Masters Theses

Date of Award

3-1968

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Animal Husbandry

Major Professor

Haley M. Jamison

Committee Members

Charles S. Hobbs, F. F. Bell

Abstract

Macon County, Tennessee, located in the northern section of Middle Tennessee had depended on tobacco as the main source of farm income for many years. To increase farm income, dairying became the second largest source of farm income following World War II. At one time, the year 1950, nearly 80 per cent of the farms produced milk for sale, and about 92 per cent of the farms produced tobacco. These two farm enterprises accounted for about 70 per cent of the total farm income. In the early 1950's industry started moving into Lafayette, the county seat, and farm people became interested in working at industrial jobs to supplement farm income. By 1960 20 per cent of the farms were absorbed by other farmers, and the total number of the dairy farms dropped 50 per cent. Many farmers went from dairy to beef production because they were working an eight hour day at one of the factories in town and did not want to milk cows before going to work and after returning home from work. Prior to this study no previous formal attempt had been made to determine the Macon County beef production and marketing situation in detail to find out the quality of the brood cows and herd bulls and the production practices being carried out. The objectives of this study were: 1. To determine the characteristics of cattlemen using the cow-calf system in high, medium, and low production categories. Cattlemen considered in the high categories had sold calves in 1965 averaging more than 433 pounds for the herd. Cattlemen considered in the medium category had sold calves in 1965 averaging between 383 pounds and 432 pounds. Cattlemen considered in the low category has sold calves in 1965 that averaged between 180 pounds and 382 pounds per head. 2. To ascertain which of certain practices recommended by the University of Tennessee were or were not followed. 3. To determine some of the important factors influencing cattlemen to adopt or not adopt recommended practices. Table 1 shows the number of cattlemen in Macon County using the cow-calf system according to pounds of beef weaned per cow in 1965.

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