Normally, my response has been of a good length since I want that person to fully realize that agriculture is not only well in that county, in NW Georgia but also in the entire state itself. True, agriculture has changed, but things always change over time. If you could go back in time travel and go back 60 years sure the landscape agriculturally would have been different. Now, we have much more diversity in agriculture. My recently completed Gordon County Farm Gate Survey demonstrates that diversity. We are still a major player in the poultry industry, we have a growing vegetable industry along with a steady row crop sector. We have a lot of goats and horses as well as timber. We even have a strong Ag Tourism sector and a growing organic industry along with a good turf industry. One area, we continue to stay strong in is the beef cattle industry. Today, I will like to center on beef cattle production and an upcoming important educational opportunity for raising beef cattle.
We have several “Master” series through UGA Cooperative Extension such as Master Gardener and Master Equine to name a few. The Master Cattlemen Program is along the same lines and is a great chance for people to gain in depth knowledge in beef cattle.
The great thing about the upcoming series of classes is that Gordon County Extension will be the host county. First, Master Cattlemen does not come around often. This program rotates around the state and there is a good chance it will not come back to our area for five to seven years. This is why you do not want to miss out on this chance to come to an educational event close to you.
What is Master Cattlemen? This is an in depth series of nightly classes that will center on specific areas of the cattle industry. The speakers will be specialists and experts in their fields.
For example, Dr. Curt Lacy, UGA Economist, will be here one night to talk specifically on Economics and Marketing.
Another evening, Dr. Dennis Hancock, UGA Forage Specialist, will be with us to talk just on foraging issues.
Classes will start on August 21 and run through early October each Tuesday evening. One evening participants will be able to receive Beef Quality Assurance certification also.
How do you sign up? We really need for a person to be signed up by Aug. 10 so we can get your take home resource book in the works and you on the list.
Cost of the class is $90 per person. If a producer and spouse want to take the class, we have a package program. A producer and spouse that want only one notebook can attend for $120 and if they want two notebooks it is $180.
Again, individuals can sign up for $90 each. This cost will include the notebook, refreshments, a steak dinner at the final session, UGA Master Cattlemen’s cap and certificate plus Beef Quality Assurance Certification.
Who is the program for? This is for any person that wants to learn more about the cattle industry. This is for the guy with a few cows all the way to larger cattle producers that may ship calves a few times per year.
In addition, you don’t have to even own a cow to sign up. With cattle prices at record highs, you may be thinking about owning a few cows in the future and want to learn more.
How can I get the program information? If you want to come by our office and pick up a registration package just stop by the Gordon County Extension Office. If you need directions, just give us a call at 706-629-8685. You can email me at gbowman@uga.edu and I can send you the information too.
The class times and agenda will be included in the packet. I hope you take part in this great program. Finally, another reminder on our food preservation class with Ms. Kathy Floyd on July 19. The class will start at 9 a.m. and run to noon with a classroom session on vegetable gardening hot topics, a section on canning and freezing and then a wrap up with checking of those pressure canners for correction operation by Ms. Floyd. Please sign up prior at Gordon County Extension. Cost is $5 per person.
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