Arkanas Beef Improvement Program—An Integrated Resource Management Program for Cattle Producers

Abstract

The Arkansas Beef Improvement Program (ABIP) uses an integrated resource management approach to enhance efficiency and profitability of cattle producers. An executive committee was created to determine the overall program direction and guidelines. Educational methods used to demonstrate cost-effective beef cattle and forage management practices and transfer knowledge included whole-farm programs, special projects, workshops, Extension agent training, field days, newsletters, and popular press articles. The whole-farm programs demonstrated the importance of managing resources in an integrated management philosophy. Herd break-even decreased 28.2% (P<0.03), average specified cost per animal unit (AU) tended to decrease (P<0.19), mature cow-calf crop percentage tended to increase (P<0.14), and return over specified cost per AU increased 121.7% (P<0.05) from yr 1 to yr 5. Special projects (breeding and calving seasons, replacement heifer development, hay quality, forage testing and supplemental feeding, stockpiled forages, pasture renovation, cow herd performance, and market cow management) addressed specific beef cattle and forage management concerns. Production and financial parameters were measured to evaluate the progress of the whole farm and special projects. A majority of cooperators and Extension agents thought their ABIP experience was most valuable (66 and 57%, respectively), and 100 and 97% of the cooperators and Extension agents, respectively, stated ABIP fulfilled their expectations. The ABIP accomplished its educational objectives and made an impact on cooperators and Extension agents. Surveys affirmed that ABIP should be a high priority Extension program.