EXTENSION TRENDS: CUSTER COUNTY University of Idaho Extension, Custer County • www.uidaho.edu/custer
2019 Impact
2019 By the Numbers • 5,524 direct contacts • 83 youth participants • 11 volunteers • $10,800 extramural funding
Our Advisory Council Special thanks to our volunteers who help shape programming and inform the work we do for UI Extension in Custer County: S. Bradley, G. Ingram, S. Rosenkrance, J. Waymire, K. Swingruber, J. Johnson and J. Zollinger.
UI Extension Educator Sarah Baker 208-879-2344 sdbaker@uidaho.edu
One of the main program areas for UI Extension, Custer County is teaching consumers and producers (both adult and youth) about beef end-product quality. This is accomplished through numerous workshops in Custer County and across the state, which includes oral presentations, cutting demonstrations, and taste panels. Carcass contests are held for 4-H and FFA members by collecting carcass data in the cooler and/or ultrasound and presenting educational workshops to interpret the data. Providing hands-on cutting demonstrations and taste testing sessions at these end-product quality workshops provides a unique and important perspective for both producers and consumers. Producer workshops focus on management factors that can affect end-product quality and pricing of beef. Consumer workshops focus on basic selection, preparation, cutting, and cooking of beef products to ensure positive eating experiences. Cutting demonstrations focus on new ways to fabricate primals to create smaller portion sizes, add variety and value, and promote a great beef eating experience. Participants of these workshops are treated to a taste test which compares traditional-cut steaks with new alternative method-cut steaks. These workshops also cover basic meat science information, including factors that affect meat quality, and how to quality grade and yield grade beef carcasses. Post evaluations of presentations have shown an increase in beef end-product quality knowledge for participants. 97% of attendees have indicated they will utilize the knowledge they gained at the workshop to change a management technique on their ranch, or purchase and cook more beef for their family. 100% of attendees said they would recommend the workshop to others.
4-H in Custer County The UI Extension, Custer County 4-H program is primarily comprised of market livestock projects. Thanks to the supportive community and outstanding youth and livestock projects, 2019 saw the largest sale on record. A total of 73 animals were sold for $170,266, topping the previous year’s total of $155,999 when 77 animals were sold. Market steers averaged $4.89 per pound compared to 2018's average of $2.72 per pound. Market hogs and lambs had similar averages to previous years. Two Custer County 4-H representatives attended the Know Your Government Conference; three Teen Leaders attended the Idaho 4-H State Teen Association Convention; and Custer County 4-H member Caleb Hampton was selected as the district representative for the Idaho 4-H State Teen Officer team.
On the Horizon UI Extension, Custer County provides educational programming and resources to community members in Challis, Mackay, Stanley, Clayton, and many other small rural populations across the county. The office is staffed by one UI Extension Educator and numerous volunteers who serve as a resource to the community by offering programming in livestock, beef end-product quality, range management, and 4-H youth development.