Young Cattlemen gain knowledge from summer camp

4-H members visiting Cracker Land and Cattle. -Photo: UF/IFAS

By Erin Dasher, Livestock Agent UF/IFAS Suw County

During the week of June 4th-7th 4-H members with an interest in the Florida Cattle Industry participated in camp focused on the segments of the industry. Moos on the MOOVE took a journey through a variation of different segments of the cattle industry including cow/calf, marketing, preconditioning, finishing, and seedstock.

Participants began by learning the history of the industry in Florida, learning Florida is truly the first cattle state with cattle arriving to the state in 1521 by the Spanish. From 1521 to now the industry has evolved and we are happy to be home to the largest cow/calf operation in the nation. Participants learned that over 400,000 calves are shipped out of Florida each year and all the segments play a vital role in making the industry what it is today.

Throughout the week participants were able to visit different agricultural operations to gain hands on experience from ranchers directly.
On Tuesday, we traveled to the Townsend Livestock Market for participants to learn how cattle are auctioned through our industry.
On Wednesday, we got to see the beginning stages of developing cattle embryos, a deep dive tour into the UF Beef Teaching Unit, and the Animal Science Department. Participants also visited Southeastern Semen Services to see the process of preparing cattle semen to be used in artificial insemination programs.

On Thursday, we began our day at Usher Land and Timber, a cattle operation in Chiefland, Fl. This operation is unique as it serves as a cow/calf operation, seedstock providing bulls to other producers, and a precondition operation by feeding young, weaned calves getting them ready to make their way into a larger feeding facility.

In the afternoon, we visited Cracker Land and Cattle, a preconditioning operation that purchases cattle from the livestock markets and local producers. They sort and unify cattle in large groups to fill order producers are looking for from the Midwest.

On Friday, we visited Circle G Angus a registered angus operation that raises and sells bulls to cattle producers. We also stopped at Blackwater Cattle Company, this operation raises and sells replacement heifers for cattle producers to use in their herds to replace cattle that are no longer producing calves adequately.

Camp participants were able to gain knowledge to bring back into their herds and advance their operations. If you are interested in learning more about the cattle industry, feel free to call the UF/IFAS Extension Office at 386-362-2771 for information.

4-H members learning about the cattle industry. UF/IFAS Photo