Hands-On Workshops: Building Confidence, Skills and Leadership of Women Cattle Producers

1. Hands-On Workshops:Building Confidence, Skills and Leadership of Women Cattle Producers

2. Introduction and overview

3. Women’s Cattle Training Objectives • To provide a non-intimidating atmosphere for learning. • To enhance the skills & confidence of women cattle producers. • Improve relationships and networking among producers. • To increase female producer activity in Extension programs.

4. Support • Grant Funding • NCCA Assessment • Southern Risk Management (Nov 8, 2014) • NCBA (Phase 2) • Location of Workshops • NCSU BEU (Butner), CEFS (Goldsboro), • UPRS (Reidsville), WNC Livestock Arena with the help of Waynesville Research Station Crew (Canton).

5. Application for Attendance • Women were asked to submit an application to be selected. • Workshops had limited space.

6. Why would you like to attend the workshop? • Common reasons include: • I need to become a more confident “farmhand” • My family has begun a generational transition, with my (father, uncle or grandfather) relinquishing the herd management and recordkeeping to me.

7. Female Producer Training (Phase 1) • First Workshop was a 1 d training • Held on April 6, 2011 NCSU Beef Education Unit • 21Female Producers Attended • 15 with 0-5 yrs experience • 3 with 6-10 yrs experience • 3 with 10+ yrs experience • Topics covered were both in class and hands-on learning.

8. Female Producer Training (Phase 1) • Additional Workshops in 2012, 2014

9. Classroom Topics Discussed • Becoming a Leader in the Cattle Industry • Bryan Blinson, NC Cattlemen’s Director • Animal Welfare and Low Stress Handling • Dr. Mark Alley / Dr. Harrison Dudley (DVM) discussed proper ways of handling cattle.

10. Phase 1- Hands-On Training • Reproduction Management: • pregnancy check, dystocia problems • Pasture Walk: • Identify weeds and grasses, grazing management, fencing, how to read soil and forage analysis, etc. • Low Stress Animal Handling: Using body techniques instead of voice • Introductory Beef Quality Assurance: • deworm, vaccinations, age by looking at teeth, castration

14. Evaluation Results

15. Comparison of Knowledge Before and After the Training Scale: 1=Very Low, 2= Low, 3= Moderate, 4= High, 5= Very High (P<0.01)

16. Additional Questions • What is your main challenge or constraint when working with cattle? • “Old ways” vs. New or Different Ideas • Improper Equipment • Lack of knowledge and experience • Patience of family members for my inexperience. • My husband!

17. Additional Comments from Participants • What did you like most about the training? • All Women, doing the clinics in small numbers • Hands-on training, new ideas, very knowledgeable instructors. • Attendees had various skill levels…We all learned together.

18. Additional Comments from Participants • What did you like least about the training? • Not long enough • Travel distance

19. Outcome of Phase 1 • Additional Workshops for Women • Track NCCA memberships

20. Phase 2-Training • In 2013- Three 2 d trainings held across the state • Workshop limited to 16 participants • 55 Registered- 37 Female Producers Attended • 23 with 0-5 yrs experience • 3 with 6-10 yrs experience • 11 with 10+ yrs experience • 1 Veterinarian, 1 Vet. Technician, 4 Vet. Students • Topics covered were both in class and hands-on learning.

21. Classroom Topics Discussed • Becoming a Leader in the Cattle Industry • Bryan Blinson, NC Cattlemen’s Director • BQA lecture and Certification Training • BQA Record Keeping

22. Hands-On Topics • Beef Quality Assurance Chute-Side: • deworm, vaccinations, age by looking at teeth, eartag, halter • Truck & Trailer Safety: • Assess the truck & trailer before hauling, change tire, • Obstacle course in backing up a trailer (bumper pull & gooseneck) • Tractor Safety: • Safety demonstration • Obstacle course in driving the tractor and moving haybales

26. Evaluation Results (Phase 2)

27. Comparison of Knowledge Before and After the Training Scale: 1=Very Low, 2= Low, 3= Moderate, 4= High, 5= Very High (P<0.01)

28. Evaluation Questions • What is your main challenge or constraint when working with cattle? • Not being confident in my ability. This workshop makes me realize to not be fearful & be a “go getter.” Thank you for that. • Afraid to do anything hands on • Find smarter ways to accomplish things that require a lot of strength.

29. Additional Comments from Participants • What did you like most about the training? • The fact that it is female oriented • Small group, all female and hands on (very encouraging teachers) • I like the “no stress” instruction! I like the quality of the program and the location. • The patience from the instructors and quality answers given when questions were asked. Loved the hands-on part!

30. Additional Comments from Participants • How could this training be improved? • How to hook up to a hay spear and bushhog • Do a Phase 3 on Fencing • Week long women’s retreat

31. Phase 2 Impact Attendees: 37 • 31 BQA Certified • 25 new members of NCCA (6 already NCCA members)

32. Outcome • Improved female producer interaction and net-working. • Additional Workshops will be conducted • Conduct a NC Needs Assessment for Female Cattle Producers.

33. Panel Discussion “I just want to thank you again for organizing the Cattle Workshop for women. It was a great learning environment and I know that I learned an incredible amount in a short time. I heard so many good comments throughout the workshop. If it were not for your efforts I suspect many of the women in the room would have never had a chance to do many of the things we did. Thanks again for providing a wonderful opportunity for us.” Sylvia Blankenship, producer and NCSU-CALS Associate Dean of Administration