Research and Educational Programs in the Marketing of Livestock

Abstract

HE cornerstone of any good educational program in regard to the marketing of livestock is laid by a carefully organized research program. Each Experiment Station must not only develop such an individual program but must cooperate frequently on regional and national problems with other states as well as with federal and private institutions. Only by such well-planned research programs is it possible to avoid the trial and error method of improving the livestock marketing system. Any research program designed to include all aspects of livestock marketing must contain a series of systematically developed research projects coordinated throughout the nation. Only studies of a general nature can, at present, be carried beyond the state levels as research programs in livestock marketing in most states have not as yet been developed to the point where results can be coordinated on a state, let alone on a regional or national basis. The greatest weakness of research and educational programs of most institutions is their vagueness. Too often research agencies are hindered in carrying out planned research or educational programs because of the necessity to conduct research or some educational program requested by a pressure group, or to carry on emergency work necessitated by some unusual condition, or because of the loss of trained personnel. In addition to this, the characteristics of the livestock industry make the planning of an educational and research program in livestock marketing difficult and workers too often start on some individual project without formulating an overall program. The character of the livestock industry requires an exceedingly complex marketing system. Any discussion of the marketing system must take into consideration the following distinctive features of the livestock industry: 1. The wide distribution of production on thousands of farms and ranches; 2. Transportation requirements in assembling the livestock; 3. The large amount of