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Master Range Cattle Managers to Integrated Resource Management Groups to Sustainable Learning Communities

Adele Harty

Summary

South Dakota cow/calf producers are typically excellent production managers, but often lack aptitude, skills, or tools to manage marketing, financial and production risk. Many have recognized this and are motivated to improve their risk management skills. Through the Master Range Cattle Manager (MRCM) Programs in 3 locations (Bison, Sturgis and Wall), producers were trained to identify their sources of risk and develop their risk management ability. Upon completion of MRCM, numerous participants wanted to continue to learn and develop their toolbox for managing risk, which lead to the development of Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Groups in Wall and Sturgis. These groups focused primarily on record keeping, specifically beef cattle performance, grazing, and financial records, with a focus on creating computerized records and how to utilize them to make risk-averse management decisions. Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) was another component of the IRM curriculum, however until detailed production and financial records are available, the effectiveness of this tool is limited. The overall goal of this program is to have IRM and MRCM groups become self-sustaining and self-directed so that they can continue to learn, grow, and manage risk on their operations. Due to group dynamics, different challenges presented themselves, but the Sturgis group has self-formed a learning community to continue sharing and growing with each other as well as an ongoing opportunity for SDSU Extension to reach out and teach. The use of technology in coordinating and disseminating information has been an effective teaching tool utilized by SDSU Extension.

Details

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