Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1979

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Robert S. Dotson

Committee Members

Cecil Carter Jr., Haley M. Jamison

Abstract

This survey-type study concerned some characteristics and management practices of selected Tennessee cow-calf producers in 1976-1977. It was conducted: (a) To determine some of the characteristics of selected Tennessee cow-calf producers by size of herd categories; (b) To find which research-verified management practices, the producers were using and not using in size of herd categories; (c) To study Extension contacts by means of which producers got their information; and (d) To study relationship between producer use of recommended beef and pasture practices and contacts with Extension. The beef producers interviewed were divided into three production groups according to size of herd categories: 114 Large producers in 10 counties; 567 Medium producers in 29 counties, and 274 Small producers in 18 counties. Main comparisons of data were made between Large and Small production groups.

Characteristics of producers and their herds in 57 counties included the following: (1) Producers averaged 21.1 years of beef production on their farms; (2) They were 50.2 years of age; (3) They had 47.6 breeding cows in the herd; (4) They kept 2.2 bulls in the herd; (5) They had raised 43.6 calves; (6) They had 129.1 farm acres; (7) They kept 48.8 breeding females in the herd; and (8) They had 43.8 cov/s weaning calves, 1976-1977. Large producers averaged more than Small producers except on age of respondent.

Regarding management practices, most producers were: (1) Vaccinating calves for blacklet and malignant edema. (2) Allowing cows free access to mineral mixture. (3) Providing cows with magnesium oxide to prevent grass tetany; (4) Stockpiling fescue; (5) Using grub/lice control; (6) Maintaining adequate working facilities; (6) Waiting until heifers were more than 15 months when breeding; (7) Waiting until heifers were more than 650 pounds before breeding; (8) Checking their cows more than once daily; (9) Castrating calves before four months; and (10) Worming cows at least once a year. On most practices. Large producers had higher percents using them than Small producers excepting on stockpiling of fescue.

With regard to Extension contacts by which producers got their information, producers averaged 19 total Extension contacts consisting of six telephone calls to the Extension office, four visits to the Extension office, four Extension general meetings attended, four farm visits by the Extension agents, and one beef Extension meeting attended the previous year. Little difference was found between Large and Small producers.

Thirteen of 14 recommended beef production practices and 17 of 18 pasture practices were found to be significantly related to one or more kind of Extension contact.

Eleven weak practices needing educational program emphasis were identified for Large and 14 for Small producers needing educational program emphasis. Recommendations for use of findings and further study were included.

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