L.A. Kriese-Anderson 1, J.A. Parish 2, J.E. Rowntree 3, S.D. Seal 2, W.N. Presley 1 and G.D. Works 1 1 Auburn University, Auburn, AL 2 Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 3 Louisana State University, Baton Rouge. LA

Resources in Extension in the Southeast are shrinking People Specialist Level Agent Level Resources However, producers share many of the same production environment, opportunities and challenges in a geographic region Extension programs are duplicated many times across State lines

Distance Education Objectives Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama Improve program delivery efficiency Expand program offerings across States Ideal for expensive or hard to reproduce programs (e.g. Carcass fabrication) Maintain interactive program format Improve program delivery efficiency Expand program offerings across States Ideal for expensive or hard to reproduce programs (e.g. Carcass fabrication) Maintain interactive program format

Polycom Video Conference sites in each county (n=82) configured by Extension 31 Polycom sites distributed throughout the State configured by Extension Polycom sites distributed throughout the State (n=8)

Polycom Video-Conference Technology Internet Protocol (IP) Complete, interactive, real time communications No connectivity or per minute charges For optimum performance and TV quality video (384K) Need high speed internet Need high quality internet connection Programs are viewed at a central location connected by a multi-point control unit Ability to video-stream programs

Polycom FX Viewstation. Contains camera, internet hookup, video S cable connections and microphone High Speed Internet Connection TV Quality Monitor Multi-point controller for more than 2 sites

Polycom FX Viewstation What remote sites sees Shows last site that spoke or can show all sites once connected Can have computer and other audio/visual components connected

Ceiling Mounted Microphones which are connected to Polycom unit LCD Projector

23 rd Annual Livestock Production Sale November 17, 2005 Phone Bid from Distance Bidding Site 4 Lots Sold over Distance Bidding System Competitive Bidding from Sites on Other Lots High-Selling Horse Lot Sold via Distance Bid Portable Polycom available - Field demonstration - Auction - Emergency

Initial concept of using video-conferencing began in Mississippi in August 2004 Beef Nutrition shortcourse Multi-session in nature 7 sites 98% of responding participants would attend another program via distance education Would like to see real people Producer Comment:

Went multi-state in January 2005 when Louisiana joined Mississippi for a beef repro shortcourse 95% of responding participants would attend another program via distance education 11 sites 3 sites

April 2005 Alabama joined in for carcass fabrication demonstration Used portable technology to show fabrication of carcasses on a real-time basis 4.06 as a positive experience 3.83 for ease of communication 4.11 for willingness to attend in future 4.11 for preference over travel to campus 4.06 as a positive experience 3.83 for ease of communication 4.11 for willingness to attend in future 4.11 for preference over travel to campus Producer Ratings of Distance Ed. Format 1 to 5 scale (1=poor, 5=excellent)

November 2005 Three State, three session genetics shortcourse January 2006 – March 2006 Two State, 8 session Master Cattle Producers Program (424 participants) May 2006 – Source/Age 1 day shortcourse November 2006 Four State, 2 session Herd Health shortcourse Addition of Florida

Knowledgeable, enthusiastic site moderator Encourage questions Stimulate discussion Help producers become comfortable with technology Serve as knowledge base

Programs producers want Use evaluation instrument to gage what topics producers are interested in Program must be thought out and organized Get best speakers for topic Must be willing/able to talk specifics for region

Simple, uncluttered slides Light background Dark letters This seems to increase readability where internet is not as fast or lower quality Sometimes slides transmit upside down, or green, or on a time delay Sound is usually okay

Must provide copies of slides Prefer 2 slides to a page Helps readability Ability to take notes on slides Which also means speakers need to have slides finished more than 20 minutes before presentation Moderators mad Producers frustrated

Understand not all programs can or should be delivered using video- conference technology Still need personal touch

Planning our next shortcourse Really a series of nutritional meetings Named our cooperative effort

The use of video-conference technology can help serve clientele as: People resources are not replaced in Extension Time constraints and fuel costs continue to be a factor However, site moderators are key for success Be prepared for glitches. It will happen.