“People with 20 to 120 acres need information in a different format than traditional cattle ranchers,” said Roy Ball, Craig County agricultural extension agent.
Creating a way to provide that information is exactly what OCES is trying to accomplish. By developing a relaxed, fun-filled program of facts, valuable information, food and music, extension personnel are hoping to attract the new and inexperienced recreational cattle rancher.
“Extension educators felt there was a group of nontraditional landowners who we just weren’t reaching,” said Kent Barnes, OSU area livestock specialist. “Our information was presented in a format that was too lengthy and detailed for their needs and varied backgrounds.”
“We want to use the same information as before, just repackage and present it in a different format,” said Barnes, Cherokee Prairie program coordinator.
Once the problem was identified, reaching the new target audience became the next obstacle. Extension educators visited county courthouses to obtain names based on the size of a landowner’s known acreage. Barnes said it was not an easy undertaking.
After approximately 6,000 to 7,000 names were identified in Craig, Delaware, Mayes, Ottawa and Rogers counties, each extension agent had to narrow his list to approximately 450 target producers. This final group became the mailing list for the Cherokee Prairie newsletter, an informational piece that focuses on one main aspect of ranching in each edition.
“We are looking at the bottom line,” said Barnes.
Glenn Selk, OSU livestock specialist, said the intention of extension educators is to provide ranchers with basic information in as many formats as possible.
This new type of cattle and ranch enhancement program, specifically geared for the Cherokee Prairie area of northeastern Oklahoma, was designed with the new generation of producers in mind. The program is structured with a special emphasis on providing insights and answers for producers with smaller acreage operations.
“We want to make it easier than ever for smaller producers to access information made available by OSU specialists and researchers,” said Ball. “Practical tips, profitable solutions, presented in an atmosphere of fun, food and facts; that’s what the program is about.”
Many cattle producers on the Cherokee Prairie have two jobs: one in town during the day and the other on the ranch at night. Obviously, this can create serious challenges.
Traditionally, extension meetings and seminars are held during regular business hours. Because many new Cherokee Prairie ranchers hold full-time positions, finding time to attend extension meetings presented a problem.
Barnes said many of these landowners concede that profit isn’t their biggest goal on the farm; these ranchers prefer aesthetic value.
“They are much more concerned about the lifestyle,” said Barnes.
“Ranchers’ (and Spouses’) Night Out” was designed to provide helpful ideas for improving the pastures, the cattle that graze those pastures and the quality of life for the people ranching on the Cherokee Prairie.
Ball said the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has focused on providing straight-forward, unbiased and researched-based answers to important questions that are frequently asked by cattle owners.
During the evening’s events, participants were introduced to three “storefronts” — a feed store, a fertilizer store and a veterinary medicine store. Each store was designed to provide information and answer questions farmers and ranchers face on a daily basis.
When visiting the “feed store,” producers found answers to their questions about what type of livestock feed to use and why.
A trip to the “fertilizer store” answered questions about fertilizers and herbicides, such as how much to apply and when to use them.
An actual veterinarian was on hand at the “veterinary medicine store” to explain the importance of vaccinations, to show how to inject livestock, to demonstrate types of needles to use and to describe possible effects of residues.
Because farming and ranching is often viewed as a family affair, Selk said couples had the option of attending the conference together, so both could learn about the challenges and opportunities involved in the ranching industry.
To date, approximately 300 people have attended the one-evening seminars.
“The conference has been well received,” said Barnes. “The entire purpose of this program is to make our information more readily available to meet these producers’ needs. We also want to market extension.”
The cost of the program is $5 per person. The registration fee includes the cost of the conference, a beef dinner, informational materials and a night of entertainment.
Barnes said he hopes this program will help to move many nontraditional producers into the main stream of traditional extension programs.
“We have a lot to offer,” said Ball. “You’ve got questions; we’ve got solutions.”
For more information about the Cherokee Prairie program, contact your county extension office, or visit the OCES Web site at http://www.dasnr.okstate.edu/cherokeeprairie.