Ashley K. Edwards, Jason E. Holmes, A. Lee Faulk and Vince Deshotel

The capability to host workshops, seminars, field days and other in-person events has historically been fundamental in demonstrating hands-on management techniques and fostering communication with livestock producers. However, when faced with the inability to hold these events during the COVID-19 pandemic, LSU AgCenter livestock specialists and agents turned to alternative platforms to ensure continued interaction with producers and industry members. Onset of the pandemic created turmoil in many aspects of life, including the beef cattle industry and markets.

To bring information on management and marketing strategies to cattle producers during a time of such instability, LSU AgCenter specialists and agents hosted a live webinar titled “Sustainability During Turbulent Markets” on April 14, 2020. Success of this initial webinar prompted the creation of the online Beef Brunch Educational Series to maintain engagement with beef cattle producers. Live monthly webinars are hosted monthly, offering producers the opportunity to engage with presenters. Webinars are also recorded and distributed online through the LSU AgCenter website, LSU AgCenter-Livestock YouTube channel and podcast platforms such as Apple, Google and Spotify.

In addition to managing their beef cattle, producers must be proficient managers of their pastures and hay fields. The series in May included a two-part webinar titled “What’s Bugging You?” that discussed control of armyworms and bermudagrass stem maggots and a subsequent discussion of external parasite control in cattle. As hay season progressed in June, weed management practices were reviewed. “Winter Pasture Options” in July assisted with cool-season forage preparation.

To tie in pasture management and beef cattle nutrition, “Grazing Nutrition” was offered in August. September covered tools and strategies for internal parasite management. October’s webinar discussed the benefits of synchronization protocols in herds breeding by natural service. This was complemented by “Tips for Selecting Beef Bulls for Natural Service” in November. “Beef for the Holidays” in December demonstrated the breakdown of a carcass and explained quality and yield grades as well as different cuts consumers might reach for during their holiday meals. The Beef Brunch series is continuing in 2021.

Dynamic markets and numerous weather events created a need to maintain consistent engagement and updates. This led to the addition of biweekly news updates, which began on April 24, 2020, and are now released every other Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. on the same video and podcast platforms as the webinars. They feature weather and pasture conditions across the state, a market outlook for cattle and feedstuffs, management tips, events and current topics in the beef industry.

These webinars average 233 viewers, with a range of 81 to 859. News updates average 87 views with a range of 29 to 280 participants. When asked, 85% of viewers strongly agreed or agreed that information learned in webinars would be applied to their operations. Agents also utilize this program for professional development, with 75% agreeing that webinars increased confidence to apply presented knowledge, and 70% stating they have or plan to incorporate news update content in their programming.

Looking ahead, LSU AgCenter livestock specialists and agents will continue the Beef Brunch Educational Series past the COVID-19 pandemic and optimistically develop it into a leading informational source for beef cattle producers in Louisiana. More information on the Beef Brunch Educational Series can be found at www.lsuagcenter.com/beefbrunch.

Ashley K. Edwards is an assistant extension agent in the Central, Northeast and Northwest regions; Jason E. Holmes is the extension livestock specialist in the Northeast Region; A. Lee Faulk is an associate extension agent in the Northwest Region; and Vince Deshotel is an extension agent in the Central Region.

(This article appears in the winter 2021 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.)

With face-to-face meetings not feasible during the pandemic, LSU AgCenter specialists and agents turned to new ways of reaching cattle producers online, including monthly webinars, which have attracted up to 859 viewers at one session. Evaluations show the cattle producers are learning from the sessions and applying what they learn to their cattle operations. Photo by Bruce Schultz