals of beef production and is geared for new and limited experienced producers.

Dr. Kim Mullenix, an Alabama Extension beef specialist, says there are multiple locations for the short course. The first set of classes are in August at the Chilton Research and Extension Center in Clanton.

Over four nights, producers will learn critical information on profitable beef production. There is a $40 registration fee, and all participants will receive a copy of Extension’s recently updated Alabama Beef Handbook.

“Extension animal scientists developed a concentrated curriculum that is most vital for new cattle producers to master,” Mullenix said. “The course will be taught by Extension regional animal science agents over the next year at a variety of locations across the state.

“New producers will be able to attend a course near them.”

Topics Covered

• Forages and Nutrition;

• Herd Health and Reproduction;

• Record Keeping and Environmental Stewardship;

• Economics and Meat Science.

The Clanton sessions will be Aug. 13, 15, 20 and 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register online for the Clanton short course here. Interested farmers can also contact Josh Elmore, an Extension regional animal science agent, at [email protected] or 205-646-3610. 

The Beef Systems Short Course equips beginning livestock producers with the skills needed to manage a beef operation effectively.

“The recently released Census of Agriculture shows Alabama has a large number of new farmers,” said Dr. Paul Brown, Extension associate director. “Almost 11,000 Alabama farmers have less than 5 years of farm experience. That’s almost 17 percent of the state’s more than 64,000 producers.

“Extension programs such as the Beef Systems Short Course are crucial to assist new farmers to establish successful and sustainable operations.”

Mullenix said producers should contact their regional animal science agent to find a short course near them. They can also visit the Extension website, www.aces.edu, and search the calendar for Beef Systems Short Course.

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