1. Building Bridges:
US Extension Agents Training in Forage/ Livestock Management
Using Farm Case Studies in Puerto Rico
Gamble,* S.F.1; Barber, D.L.2; Burbaugh, B.J.3; Newman, Y.C.4; Thomas, M.E.5; Walter, J.H.6
1
Extension Agent, University of Florida IFAS Extension, DeLand, FL, 32724
2
Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension, Columbia County, Lake City, FL, 3202
3
Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension - Duval County, Jacksonville, FL, 32724
4
Agronomy Specialist, UF/IFAS Agronomy, Gainesville, FL, 32611
5
Extension Agent, UF/IFAS Extension - Lake County, Tavares, FL, 32778
6
Extension Agent, UF/IFAS - Brevard County, Cocoa, FL, 32926
Abstract Intended Outcomes
To enhance agents understanding of tropical
forage systems, cultural diversity, and critical Activities • Expansion of County Agents
thinking, five forage/livestock Extension perspective on tropical and sub
agents, of varied experience, attended train‐ ‐tropical forage livestock/
ing in Puerto Rico (PR). Collaborative efforts production
in funding, in‐kind services, and program de‐
sign and implementation were employed. • Change in the way County
Sessions included tours to UPR Isabella Ex‐ Agents currently approach for‐
Collaborative efforts in planning, and program design and age related systems
periment/Research Station, research pro‐ implementation
jects, and production units using conserva‐ • Increased appreciation by
tion management. Included were two grazing County Agents of cultural dif‐
dairies where economic stability and sustain‐ ferences and product accep‐
ability had been increased by migrating to a tance
forage based feeding system, a forage opera‐
tion providing livestock feeds to Puerto Rico • New perspectives of manage‐
and Caribbean Islands, and two cattle opera‐ ment decisions by County
tions supplying beef to PR. These were stud‐ agents as they are faced by
ied and analyzed as case studies. The training new challenges to the tradi‐
Tours to UPR Experiment/Research Station
outcome expanded the extension agents’ tional Florida production meth‐
perspective on tropical and sub‐tropical for‐ ods
age/livestock production and also changed
the way they now approach forage related Visit two grazing dairies with increased financial stability and
systems. In addition, agents increased appre‐ sustainability after migrating to a forage based feeding system
ciation of cultural differences and product ac‐ Conclusions
Agents statements included:
• Forage species appear to differ
Introduction greater as one goes south,
rather than north
•As we face changes in market demand, inputs • Legumes appearance vary
and challenges to traditional production meth‐ widely as opposed to tradi‐
ods, exposure to different perspectives on ani‐ tional clovers
mal plant interactions on food animal produc‐
tion systems should bring valuable insights to • Cultural differences dictate
Florida County Agents and Educators. consumer driven market pref‐
Visit to forage operation providing local feeds and ships erences
throughout the Caribbean Islands
•As we face changes in market demand, inputs
• Agents stated a greater under‐
and challenges to traditional production meth‐
standing for the culture, agri‐
ods, exposure to different perspectives on ani‐
cultural practices and sustain‐
mal plant interactions on food animal produc‐
ability
tion systems should bring valuable insights to
Florida County Agents and Educators.
Objectives
Acknowledgements
To enhance agent understanding of:
• Tropical forage system Visit two cattle operations supplying beef to Puerto Rico •University of Florida IFAS/
Extension
• Cultural Diversity
•University of Puerto Rico
• Critical Thinking

3. ceptance, underpinning management decisions as they face changes to traditional FL production methods and clientele diversity.