Integrated Risk Management for Women Producers, Processors, and Retailers in the Local Meat Product Value Chain

April Shaeffer and Sarah Blacklin North Carolina State University, Raleigh Building Confidence, Skills and Leadership of Women Women Working the in Meat Business Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers:

Application Process: Grant support from Southern Risk Management Advertised with the NC Leadership & Cattle Handling for Women Cattle Producers and the NC Choices list serv Women were asked to submit and application

Questions included: – Years of cattle experience (0-5, 6-10, 10+) – Type of farm (cow/calf, stocker, feedlot/finishing) – Number of Cattle – County – Why you would like to attend this workshop? – What do you hope to learn from the training? Application

To provide a non-intimidating atmosphere for learning. To enhance the skills & confidence of women cattle producers. Improve relationships and networking among producers. To increase female producer activity in Extension programs. Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Women’s Cattle Training Objectives

Workshop was a 1 d training Held on November 8, 2015 NCSU Beef Education Unit 45 Female Producers Applied 22 Selected for Attendance 10 with 0-5 yrs experience 6 with 6-10 yrs experience 6 with 10+ yrs experience Topics covered were both in class and hands-on learning. Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Female Producer Training

Reproduction Management: – pregnancy check, dystocia problems Beef Quality Assurance: – deworm, vaccinations, age by looking at teeth, castration Pasture Walk: – Identify weeds and grasses, grazing management, fencing, how to read soil and forage analysis, etc. Low Stress Animal Handling: – Using body techniques instead of voice Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Hands On Topics

Becoming a Leader in the Cattle Industry – Bryan Blinson, NC Cattlemen’s Director Animal Welfare and Low Stress Handling – Dr. Harrison Dudley (DVM) discussed proper ways of handling cattle. Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Classroom Topics Discussed

Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers:

Data Collection and Results

The questionnaire included 5 questions answered on a scale of = Not Satisfied 2= Somewhat Satisfied 3= Satisfied 4= Very Satisfied Means and SD are reported. Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Questionnaire on Data Satisfaction

QuestionMSD Relevance of information to your needs Presentation Quality of instructors Subject matter knowledge of instructors Training facilities Overall quality of the training workshop Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Selected Questions and Scores

The questionnaire included 4 hands-on topics answered on a scale of = Very Low (Know nothing about this topic) 2= Low (Know very little about this topic) 3= Moderate (Know about the topic, but still have more to learn) 4= High (Have good knowledge, but there are things to learn) 5= Very High (Know almost everything about this topic) Means and SD are reported. Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Questionnaire Data on Knowledge Changed

Scale: 1=Very Low, 2= Low, 3= Moderate, 4= High, 5= Very High (p<0.01) Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Comparison of Knowledge Before and After the Training

As a result of this program, do you intend to: % Include Low Stress Handling On Your Farm 100 Graze Pastures Properly 100 Recommend This Training To Other Women 100 Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Selected Questions and Scores on Impact Evaluations

What is your main challenge or constraint when working with cattle? – “Old ways” vs. New or Different Ideas – Improper Equipment – Lack of knowledge and experience – Time – My husband! Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Additional Questions

What did you like most about the training? – All Women, doing the clinics in small numbers – Hands-on training, new ideas, very knowledgeable instructors. – Everything! Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Additional Comments from Participants

What did you like least about the training? – Not long enough Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Additional Comments from Participants

Improved female producer interaction and net-working. Made Specialists and Agents more observant to female producer needs. A NC Needs Assessment for Female Livestock Producers was conducted. Out of state impact (California & Georgia) Additional Workshops are being conducted. Partnership between Amazing Grazing & NC Choices. Leadership and Cattle Handling for Women Producers: Outcomes

Women Working in the Meat Business: The Need

Workshop spots were in high demand, with applications and inquiries sufficient to have doubled the class-size Women Working in the Meat Business: Participants

Learn if you’re making a profit, how much of a profit, and how to refine your pricing using a step by step “whole animal” assessment tool. Women Working in the Meat Business: Topics Covered: Whole Carcass Pricing Profitability Tools

Women Working in the Meat Business: Topics Covered: Whole Carcass Pricing Profitability Tools

Hands-on opportunity to fabricate different retail cuts for a diverse marketplace Women Working in the Meat Business: Topics Covered: Improving Knife Skills (trimming, deboning, denuding)

Women Working in the Meat Business: Topics Covered: Improving Knife Skills (trimming, deboning, denuding)

Learn how to make processing realities match your business needs. Identify common mishaps and strategize about how to effectively communicate expectations. Women Working in the Meat Business: Topics Covered: Cut sheet trial and error

Discuss muscle, function, and marketability. Women Working in the Meat Business: Topics Covered: Cooking, Texture, Tenderness, Taste

Learn about trends in meat markets, tips for getting to know your customers, and messaging that SELLS from top industry butcher shop owners and niche meat professionals. Women Working in the Meat Business: Topics Covered: Best Practices for Marketing Meat:

Pre/Post Evaluations: 100% of participants unanimously reported greater understanding and improved confidence in each category of topics covered in the workshop Women Working in the Meat Business: Outcomes: Major Take-Aways

Most Popular Topics: Pricing and Business Focus Hands-on Learning Developing a Professional Network of Female Colleagues Most Popular Skills/Take-Aways: How to talk to their processors and negotiate pricing/business relations. Empowered them to apply marketing techniques and business tools to their business. Greater network of resources and an increased professional network. Women Working in the Meat Business: Outcomes: Major Take-Aways

“ I have a better understanding of the cuts and where they come from, how to use them, etc. but more importantly, I learned more about how much to charge…. ” “ Because of this training, I have worked more closely with my butcher and put real effort into that conversation. My meat sales have increased over 47% this year...” “ I can now ask for more specific cuts of meat from my processor, and therefore increase profit. ” “ “I've learned WHO can help me when I need an answer. WHAT opportunities exist within the meat community to get products. The vast specialized knowledge base within the group” “ This conference has radically improved my ability to speak to both customers and producers. ” Women Working in the Meat Business: Quotes

Amy Price Neff: Pendulum Fine Meats Women Working in the Meat Business: Outcomes: Business Start-Ups!

Meredith Leigh: The Ethical Meat Handbook Women Working in the Meat Business: Outcomes: Business Start-Ups!

Eliza MacLean: Mobile Butcher Shop Women Working in the Meat Business: Outcomes: Business Start-Ups!

Ann Rose: Rose Mountain Butcher Shoppe Women Working in the Meat Business: Outcomes: Business Start-Ups!

Kari Underly: Mucolo Meat Academy Women Working in the Meat Business: Outcomes: Business Start-Ups!

Women Working in the Meat Business: Spreading the Word: National Movement

Women Working in the Meat Business: Spreading the Word: National Movement

6 Part Meat Processor Video Series How to Choose a Processor That’s Right for You Meat Yield: How Much Am I Getting Back? Dry Aging Versus Wet Aging Brining Pork and Value-Added Product Value-Added Options for Sausage Products What Packaging Should I Expect? How to Handle, Slaughter, and Process a Chicken Video Women Working in the Meat Business: Other Resources

NC Choices: Contact: Sarah Blacklin Project Manager NC Choices Amazing Grazing: wedo/researchunits/amazing- grazing.html Contact: April Shaeffer Research Specialist, NCSU Thank You! SAVE THE DATE! Upcoming Women Workshops: JUNE 2ND: Amazing Grazing: Pasture Management for Women Cattle Producers NC Choices: Meat for Market Workshop (for Women in the Meat Industry)