May 29, 2020
‘Farm to Freezer’: upcoming webinar to address basics for beef producers marketing directly to consumers
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Webinar to cover feeding, processing and other aspects specific to direct-to-consumer sales
- Scheduled for June 4, 6:30 p.m. CDT
- No cost to participate
(352 words)
LITTLE ROCK — Locally sourced beef is gaining popularity in Arkansas. As the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic leaves grocery shelves — especially the refrigerated sections — occasionally bare, a growing number of consumers have expressed interest in purchasing their animal protein directly from producers.
Marketing beef off the farm requires more than just loading an animal and hauling it down to the local processor, Shane Gadberry, professor of ruminant nutrition for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said.
“Selling beef locally in the next few months, or even a year from now, requires planning, commitment and advance scheduling,” Gadberry said.
Gadberry, along with several experts from the Division of Agriculture and private enterprises, will present a free webinar, “From Farm to Freezer,” on June 4 at 6:30 p.m. CDT, discussing some of the most important aspects of direct-to-consumer sales for beef producers.
“This webinar will cover the basics of a few need to know ideas for getting started such as feeding, inspection requirements for selling cattle versus beef, and developing a happy customer base,” Gadberry said. “The topics covered will hopefully give our viewers some ideas to think about if they are getting into the local beef business.”
Scheduled speakers and topics include:
• Dr. Shane Gadberry, UA System, Division of Agriculture, Animal Science – Feeding Farm-Raised Cattle for Local Slaughter
• Dr. Janeal Yancey, UA System, Division of Agriculture Animal Science – Carcass Perspective; how much product should I expect?
• Andy Shaw, CEO at Cypress Valley Meat Company – Do’s and Don’ts of a Processing Facility
• Kenny Simon, UA System, Division of Agriculture Animal Science - Alternative Production – Pasture-raised Beef from a Producer Perspective
The webinar is free, but participants must register to join.
Michael Looper, head of the Division of Agriculture’s Animal Science Department, said beef producers, regardless of their experience, can benefit from the webinar.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions in the food chain, resulting in shortages of meat products in some grocery stores,” Looper said. “This scarcity of beef has led some to consider growing their own. This webinar provides the ‘how to’ of feeding the animal to processing the beef.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Ryan McGeeney
Communications Services
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu