By Steven Huff

Cocke County Agriculture Extension Agent

NEWPORT-The University of Tennessee's Cocke County Extension Office is announcing plans for its 2009 Master Beef Producers class. Producers need to pre-register for the class by Jan. 28.

The class will begin Feb. 12 and conclude April 23. The cost for the 10-session class is $165 but the Tennessee Enhancement funds will pay $100 of the cost through a scholarship. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, producers must register their farms with the National Animal Identification System and have completed the Beef Quality Assurance course.

The Master Beef Producer Program is an educational program designed to help Tennessee cow-calf producers improved management skills and profitability and to ultimately help raise industry competitiveness with other states. The 10-session course, led by a team of UT Extension agents and specialists, covers business planning, marketing, genetics, feeding and forage, health management and cattle reproduction.

If the increased profits enjoyed by those who become Master Beef Producers isn't reason enough, Tennessee cattlemen will soon have another reason to participate in the Master Beef program. Next year, producers who complete the Master Beef course will be eligible for a large slice of cost share under the Cattle Improvement Initiative.

Tennessee cattle producers who become Master Beef Producer certified will be eligible for reimbursement of 50 percent for genetic improvements in their herds. Cattle producers will also be eligible to receive a 50 percent reimbursement for improvement to their cattle handling facilities.

      To be eligible for the 50 percent reimbursements, Cocke County's beef producers should take advantage of the upcoming Master Beef class. It will be the only class held in the county this year. To register for this class or to get additional information about attending it, contact the Cocke County Extension office, located at 360 Main St., inside the Courthouse Annex.

      The office number is (423) 623-7531. You can also send an email to shuff2@utk.edu.