- Will some of our educators of the future need to be DVM’s? Issues related to animal care and health have long been a part of our extension program from a producer perspective. However, these same topics are increasingly important to the consumer, public policy representatives, and community preparedness planners. Pre-harvest food safety is also receiving greater emphasis.
- How does the beef educator of the future respond to the information needs of consumers? Will beef educators need to invest time in animal agriculture literacy, food safety, or direct marketing from a consumer perspective? If so, what skill set will be necessary for this group of educators?
- During the 1990’s, the animal industry lost their social license to manage their environmental affairs due to their inattention to this issue. Prescriptive public policy resulted. In the 2010’s, the animal industry is at risk of losing its social license for managing animal care and growth enhancement technologies. Will Extension need to be actively leading efforts to encourage social responsibility among animal producers?
- Are there entrepreneurial opportunities in beef production? Direct marketing to consumers and targeted services supporting more traditional production systems may provide future opportunities for young people to enter the beef industry and families to provide opportunities for the next generation. Will Extension be a pro-active educator on entrepreneurial opportunities in beef production?
- How will changes in our climate impact beef extension programs of the future? Range sustainability, alternative feeds, and economics of critical ranching decisions necessary to respond to changes in our climate are a few examples of critical issues being experienced by today's beef producers.
Below
are my thoughts on critical issues for the future of beef systems as well as the
skill sets essential for educators to lead educational experiences addressing
these issues. I
invite faculty to add reactions, suggestions, and modifications to this blog
for the ideas presented below.
Table
2. Potential areas of emphasis, skill
sets, and critical issues for Beef Systems Educators.
Focused Educator Title
|
Critical Issues
|
Skill Set
|
Animal/Range Science
|
Genetic advancement
of beef herd
Feed alternatives
and cost.
Sustainable
management of range and pasture.
Systems based
decisions for management of reproductive herd.
Agricultural water
quality issues associated with confined and pasture feeding.
Quality assurance
principles for protecting animal well-being and quality of meat product.
|
Animal and/or range science skills
|
Veterinary science
|
Animal health
Quality assurance
principles for protecting animal well-being and quality of meat product.
Pre-harvest
management of e coli and other pathogenic organisms.
Animal
agro-security - Rural community planning for protection of animal and people
health from animal and zoonotic disease.
|
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
|
Economic risk management
|
Management of beef
production costs and risk including volatile conditions such as climate, feed
cost, and commodity price.
Land issues (rental
rates, ownership transition)
Adding new profit
centers through entrepreneurial approaches and accessing of high value
markets.
Economics of
alternative feeds including winter grazing of cattle on corn residues.
Farm Bill
understanding and participation.
|
Agricultural economics
Business planning, development, and marketing
|
Consumer Issues
|
Animal agriculture
literacy.
Animal care and
well being
Food safety
including use of feed additives such as antibiotics and growth promotants.
Alternative
production systems.
Environmental
stewardship
Direct marketing –
producer to consumer.
|
Animal science.
Communications, marketing, and media competencies.
|
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