| PROJECT SUMMARY |
| This project provided a planning and management framework for Colorado beef producers interested or involved in enterprise diversification through branded beef businesses. Niche-oriented production and marketing create an opportunity for producers to diversify and augment their income stream while decreasing their exposure to the market volatility of conventional beef production. Successful diversification depends on education and ongoing access to technical advice about adapting cattle production and processing, product pricing, storage, regulation and marketing strategies to ensure a revenue stream that meets producer objectives and needs, and a degree of liability and risk that fall within acceptable levels for the producer. Currently, there is no step-by-step source of information and training on niche beef issues in Colorado or the western region. This project provided a training curriculum, hands-on workshops, field visits and ongoing information designed to help beef producers understand, plan for and manage the risk/reward tradeoffs inherent to operating a branded beef business. |
| NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 64 |
| TOPICS COVERED |
| Product and enterprise diversification |
| Market analysis and outlook |
| Marketing strategies, plans and clubs |
| Direct, wholesale, and processing markets |
| Contract production, branded or certified marketing, and value-added enterprises |
| Financial records, analysis, and bench-marking |
| Understanding of economic risks associated with new production technologies |
| Business and strategic planning |
