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Iowa State University, Ames 50010 and Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
Abstract
In its educational role the Cooperative Extension Service performs many functions. It transmits information from researchers to people and relays the peoples' problems to the researchers. It interprets, disseminates and encourages practical use of knowledge. It is an agency for change. As a result of educational efforts by Extension Animal Science specialists, animals are healthier, fed more balanced diets, convert feed to produce more efficiently and provide a higher quality, more wholesome, animal product for human consumption than 25 yr ago, at less cost to consumers. Swine producers have substituted capital for labor and shifted to more expensive labor saving life-cycle swine buildings. As researchers developed new technology, Extension specialists transferred new information and hastened the application of new developments to help solve problems on pork producers' farms. The goal of these programs has been to help farmers produce a quality pork product more efficiently. Today 75% of the cattle slaughtered are grain fed. Giant commercial feedlots have developed in the plains, and Southwestern areas of the country. The number of farmer feeders has declined dramatically and output per cow-calf unit has increased substantially. Performance testing of bulls and other objective selection methods of seed stock selection have improved cattle performance. Today the commercial cow-calf producer can wean 200-d old calves weighing (250 to 320 kg). In the feedlot these cattle will gain 1.35 kg/d, be ready for slaughter at 14 to 17 mo of age, yield a 320 to 365 kg high cutability carcass. Extension has played a key role in transferring research information and creating awareness of improvement needs that has resulted in these changes. The sheep industry moved forward as a result of a national plan, Blueprint For Progress. The goals are to double sheep output by marketing heavier lambs, increasing lambs produced per ewe, and increasing the size of breeding herds. Extension specialists gave major leadership and direction to its implementation. Meat specialists have been added to Extension Animal Science staffs the last 25 yr. Their efforts have increased producers' knowledge of meat quality and improved consumer knowledge and meat buyer skills. Livestock producers receive information from many sources. Livestock specialists are obligated and privileged to be objective in their analyses and recommendations. Producers expect university personnel to present an unbiased evaluation of products and systems and to assist them in the evaluation of various alternatives. Extension has supplemented its delivery system with regional publications and handbooks, television, computers and by training agribusiness people who in turn extend their information. The working environment will be one of continual change and the rate of change will accelerate with the knowledge explosion and improved communication capability. Extension will be challenged to provide useful information and programs to its clientele.
Key Words: Specialization • Service • Extension • Production Efficiency • Performance Testing • Education
1 Extension Livestock Specialist, Dept. Anim. Sci., Iowa State Univ.
2 Extension Livestock Specialist, Dept. Anim. Sci., Purdue Univ.
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