Managing Change in Beef Cattle
Production
Managing Change in Beef Cattle
Production
ABSTRACT:
Beef cattle producers are currently one of the most financially stressed sectors in agriculture. To strengthen farms, this project will:
- Design case studies to document management practices, recent changes in the operation, and producers' perceptions of impending changes.
- Conduct information exchanges to encourage sharing of ideas for responses to change.
Broaden existing programs using software as a decision making tool.
- Identify other technological tools that can improve decisions.
The expected outcome is human capital formation in both producers and educators. Educational programs will include workshops, publications, and posting of materials developed on the world wide web.
OBJECTIVES:
The overall objective is to build on a multi-faceted research/education program with great potential for strengthening family farms and improving beef production systems. Specific initiatives to accomplish this objective include:
- Design case studies to document: 1) existing management practices, 2) recent changes made in the operation, if any, and the reason for change, 3) producers' perceptions of impending changes in the operating environment, the impact on the operation, and additional changes needed in the farm plan.
- Conduct information exchanges targeted to different groups of beef producers (limited resource, commercial, and/or part-time) and to agribusiness professionals (veterinarians, accountants), facilitate sharing of ideas among similar professionals about practices that do and don't work in addressing specific problem areas (e.g. uses of feed, fertilizer, labor, and capital) and responding to change.
- Broaden existing programs focusing on the use of software as a decision making tool by developing materials for and conducting a pilot workshop, "Managing Change: Using Financial Records to Succeed".
- Identify other technological tools that can improve decisions made by beef producers in a changing environment and incorporate them into ongoing educational efforts.
EXPECTED COMPLETION DATE: April
1997
PROJECT TEAM:
Auburn University
Walter Prevatt (Ag Econ)
Jerry Van Dyke (Animal Science)
Langston University
Clark Williams (Ag Econ)
Andy Kincaid (Animal Science)
Noble Foundation
Steve Swigert (Ag Econ)
Oklahoma State University
Damona Doye (Ag Econ)
Sally Northcutt and Glenn Selk (Animal Science)
Larry Rice (Vet Med)
Larry Redmon and Terry Bidwell (Agronomy)
Texas A&M University
Jim McGrann and Stan Bevers (Ag Econ)
Steve Wikse and Tom Kasari (Vet Med)
Ron Gill (Animal Science)
CONTACT:
J. Walter Prevatt, Project Coordinator
Auburn University
Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology
209 Comer Hall
Auburn University, AL 36849-5406
Phone: (334) 844-5608
Fax: (334) 844-5639
E-mail: jprevatt@acenet.auburn.edu
