Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1983

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter Jr.

Committee Members

Robert S. Dotson, David Kirkpatrick

Abstract

The major purpose of this survey type study was to determine the relationship between the characteristics of beef producers, their operation as to size, breeding and calving practices, marketing practices and the number of contacts they had with Extension. A total of 1799 interviews was conducted by Extension agents in Tennessee. The 1981 Beef Cow-Calf Producer Survey was used to collect data from the beef producers. Counties having at least 15 beef cow-calf producers were surveyed. Producers were required to have 25 or more breeding age cows before they could participate in the survey. The analysis of variance F test was used to determine probability levels and strength of relationships between dependent and independent variables. F values which achieved the .05 level of probability were accepted as being statistically significant. This analysis was achieved through computations of data on computer cards. These computations were made at The University of Tennessee Computing Center. Major findings included the following: 1. Forty-seven percent of beef producers interviewed had commercial crossbred herds. 2. Fifty-one percent indicated full-time farming status. 3. The average number of cows and breeding age heifers exposed to bulls during most recent breeding season was 61, the average number of bulls used per producer being 1.94. 4. The average number of contacts producers had per year with Extension was 18. Producers following recommended management and production practices, (i.e., those appearing to be doing the best job) averaged two to six more contacts with Extension than others. 5. The largest producers, those with 100 or more breeding age females in their herds, averaged 47 contacts with Extension. 6. Full-time farmers had a higher percent of calves born within a 45 day period. Producers with fewer than 25 cows in breeding herds reported 58 percent of their calves born within 45 days while those with 100 cows and over had only 49 percent of their calves born within 45 days. 7. Producers following research verified recommended practices had a higher percent of calves born within 45 days than others. 8. Purebred breeders and full-time farmers reported heavier average weights for feeder calves sold at weaning, producers in medium and large size herds reported heavier weights than smaller producers. 9. Producers following recommended production and management practices achieved heavier weights for feeder calves sold at weaning than did producers not using recommended practices. Implications also were drawn and recommendations made for use of findings and further research.

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