July 2019 Articles

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14 graduate from Louisiana Master Cattleman course

14 graduate from Louisiana Master Cattleman course Writer: Karol Osborne at 318-574-2465 or kosborne@agcenter.lsu.edu (06/03/19) JENA, La. — Fourteen cattle producers and industry professionals graduated from a Louisiana Master Cattleman course conducted by the LSU AgCenter recently. The Louisiana Master Cattleman Program is a commodity-specific program designed to help beef producers become more profitable and environmentally sustainable, said Jason Holmes, AgCenter agent in Union Parish and regional livestock specialist. The program, which covers all aspects of beef production, began in 2004. “Our hope for these graduating individuals is they increase farm profitability while becoming proficient in beef cattle best management practices,” said Holmes, who organized the class. Participants must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction on topics including animal health, beef quality assurance, pasture agronomy, weed management, ruminant nutrition, cattle handling, economics and marketing, reproduction, breeding and selection, and end product. Upon graduation, participants are named Master Cattle Producers. Master Cattleman classes are hosted around the state by local AgCenter extension agents. “Our graduates exemplify the commitment our livestock producers have towards producing an economical, safe and acceptable red meat product for consumers,” Holmes said. The Louisiana beef industry in 2017 was valued at $412.2 million according to the AgCenter Ag Summary. The graduates are: – Kim Boyte, Winnsboro. – Joe Cockrell, Grayson. – Eli Cooper, Jena. – Bobby Denton, Jena.– Howard Hogg Jr., Grayson. – Ben Hopkins, Ferriday. – Jay King, Vidalia. – Dustin McAnn, Jena. – Kyle McGuffee, Grayson. – Jeff McKeithen, Columbia. – Julian Thompson, Jonesville. – Vinson Whatley, Trout. – Gary Wilbanks, Jena. – Kevin Wilson, Jena.