University of Idaho Beef 101/201 Website:
https://www.uidaho.edu/cals/beef/extension/beef101
Beef 201: Pacific Northwest Beginning Rancher Development Program Overview (May 2025)
Thank you for your interest, please stay tuned for more details!
Previous Workshops:
Beef 101: Pacific Northwest Beginning Rancher Development Program Overview (May and July 2024)
Who: Cattle Ranchers in the Pacific Northwest Region
Goal: Provide beginning cattle ranchers with useful knowledge and resources to increase success in livestock operation
Format: Series of 3 days (or less) in-person hands on workshops
Capacity: 30 attendees per workshop
Fee: $20 equipment fee up front (participants will receive equipment such as boning knives)
Locations: Multiple workshops across the Pacific Northwest Region to reduce participants’ travel time and cost. Travel and lodging scholarships are available for participants.
Workshop Topics:
· Beef Quality Assurance and Animal Health
o Beef Quality Assurance Training and Certification
o Low stress animal handling techniques
o Different equipment requirements and facility designs for proper animal husbandry
o Conduct cattle health examination
o Vaccination protocols; symptoms and treatment options for sick cattle
o Assist in difficulties during calving
Bonus (offered for returning participants)
§ Advanced Animal Health Workshop (Reproductive anatomy and breeding protocols)
§ A low stress sorting tool for participants
· Nutrition and Resource Management
o Basics of ruminant digestive system
o Nutritional requirements of cattle in the Pacific Northwest
o Basic ration formulation
o Knowledge on rotational grazing, proper stocking density for environmental sustainability
o Producing feed with your current facility (such as hay production) to control costs
o Tour of grazing and haying operations
Bonus:
§ Free feed sample analysis for participants
§ A “Grazing Stick” to determine grass growth and stocking densities at home
· Cattle Evaluation and Beef Fabrication
o Evaluate cattle based on muscle, fat/finish, structure, balance/eye appeal and volume
o Breeding selection and genetic selection information (Expected Progeny Differences)
o Cattle Body Condition Scoring
o Cattle harvest and fabrication demonstration; sensory evaluation of various beef cuts
o Tour a commercial, USDA–inspected beef packing plant in Central Washington or Southern Idaho
Bonus:
§ Free genetic testing for 3 herd bulls or cows for participants
· Finance and Marketing
o Different market strategies to improve overall sales
o Improve prices at livestock market auction
o Record keeping (QuickBooks, Excel)
o Generate statements such as profit and loss, cost of production per animal and on farm inventory
o Risk management (market dynamics, balancing assets with debt)
o Funding assistance (Farm Service Agency, AgWest, Natural Resources Conservation Service)
Bonus:
§ Examples of enterprise budges will be provided to build your own throughout the workshop
§ Resources on grant writing and requests for financial assistance
· Transitional Planning Workshop:
o Information to guide a family succession plan
o Skills to communicate across generations and for conflict resolution
Bonus:
§ Participants will be provided with resources to determine fair market values of operations in preparation for estate planning with senor generations
· Leadership and Advocacy Workshop:
o Develop skills to communicate and promote the cattle industry
o Increase involvement with associations and leadership opportunities
o Share industry updates, policy changes, and current issues
Bonus:
§ Opportunities to practice advocacy via social media, in-person conversation, and other platforms
· Networking and Mentorship:
o Beginning ranchers will meet experienced ranchers to find industry mentors (10+ years of ranching experience in the same region)
o Participants can shadow their mentor to see other facilities and learn other cattle management techniques
o Mentors will be a resource for participants to answer questions, making contacts