Tuskegee University Cooperative Extension (TUCE) develops and conducts various educational programs for livestock producers and professionals in order to promote the sustainable livestock production systems. TUCE also develops and disseminates a wide range of educational materials and provides information on other reliable sources.
Silvopasture is a sustainable agroforestry system where trees, forages, and grazing animals are intentionally integrated and managed for economic, environmental, and social benefits. It is different than animal grazing the understory vegetation in forest. Silvopasture involves management of all three components in such a way that optimizes the benefits of the whole system and minimizes the negative effects of one component over others. As trees require several years to be ready for marketable products, one has to wait for a long time to get income from the forest monoculture.
However, a silvopasture system offers both long-term and short-term income opportunities. Livestock and forage components serve as regular short-term income sources while waiting for the tree component to be ready for sale. Moreover, there are prospects for alternative income from hunting and wildlife tourism as silvopasture system attracts wildlife for food and shelter. Higher tree growth and development can occur in silvopasture as there will be lower tree density than in sole-tree plantations. Faster growth of trees in silvopasture is also facilitated by the removal of ground vegetation through grazing, and supply of nutrients from liming and fertilization of forage crops present in the system. When legume forages are introduced into the system, more nitrogen would be available for trees to support faster growth because of legumes’ nitrogen fixing ability. Moreover, grazing animals utilize understory vegetation and recycle nutrients back to the system through feces and urine thereby supporting plant fertilization. Grazing utilizes and maintains understory vegetation, and minimizes or eliminates the need of mechanical or chemical method of weed control. This saves money and promotes environmental quality. Moreover, trees provide natural shelter to grazing animals against extreme environmental conditions such as high heat and strong wind.
• Educational Materials
- Silvopasture Introduction
- Forage selection, establishment, and management in silvopasture (Publication)
• Research highlights
• Useful links
- http://www.centerforagroforestry.org/practices/sp.php
• Pictures
PASTURE IMPROVEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE GRAZING MANAGEMENT
• Training program and field days
• Education materials
-Year-round pasture production and management (Publication)
-Sustainable year-round forage production and grazing/browsing management for goats in the Southern Region
Handbook for training field extension and technical assistance personnel (Publication).
Please click here for a complimentary educational video for this handbook
-Pasture-weed identification and management - Workshop Proceedings (Publication)
-Year-round pasture and grazing calendar (Publication)
-Important steps for establishing forages
-Sustainable grazing management
-Bahiagrass (Pensacola) plant guide
-Perennial peanut plant guide
-Sericea lespedeza (Au Grazer) plant guide
-Grazing decisions and management
• Research highlights
- Winter forage
GOAT HERD MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH CARE
• Training program and field days
• Education materials
-Colostrum for newborn kids (Publication)
-Care and management of newborn kids (Publication)
-Basic vaccination program (under development)
-Goat health and diseases (under development)
• Research highlights (under development)
• Useful links
- http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1296/ANR-1296.pdf
- http://www.extension.org/category/goats
• Completed events and outcomes
INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT OF PARASITES IN SMALL RUMINANTS
• Training program and field days
• Education materials
-Workshop proceedings (Publication)
- Integrated management of internal parasites in goats
-FAMACHA and smart drenching
• Research highlights
• Useful links
-http://www.acsrpc.org/index.html
• Completed events and outcomes
BEEF-CATTLE HERD MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH CARE
• Training program and field days
• Education materials
-Johne’s disease
-Basic vaccination program (under development)
-Routine health care (under development)
• Research highlights (under development)
• Useful links
-https://store.aces.edu/ItemDetail.aspx?ProductID=13517#prettyPhoto
• Completed events and outcomes
YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN LIVESTOCK
• Training program and field days
-Preparing and showing meat goats
• Education materials
-Guidelines for preparing and showing meat goats
• Livestock shows
-Youth open goat show at Tuskegee University
-Youth beef cattle show in Lowndes County
-Other livestock shows in Alabama
• Useful links
-http://www.aces.edu/4-H-youth/AL4-H/
SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEM
• Education materials
-Sustainable livestock production system
• Useful links
• Education materials (under development)
• Useful links
-http://afsic.nal.usda.gov/organic-production/organic-livestock
-http://www.ansc.purdue.edu/poa/
EVENT: Sustainable Year-Round Forage Production and Grazing/Browsing Management: Healthy Soil for Healthy Pastures
DATE & TIME: 8AM to 4:30 PM, March 28,, 2018
WHERE: 102 Mary Starke Harper Hall & CAENS Research and Demonstration Facility, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 
36088
The objective of this program was to educate livestock producers and agricultural professionals on taking care of soils in pastures and other grazing lands (silvopastures, woodlands) for the sustainable production of forages and browse, and support low-cost animal production. Experts from Tuskegee University and Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service were speaking at the event. Funding support for this program was provided by USDA/NIFA, Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) grant. More information about the event is presented in the Program Flyer and Agenda.
EVENT: Integrated Approach for Managing Diseases and Parasites in Small Ruminants
DATE & TIME: 8AM to 4:30 PM, July 26, 2017
WHERE: 102 Mary Starke Harper Hall & CAENS Research and Demonstration Facility, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088
The purpose of this training session was to educate small ruminant producers and Extension professionals on the prevalent disease and parasite challenges that jeopardize small ruminant health and performance as well as human health, and an integrated approach to prevent these problems. Moreover, various treatment strategies will be discussed and demonstrated. Hands-on activities included general health inspection, use of FAMACHA card, condition score, hoof inspection and trimming, taking temperature, medication (injections, drenching, topical), and fecal sample collection and examination.
EVENT: Pasture-based Beef Cattle Operation and Pasture Walk
DATE: April 22, 2017
WHERE: Union Hill Baptist Church, 434 County Road 59, Union Springs, AL 36089
Pasture walk is a brief event designed to accommodate busy farmers, who cannot devote much time but willing to learn the 
effective ways of improving and managing pastures for sustainable livestock operation. The purpose of this event was to educate on and demonstrate livestock farmers various cool-season forages that are suitable in the local area for improving winter pastures. Essential steps of establishing these forages and managing them with rotational grazing system will also be discussed during the event. Moreover, Ms. Rosia Jernigan, who has been gradually developing year-round pasture and rotational grazing system since 2011, shared her experiences on how this transition is working to improve her operation.
EVENT: Selma Field Day
Sustainable Pasture-Based Livestock Production and Beekeeping
DATE & TIME: 9AM to 2:00 PM, April 29, 2017
WHERE: 431 County Road 540, Selma, AL 
The purpose of this field day was to educate and demonstrate livestock producers and Extension professionals on developing and managing year-round pasture and grazing system for sustainable ruminant livestock enterprise. Additionally, incorporating beekeeping with this system and its benefits was discussed and demonstrated along with tasting raw honey. Moreover, there was a farm tour, hands-on activities, and demonstration of proper care of goat herds.
EVENT: Sustainable Year-Round Forage Production and Grazing/Browsing Management for Saving Production Costs
DATE: March 31, 2017
WHERE: 102 Mary Starke Harper Hall Tuskegee University, 1200 West Montgomery Road, Tuskegee, AL 36088
The objective of this program was to educate pasture-based livestock producers and field agricultural professionals, and eventually make them able to implement practices to enhance the sustainable pasture-based livestock production system. Experts from Tuskegee University and Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service were speaking at the event. Funding support for this program is provided by USDA/NIFA Capacity Building Grant.
EVENT: Integrated Approach for Managing Diseases and Parasites in Small Ruminants
DATE: 8 AM to 4:30 PM, October 28, 2016
WHERE: 102 Mary Starke Harper Hall & CAENS Research and Demonstration Facility Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088
The purpose of this training session was to educate small ruminant producers and Extension professionals on the prevalent disease and parasite challenges that jeopardize small ruminant health and performance as well as human health, and an integrated approach to prevent these problems. Moreover, various treatment strategies was discussed and demonstrated. Hands-on activities included general health inspection, use of FAMACHA card, condition score, hoof inspection and trimming, taking temperature, medication (injections, drenching, topical), and fecal sample collection and examination.
EVENT: Silvopasture and Goat-Herd Management Field Day
DATE: September 10, 2016
WHERE: 472 Pecan Road, Plantersville, AL 36758
The objective of this program this Field Day was to educate forest landowners, farmers, and extension professionals, and eventually make them able to implement sustainable silvopasture practices to efficiently utilize their resources in order to benefit current as well as future generations. Experts from Tuskegee University and Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) were speakers at the event. Also, the host farmer shared his experience on silvopasture-goat system. Funding support for this program was provided by USDA/NIFA.
EVENT: Training on Sustainable Agroforestry Practices
DATE: September 30, 2016
WHERE: 102 Mary Starke Harper Hall & the Agroforestry Research and Demonstration Site
Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
The objective of this program was to educate forest landowners, farmers, and agricultural professionals, and eventually make them able to implement sustainable agroforestry practices to efficiently utilize their resources in order to benefit current as well as future generations. Experts from Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University were speakers at the event. Funding support for this program was provided by USDA/NIFA.
EVENT: Reproductive Management and Artificial Insemination Workshop
EVENT: Pasture-based Beef Cattle Production Field Day
DATE: May 14, 2016
WHERE: Union Hill Baptist Church, 434 County Road 59, Union Springs, AL 36089
The purpose of this event was to educate and demonstrate livestock producers and Extension professionals on developing and managing year-round pasture system for sustainable ruminant livestock enterprise. Additionally, there was a pasture walk, identification of different legume and grass species, and hands-on activities.
EVENT: Selma Field Day
Year-round Forage Production, Sustainable Grazing Management, and Care of Goat Herd
DATE: April 30, 2016 @ 9AM to 2:00 PM
WHERE: 431 County Road 540, Selma, AL
The purpose of this field day was to educate and demonstrate livestock producers and Extension professionals on developing and managing year-round pasture system for sustainable ruminant livestock enterprise. Additionally, there was a farm tour, hands-on activities, and demonstration of proper care of goat herds.
EVENT: Eufaula Field Day
Year-round Forage Production, Sustainable Grazing Management, and Care of Goat Herd
DATE: April 9, 2016 @ 9AM to 2:00 PM
WHERE: 36 County Road 40, Eufaula, AL 36027
The purpose of this field day was to educate and demonstrate livestock producers and Extension professionals on developing and managing year-round pasture system for sustainable ruminant livestock enterprise. Additionally, there was be a farm tour, hands-on activities, and demonstration of proper care of goat herds.
EVENT: Sustainable Year-Round Forage Production and Grazing/Browsing Management Training
DATE: March 31, 2016
WHERE: 201 Mary Starke Harper Hall, Tuskegee University, 1200 West Montgomery Road, Tuskegee, AL 36088
The objective of this program was to educate pasture-based livestock producers and field agricultural professionals, and eventually make them able to implement practices to enhance the sustainable pasture-based livestock production system. Experts from Tuskegee University and Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service were speakers at the event. Funding support for this program was provided by USDA/NIFA Capacity Building Grant.
Master Goat Producer's Certification Training Program
When: August 3-5, 2015,
Where: Caprine Research and Education Unit, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
Click here for more information.
Training on Sustainable Agroforestry Practices in the Southeastern Region
When: September 11, 2015
Where: Caprine Research and Education Unit (Goat Farm), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088
The objective of this program was to educate forest landowners, farmers, and agricultural professionals, and eventually make them able to implement sustainable agroforestry practices to efficiently utilize their resources in order to benefit current as well as future generations. Experts from Tuskegee University, Alabama A&M University, and Alcorn State University were speakers at the event. Funding support for this program was provided by Southern SARE.
Integrated Approach for Managing Diseases and Parasites in Small Ruminants
When: 8 AM to 4:30 PM, July 9, 2015
Where: Caprine Research and Education Unit (Goat Farm), Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088
The purpose of this training session was to educate small ruminant producers and Extension professionals on the prevalent disease and parasite challenges that jeopardize small ruminant health and performance as well as human health, and an integrated approach to prevent these problems. Moreover, various treatment strategies were discussed and demonstrated. Hands-on activities included general health inspection, use of FAMACHA card, condition score, hoof inspection and trimming, taking temperature, medication (injections, drenching, topical), and fecal sample collection and examination.
SELMA FILED DAY (Year-round Forage Production, Sustainable Grazing Management, and Care of Goat Herd)
When: 9 AM to 2:00 PM, May 2, 2015
Where: 431 County Road 540, Selma, AL
The purpose of this field day was to educate and demonstrate livestock producers and Extension professionals on developing and managing year-round pasture system for sustainable ruminant livestock enterprise. Additionally, there was a farm tour, hands-on activities, and demonstration of proper care of goat herds.
PASTURE-BASED BEEF CATTLE OPERATION AND PASTURE WALK
When: March 21, 2015
Where: Union Hill Baptist Church, 434 County Road 59, Union Springs, AL 36089
The purpose of this event was to educate and demonstrate livestock producers and Extension professionals on developing and managing year-round pasture system for sustainable ruminant livestock enterprise. Additionally, there was a pasture walk, identification of different legume and grass species, and hands-on activities.
EUFAULA FIELD DAY
When: APRIL 11, 2015
Where: 36 County Road 40, Eufaula, AL 36027
The purpose of this field day was to educate and demonstrate pasture-based livestock producers and Extension professionals on developing and managing year-round pasture system. Moreover, basics of goat herd health evaluation and care were shared with the participants.
SUSTAINABLE YEAR-ROUND FORAGE PRODUCTION AND GRAZING/BROWSING MANAGEMENT TRAINING
When: March 17, 2015
Where: 201 Mary Starke Harper Hall, Tuskegee University, 1200 West Montgomery Road, Tuskegee, AL 36088
The objective of this program was to educate pasture-based livestock producers and field agricultural professionals, and eventually make them able to implement practices to enhance the pasture-based livestock production system sustainable. Experts from Tuskegee University and Alabama Natural Resources Conservation Service were the speakers at the event. Funding support for this program was provided by USDA/NIFA Capacity Building Grant.