Evaluation of Best Management Practice Adoption in Kentucky and Tennessee Beef Cattle Herds as Part of a Leadership Conference to Develop Extension Education Programs

Abstract The objective of this survey was to establish adoption rates of management practices on beef cattle operation in Kentucky and Tennessee to assist in the development of extension education programs as part of the Mid-South Beef Leadership Conference (MSBLC). The survey was distributed via email listservs and social media, with 598 responses from Kentucky and 247 from Tennessee. Most respondents held off-farm employment (63%), and 65% were 50 years of age or older. Cattle operations represented included commercial cow-calf (82%), seedstock (20%), backgrounding or stocker (15%) and finishing (18%) enterprises. Commercial cow-calf and seedstock operations with 50 cows or less made up 60% of respondents, 57% of respondents with stocker/background enterprises managed 100 calves or less, while 44% of respondents finishing cattle finished less than 10 head annually. Controlled breeding seasons were utilized on 78% of operations, with 25% fall calving, 28% spring calving, and 47% having both seasons. Artificial insemination was only utilized by 31% of respondents, while only 51% of respondents reported routinely conducting breeding soundness exams on natural service bulls. Pregnancy diagnosis was utilized by 53% of respondents, with ultrasound or palpation being the most widely utilized method (64%), while use of chute side methods remained low (8%). Use of expected progeny differences (EPD) were an important or primary source of information when selecting bulls for 74% of respondents. The majority of seedstock producers (82%) promoted education and proper use of EPD to their clientele. Crossbreeding was utilized on 77% of the commercial cow-calf operations, but 52% of those reported the genetic make up their herd to be 75% of the most dominant breed. Soil testing was utilized by 89% of respondents, while only 38% tested hay. Hay was purchased by 40% of respondents, and 31% reported feeding hay for 120 days each year. Cow-calf producers predominantly report castrating prior to weaning (75%), while 65% of stocker/backgrounder producers delay castration as opposed to castrating upon arrival (35%). Adoption of implanting was low across all production types, with only 21% of producers utilizing the practice. Only 21% of producers reported routinely weighing cows, and only 36% routinely weigh calves. Fifty-six percent of respondents reported feeding pre-packaged supplemental feed tubs, with 36% of those reporting it as a cost-effective option. Fifty-nine percent of respondents reported their farms are included in an estate plan or will. The results from this survey were shared with producers at the MSBLC and used to facilitate discussion regarding current challenges and opportunities facing the beef industry with the result being development of educational programs to address those issues. Future educational programs discussed at the conference reflect survey results including land transition, breeding soundness exam clinics, and chute-side training for best management practices.