Thanks to Cattle Market Mobile for sponsoring the snacks for each class!
January 9, 2025
Feed Lot Series, Movie Night-Ag Pavilion 6:30pm
January 16, 2025
Gypsum Soil Fertility, Jin Satterfield (ProGyp Rep) -Ag Pavilion 6:30pm
January 23, 2025
Reproduction Efficiency, Sarah Orr, UT Extension Agent -Ag Pavilion 6:30pm (counts as double)
January 24 & 25, 2025
TN Cattlemen’s Association Convention- Murfreesboro, TN
January 30, 2025
Quick-N-Big Crabgrass-Ag Pavilion 6:30pm
February 12-15, 2025
National Farm Machinery Show-Louisville, KY
February 20, 2025
Stress Class ( Handle It!), Jacklyn Blair/Anthony Carver -Ag Pavilion 6:30pm (counts double)
February 27, 2025
Dollars Used Wisely on Farm, Ty Wolaver UT Manage Agent-Ag Pavilion 6:30pm
March 6, 2025
End Producr BEEF, Anthony Carver-Ag Pavilion 6:30pm (counts double)
April 2025
Beef Summit, Athens, TN (TBA)
June 2025
Soil Conservation Field Day (TBA)
August 21, 2025
Calf Management (Growing Them Right), Anthony Carver -Ag Pavilion 6:30pm
September 25, 2025
Equipment & TEAP Grants-Grainger County Farmers’ CO-OP
October 1-7, 2025
TEAP Grant signup period
October 2025
Northeast Beef Expo- 8:00am Greeneville Research Center (TBA)
November 2025
Grainger County Livestock Association Meeting- To be announced
All programs are open to anyone interested. These classes will count for credit for the TN Master Beef (producer must attend 6 classes). For more information contact Anthony Carver at the Grainger County Extension Office at 865-828-3411.
The TN Master Beef Producer Program is an educational program designed to continue providing information to the beef producers of Tennessee. There have been 2 other names for the program in the past, but the goal is to deliver profit-making education to our producers. Nearly 12,000 Tennessee cattle producers have participated in the 1st level program. The “Advanced” level provided even more topics and events. The program has seen changes, but it will always provide education to improve producers’ profitability, knowledge, and marketing of their beef herd. Anyone, whether they attended any other level of the program or not, can attend the TN Master Beef Producer Program. The program is recognized as one of the most successful beef educational programs in the country. This is a three-year certification.
Beef Classes will be held in Grainger County each year. These classes are open to the public for educational and will count towards an TN Master Beef Producer certificate. There will be several classes throughout the year. Producers are asked to attend at least 6 of the classes to be certified. A roster will be at every beef-related class. At the end of the year, producers who have attended the required classes can pay the TNMBP fee and receive a certificate that will be good for 3 years.
If you are unsure when you took the UT Master Beef Producer Course, please contact your local UT Extension Agent under which the course was conducted.
This program covers the basics of managing cattle. Nutrition, vaccinations, and safe handling is the major focus of this program. Participants will be certified for 3 years as a Beef Quality Assurance producer. This certification is required for some special sales and for the TAEP grant program. There is a small fee for this hour-long class. This program is in partnership with the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association.
Producers who want to be involved attend local meetings. The annual members drive is always held in the fall of each year. Extension is a strong partner with the Grainger County Livestock Association. Anyone who wants more information please call the Extension Office or follow the link below.
Fire Ant Treatment for Agricultural
Cattle Production Systems, Pastures and Rangeland Management Strategies
NON-CHEMICAL
Nonchemical or cultural control methods can reduce losses while maintaining a stable ant population that will help suppress other pests (lone star ticks, filth-breeding flies, etc.) and deter the multiple queen form.
CHEMICAL
Chemical treatment can suppress fire ants in pastureland for $10 to $15 per acre per year. Chemical treatments do not eradicate fire ants, and the treatments need to be repeated periodically. Some bait-formulated insecticides also affect native ant species that compete with fire ants. However, in areas with 20 or more mounds per acre, using baits as part of the Two-Step Method method may be justified. In the Two-Step Method, a fire ant bait is broadcast once or twice a year. These treatments can kill up to 90 percent of the colonies within several weeks to several months. Hydramethylnon bait (AmdroPro) takes 2 to 3 weeks and the effects last for months or until ants re-infest the treated area. Insect growth regulator (IGR) baits containing pyriproxyfen (Esteem) require 6 to 8 weeks to see notable results. The IGR, s-methoprene (Extinguish registered for pastures), require 8 to 12 weeks. Metabolic inhibitor or other faster-acting , non-IGR baits usually provide several months of control. Insect growth regulators usually provide 6-12 months of control depending on the time it takes new fire ant queens to re-invade the area. To provide faster control than you get with an IGR, yet longer-lasting control than you obtained with a faster-acting bait, you can mix the two types of baits together at half rates or use Extinguish Plus, a commercial mixture of hydramethylnon and s-methoprene. The second step in the Two-Step Method is to treat individual mounds that are a particular nuisance. Products containing carbaryl or Sevin are registered as fire ant mound drenches for pastures. Once the broadcast bait treatment has taken effect few individual mounds should need to be treated. Always read and follow the instructions on the product’s label. A list of products registered for fire ants in Tennessee’s pastures can be found in UT Extension’s PB 1690 Insect and Plant Disease Control Manual.
BIOLOGICAL
There is great hope that in the future fire ant populations will be suppressed through the release of natural enemies from their native habitats in South America. One type of parasite being investigated is a phorid fly that develops inside the heads of ants. In theory, adult phorid flies looking for worker fire ant hosts suppress ant foraging and allow native ant species to compete more successfully with fire ants. Several phorid species have been released in Tennessee and are established.
Pasture & Hay Field Weed Control Fact Sheet
Controlling Buttercup in Pastures and Hay Fields
Spring Weed ID & Control Video
Summer Weed ID & Control
Goats and Sheep are also numerous in the county. The majority of the small ruminates are used for meat production. In the past, Master Meat Goat and Sheep Programs have been held. Classes are offered in the region and some field days focus on improving production. Here is a list of some publications that can help:
Goat Pasture & Hay Field Guidelines
The Best Time to Market Sheep and Goats
Vaccination Protocol for a Goat Herd
Herd Health Program for Meat Goats
Managing Internal Parasitism in Sheep and Goats
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Executive/Administrative, Community Economic Development