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VTBeef - Home of the Beef Extension Program at Virginia Tech

VTBeef - Home of the Beef Extension Program at Virginia Tech

Enhancing the profitability and sustainability of beef cattle production systems through enhanced production efficiency and value-added ventures.

Black Angus Sketch

Illustration of an a Black Angus cow from the side.

Upcoming Events

 

Screenshot of the linked flyer for Agribusiness Workshops by the Kohl Centre..
Click the image above to open the pdf.

October 17, 2025
Adding Value in Beef and Dairy Operations
9:00 - 11:30 AM
Agribusiness Workshop by The Kohl Center at Virginia Tech

Location: Farm Credit of the Virginias Harrisionburg Branch

This workshop will focus on how beef and livestock producers can create new income streams through direct marketing, branded meat programs, and differentiated production practices (e.g., grass-fed, local sourcing). Participants will analyze the costs, risks, and potential returns of moving beyond the commodity model—and learn how to build a financial case for innovation on the farm. 

Contact Jeremy Daubert with questions. 
540-705-7627  |  jdaubert@vt.edu


     

November 7 - 8, 2025
Adding Value in Beef and Dairy Operations
9:00 - 11:30 AM

Gain hands-on cattle & equipment skills, taught by women, for women. Since 2021, over 130 women in Virginia have attended WISE conferences created by female Virginia Cooperative Extension Ag Agents. As more female principal operators enter agriculture, we aim to boost their confidence and teach safety measures for machinery and livestock.


Contact Amy Byington with questions: 276-546-2057 |  afannon@vt.edu


     

Bovine Artificial Insemination Course. November 17-18, 2025 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. $350 per participant. Classroom Location: TBD (Ewing/Harrogate Area). Preregistration due by Monday, November 3 or until class is filled. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/ailee2025. Contact the Lee County Extension Office at (276) 546-2057 or Claiborne County Extension Office at (423) 626-3742. Payment due Nov. 3. No refunds after Nov. 10. Check written to Lee Co. Livestock Association. Mail to PO Box 64, Jonesville, VA 24263 after registering. Check without registering will not be processed. Photo: Man in coveralls and woman checking a Holstein. Logos: UTExtension/Tennesee State University/VCE. Indicia.
Click the image above to open the pdf.

November 17-18, 2025
Bovine Artificial Insemination Course
9:00 - 4:00 PM


Location: Ewing/Harrogate area of Lee County, VA
Cost: $350 per participant

Pre-registration due by Monday, November 3, or until class is filled.

Payment due Nov. 3. No refunds after Nov. 10. Write checks to Lee Co. Livestock Association and mail to PO Box 64, Jonesville, VA 24263 after registering. Check without registering will not be processed. 

Contact the Lee County Extension Office at (276) 546-2057 or Claiborne County Extension Office at (423) 626-3742.


Screenshot of the linked PDF flyer: Managing your Spring Calving Cows.
Click the image above to open the pdf.


MANAGING YOUR  SPRING CALVING COWS: 
PROLAPSES, CALVING, COLOSTRUM AND NUTRITION

Winter Webinar and In-Person Meeting Series
with Dr. John Currin

  • December 16, 2025 |  Location: Zoom
    -Preventing and dealing with prolapse vaginas, rectums
    -Winter nutrition for the spring calving herd
  •  January 13, 2026 |  Location: Zoom
    Calving difficulties, colostrum management, prolapsed uterus
  • Late January - March
    In-person meeting TBD
    -Demonstration of tools for dealing with calving problems and use of a calf for calving difficulty correction techniques
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If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services or other accommodations for any Extension event, please discuss your accommodation needs with the Extension staff at your local Extension office at least 1 week prior to the event.

Protocols, resources, and strategies to improve the success of on-farm reproductive technologies and enhance profitability of beef cow-calf production.

Beef Reproduction Task Force logo.
Protocols, resources, and strategies to improve the success of on-farm reproductive technologies and enhance profitability of beef cow-calf production.

 

Additional Beef Learning Opportunties

Innovation and Application of Decision Support Tools for the Beef Industry  -  2025 “Brown Bagger” Webinar Series

eBEEF.org

All sessions begin at Noon Central Time via Zoom

October 15         
Application of US-Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation Research

October 22         
Beef Industry Sustainability and Efficiency

      


Virginia Forage Grassland Council Learning Opportunities

November 7, 2025
Fall Grazing Workshop

Learn more at www.vaforages.org

 

Learn more about our Beef Programs & Events

Virginia Tech's Beef Cattle Extension events and programs help serve the beef cattle industry address the segments of the beef industry. The primary focus of these programs is to enhance the profitability and sustainability of beef cattle production systems through enhanced production efficiency and value-added ventures.

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    Virginia Beef Quality Assurance Program
    Virginia Beef Quality Assurance Program , redirect

    As part of the Mid-Atlantic BQA program, Virginia BQA educates and certifies producers in best management practices that improve the safety and quality of beef.

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    Black angus cattle grazing in a grassy field with trees in the background.
    Virginia Premium Assured Heifer Program (VPAHP)

    As part of the Mid-Atlantic BQA program, Virginia BQA educates and certifies producers in best management practices that improve the safety and quality of beef

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    Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association
    Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association , redirect

    Since 1955, Virginia BCIA in partnership with Extension has worked to enhance the genetics of Virginia beef cattle herds. BCIA sponsors the state’s central bull development program and serves as an educational conduit to the beef cattle industry.

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    Virginia Master Cattleman Program
    Virginia Master Cattleman Program

    This is a seven-session course that provides essential information for beef producers in the areas of economics, nutrition, forages, reproduction, genetics, herd health, and marketing. The program is offered on an area basis by local Virginia Cooperative Extension agents and is taught by local agents and Virginia Tech specialists.

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    Virginia Quality Assured Feeder Cattle Program
    Virginia Quality Assured Feeder Cattle Program , redirect

    Extension partners with the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association and local cattlemen’s associations for the VQA program which encourages the use of scientifically-based cattle health and management procedures for feeder cattle. Producers that manage their cattle utilizing the VQA guidelines are eligible to market their calves through the VQA certified feeder cattle program.

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    Tri-State Beef Conference. Image: map of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennesee outlined in VCE blue.
    Tri-State Beef Conference

    The Tri-State Beef Conference is an educational program for cow/calf producers and stocker operators to learn about managing production and price risk. The annual conference is presented by University of Tennessee Extension, Virginia Cooperation Extension, and North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

  Beef Extension Contacts

Genetics / Bull Test Stations

Extension Veterinarian

Youth

Have a question or need help with a beef cattle situation?

Virginia Cooperative Extension is here to help. To find your local Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension Agent, visit your county’s website or call your local Extension office.