The University Of Tennessee Sevier County Extension Office has scheduled the 2011 Master Beef Producers class.
The class will start on January 8 and conclude on Feb. 5. Cost for the 12 session class is $175, but the Tennessee Enhancement funds will pay $100 of the cost through a scholarship. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, producers must register their farms with the National Animal Identification System and have completed the Beef Quality Assurance course.
The Master Beef Producer Program is an educational program designed to help Tennessee cow-calf producers improve management skills and profitability and to ultimately help raise industry competitiveness with other states.  
The 12-session course, led by a team of University of Tennessee Extension Agents and specialists, covers business planning, marketing, genetics, feeding and forage, health management and cattle reproduction.
If the increased profits enjoyed by those who become Master Beef Producers isn’t reason enough, Tennessee cattlemen will soon have another reason to participate in the Master Beef program. Next year, producers who complete the Master Beef course will be eligible for a larger slice of cost share under the Cattle Improvement Initiative.”
Tennessee cattle producers who become Master Beef Producer certified will be eligible for reimbursement of 50 percent, up to $1,000, for genetic improvements in their herds.  Certified producers will also be eligible to receive a 50 percent reimbursement, up to $1,250, for improvements to their cattle handling facilities. In the current round of cost share disbursements, approved producers get a 35 percent cost share up to $700 on genetics and up to $850 on handling equipment.
To be eligible for the 50 percent reimbursements next year, beef producers should take advantage of this Master Beef Producers class. It will be the only class held in the area this year. To register for this class or to get additional information about attending this class, contact the Sevier County Extension office. You can reach us at 453-3695 or wabruhin@utk.edu
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