(11/09/21) LAFAYETTE, La. — The LSU AgCenter recognized 20 new graduates from the Louisiana Master Cattleman program at a ceremony Nov. 1.

The group of students who hailed from six Acadiana parishes participated in the 10-week program that included instruction in all aspects of beef production, including pasture management, animal handling, finance, marketing and Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) guidelines.

Since the program’s statewide inception in 2004, AgCenter agents Stan Dutile, of Lafayette Parish, and Andrew Granger, of Vermilion Parish, have hosted the Louisiana Master Cattleman class 10 times. Granger said the class serves as an introduction to beef production in Louisiana.

“The class offers a broad base of knowledge that they can apply as they raise their cattle,” Granger said. “Hopefully, they are more efficient producers and help the industry be sustainable because of what we teach them.”

“I’ve learned so much that’s going to be valuable information in raising cattle, in how to grade them, in the quality of hay and weed control,” said Rosann Williford, a longtime beef cattle operator from Breaux Bridge.

Kim Louviere, a resident of St. Martin Parish, said buying property adjacent to her home with aspirations of raising cattle in the future prompted her to join the class.

“I never put that much thought into a cow in a pasture,” Louviere said. “I learned a lot because I had no clue about cattle.”

With completion of the Master Cattlemen program, the graduates can opt to participate in the Advanced Master Cattleman course, which Granger said is designed to further explore the practicalities of beef cattle production.

Graduates of the 2021 Louisiana Master Cattlemen from Acadia Parish are Greg Richard and Dorthea Wilson. Graduates from Iberia Parish include Phyllis Berard, Marc Berard, Landon LeBlanc and Anne Patout. Lafayette Parish graduates are Richard Ball, Cory Glaude and Fernando Santiago. From St. Landry Parish are Angela Catalon and Calvin Catalon. St. Martin Parish graduates include Kim Louviere, Rosann Williford, Troy Rue and Faye Talbot. From Vermilion Parish are Kenneth Primeaux Sr., Kenneth Primeaux Jr., Chase Berard, Bradley Choate and Emma Granger.

The 2021 Acadiana Master Cattlemen graduates include, seated, from left, Kim Louviere, St. Martin Parish; Rosann Williford, St. Martin Parish; Phyllis Berard, Iberia Parish; and Angela Catalon, St. Landry Parish. Standing, from left, Kenneth Primeaux Sr., Vermilion Parish; Kenneth Primeaux Jr., Vermilion Parish; Marc Berard, Iberia Parish; Chase Berard, Vermilion Parish; Calvin Catalon, St. Landry Parish; and LSU AgCenter agent Stan Dutile, Lafayette Parish. Not pictured are Richard Ball, Lafayette Parish; Bradley Choate, Vermilion Parish; Cory Glaude, Lafayette Parish; Emma Granger, Vermilion Parish; Landon LeBlanc, Iberia Parish; Anne Patout, Iberia Parish; Greg Richard, Acadia Parish; Troy Rue, St. Martin Parish; Fernando Santiago, Lafayette Parish; Faye Talbot, St. Martin Parish; and Dorthea Wilson, Acadia Parish. Photo by Derek Albert/LSU AgCenter