14 2017 Southeast Women’s Cattle Handling Program: Alabama Results.

The Southeast Women’s Cattle Handling program was designed to promote self-confidence for women by providing hands-on educational opportunities and cattle handling skills implementing Beef Quality Assurance methods and promoting farm safety. The two-day, hands-on workshop was conducted by Alabama Cooperative Extension educators, local veterinarians, and producers. Participation was limited to 20 females in order to allow time for participants to practice the techniques taught by instructors. Applicants were asked to indicate the reason they would like to attend the workshop via an electronic questionnaire. Of the 26 applicants, 20 responded and indicated that they had either found themselves involved in the family farm through marriage (15%) or as the sole operator through inheritance (20%), the death of a spouse (20%), or chose to purchase their own operation (45%). Topics included 1) keeping reproductive/vaccination records, 2) vaccination techniques, 3) truck & trailer safety/hauling, 4) BQA certification training, 5) tractor & equipment safety, 6) forage species, 7) forage analysis & interpretation, 8) forage pests & management, 9) reproduction & dystocia, and 10) supplementing the cow herd. A pre and post-test was administered to participants (n =19) in order to compare participants’ knowledge before and after the workshop. Comparison of answers using paired t-test showed an increase (P < 0.01) from pre-test (63.5%) to post-test (88.5%) knowledge. A BQA certification pre and post-test was administered to participants (n = 19), which showed an increase (P < 0.01) in passing scores from pre-test (83.2%) to post-test (93.7%). Participants completed an impact evaluation at the conclusion of the workshop where they indicated the probability of implementing the following concepts learned (mean values ± standard deviation) as a result of this program (1 = no; 2 = maybe; 3 = yes; 4 = already doing): keep vaccination/reproductive records (3.6 ± 0.51), use proper vaccination techniques (3.6 ± 0.51), assess truck and trailer before hauling (3.2 ± 0.94), apply low stress handling techniques (3.4 ± 0.51), maintain BQA certification (2.8 ± 0.55), manage forage for quality & pests (3.2 ± 0.43), assess your cow herd using 7 quality checks (3.1 ± 0.24), and forage test (2.9 ± 0.58). The total number of hectares of pasture owned and total number of cattle owned was 1014.5 ha and 1128 hd, respectively. In total, 100% of the participants stated the workshop met their expectations and would recommend this workshop to others.