2014 Advanced Master Beef Producers Class Scheduled for March
The University Of Tennessee Sevier County Extension Office is announcing plans for the 2014 Advanced Master Beef Producers class. The class will start on March 8th and conclude on March 15th. Cost for the class is $175.00, but the Tennessee Enhancement funds will pay $100.00 of the cost through a scholarship. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, producers must register their farms with the National Animal Identification System and have completed the Beef Quality Assurance course. Registration need to be completed by February 28th 2014. You can call 453-3695 or e-mail wabruhin@utk.edu to receive Registration information.
There has been a change to this years program. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is going to require livestock producers to complete the Advanced Master Beef Producer training every three years to maintain eligibility for the 50% cost share in the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program. For those producers who attended the original Master Beef Producer class during the years of 2004 through 2007, you will be required to go through this years class. If you have questions as to when you attended the class you can contact me at 453-3695 and I can let you know.
For beef producers who have never been through the Master Beef training before, you can attend the Advanced Training to become eligible for the increased funding in the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement Program.
The Master Beef Producer Program is an educational program designed to help Tennessee cow-calf producers improve management skills and profitability and to ultimately help raise industry competitiveness with other states. The 12-session course, led by a team of University of Tennessee Extension Agents and specialists, covers business planning, marketing, genetics, feeding and forage, health management and cattle reproduction.
Tennessee cattle producers who become Master Beef Producer certified will be eligible for reimbursement of 50 percent, up to $1,000, for genetic improvements in their herds. Certified producers will also be eligible to receive a 50 percent reimbursement, up to $1,250, for improvements to their cattle handling facilities. In the current round of cost share disbursements, approved producers get a 35 percent cost share up to $700 on genetics and up to $850 on handling equipment.
The next round of applications for Agriculture Enhancement Funds will be in the spring of 2014. To be eligible for the 50% reimbursements, beef producers should take advantage of this Master Beef Producers class. It will be the only class held in the area this year. To register for this class or to get additional information about attending this class, contact the Sevier County Extension office. We are located at 752 Old Knoxville Highway next to the Sevier County Fairgrounds, or you can reach us at 453-3695 or wabruhin@utk.edu
