Wednesday, September 29, 2010 11:48 am

Beginning on November, producers have the opportunity to participate in a Master Beef Producer Class. The Master Beef Producer Program will be hosted by the Cannon County Extension office.

We plan to finish the course prior to the Tennessee Enhancement Program reimbursement deadline of December 1, 2010 for Livestock Feed Storage and Livestock Equipment. Completion of this course will allow producers to increase their cost share maximums from 35% to 50%. Please contact the Cannon County Extension before October 11 to enroll in the Fall Master Beef Producer Class.

Producers enrolling in the Master Beef Producer program will receive instruction on 12 topics that focus on cow-calf production, marketing and issues facing the beef industry.  You will also receive a 208 page “Tennessee Master Beef Producers Manual” that corresponds to the topics taught in the sessions.  This manual will be used as a study manual during the course and for your future reference.

Following completion of the course, you will be awarded a “certificate,” a Master Beef Producer cap and Master Beef Producer sign that can be mounted near the entrance to your farm.

The cost of the program is $150. Fortunately, thru the Tennessee Ag Enhancement program, a $100 scholarship is provided. This scholarship will reduce the cost of the program to $50.00. To qualify for the scholarship, you must have a “Premise ID Number” as well as be a “Beef Quality Assurance” (BQA) Certified producer and complete the Master Beef Producer Program.

To enroll in the Master Beef Producer Program, contact the Cannon County Extension Office at 563-2554, or drop by the Office at 614 Lehman Street. The cost of the program is $50. Enrollment deadline is October 11 and we must have 15 enrollees to conduct the class.