Agriculture – Beef

UT Extension Beef Programs

Over 23,000 certifications have been issued for the Master Beef Producer Program, The program is designed to leverage success into an even more productive beef industry in Tennessee by improving profitability, position in the industry, and to be competitive with other states. The Tennessee Master Beef Producer Program uses a combination of hands-on experiences and classroom teaching. Individual sessions will be delivered by your local UT Extension Office.

Time and date for the 2023/2024 class will be announced.

How do I Register for this program?

  1. Fill out the form below and return to the UT Extension Sumner County office or e-mail completed form to Eryn Bell at ebell@utk.edu
  2. Remit payment ($100, cash or check) to UT Extension Sumner County. (658 Hartsville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066)

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) does more than just help beef producers capture more value from their market cattle: BQA also reflects a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. When producers implement the best management practices of a BQA program, they assure their market steers, heifers, cows, and bulls are the best they can be. Today, the stakes are even higher because of increased public attention on animal welfare. BQA is valuable to all beef and dairy producers because it:

  • Demonstrates commitment to food safety and quality.
  • Safeguards the public image of the dairy industry.
  • Upholds consumer confidence in valuable beef products.
  • Improves sale value of marketed beef cattle.
  • Enhances herd profitability through better management.

Beef Checkoff supported BQA programs bring it all together. While the BQA Manual provides a framework for program consistency, the states still determine the best programs for their producers.

BQA Certification

  • Allows you to apply for the Tennessee Agriculture Enhancement
  • Great Education Resource
  • $30 for TN Cattlemen’s Members, $50 for non-members

The Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP) was established in 2005 to provide cost share dollars to agricultural producers for the purpose of making long-term investments in Tennessee farms and communities. Participation allows producers to maximize farm profits, adapt to changing market situations, improve operation safety, increase farm efficiency, and make a positive economic impact in their communities.

More than $185 million has been invested in 62,942 producer projects from 2005 through 2019. Each TAEP dollar generates $6.09 in local economies.

Paper applications are available now in the Sumner County Office. Online applications will be available at the following link from October 1 – October 7. https://www.tn.gov/agriculture/farms/taep.html

At time of application turn in you must have BQA certification (see tab above) to receive 35% cost share. At time of reimbursement you must also have Advanced Master Beef Certification to receive 50% cost share.

Create a strong business foundation to make better decisions for your farm’s future!

The Tennessee Master Farm Manager focuses on solid business principles to help you better manage your operation. We will focus on helping you utilize resources on your farm efficiently. 

The Tennessee Master Farm Manager Program reported $109,170 economic impact for Sumner County.

The Tennessee Beef Heifer Development Program is to incentivize the repopulation of the beef herd through custom heifer development. It will be accomplished by the implementation of management practices with access to more productive replacement females allowing for more rapid expansion of Tennessee’s beef herd. This will improve the longevity of these females, decreasing turnover and providing for exponential improvement in genetics and associated revenue generation.

A.I. Insemination Certification is a partnership of the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, the University of Tennessee Department of Animal Science, and Southeast Select Sires to add value to cattle production through improved reproductive management.

The UT Bull Testing Station is jointly sponsored by UT Extension, UT AgResearch, and the Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Association.

  • Provides a standard, impartial post-weaning gain test that furnishes records useful to the consignor in his breeding program;
  • Provides a source of and market for completely performance-tested bulls; and
  • Serves as an educational tool for beef cattle improvement and promotion.

The Bull Test Station is located at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center at Spring Hill and in cooperation with Tennessee Extension. Data on individual bulls will be available prior to the sale, and prospective buyers may view bulls at the annual Open House, as well as on a video that will be made available across the state during the sale so that prospective buyers need not travel to Spring Hill for the actual sale. 


Quick Links

Budgeting Your Beef

Cattle Management: A Word from the Wise

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