37 Receive Master Cattlemen Certification

By Olivia McClure, LSU AgCenter

ALEXANDRIA — Thirty-seven central Louisiana cattle producers and other industry professionals were recognized Oct. 19 for completing a Louisiana Master Cattleman course hosted by the LSU AgCenter.

Graduates of a Louisiana Master Cattleman class pose for a photograph on Oct. 19, 2017, following a ceremony held in their honor during a cattle and forage field day at the LSU AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center near Alexandria. Vince Deshotel, far left, and Rodney Johnson, far right, are the AgCenter agents who coordinated the class. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

The graduates of the program — which teaches ways to raise cattle profitably and sustainably — received certificates at a ceremony held during a cattle and forage field day at the AgCenter Dean Lee Research and Extension Center near Alexandria.

AgCenter agent Vince Deshotel, who coordinates the Master Cattleman program in the AgCenter Central Region, said members of the class come from 10 parishes. A total of 117 people have completed the program in central Louisiana since 2014.

“We’re quite proud of that,” Deshotel said.

To earn the Master Cattleman designation, program participants must attend 30 hours of classroom lessons, most of which are taught by AgCenter personnel. They cover topics such as animal health, nutrition, handling practices, pasture management, marketing and reproduction.

“There’s always something new to learn,” Deshotel said. “We cover just about all the facets of beef cattle production in Louisiana.”

The program attracts people who are new to the cattle industry and seasoned producers alike, Deshotel said, adding that some have gone through the program as many as four times.

Anyone interested in participating in the next Master Cattleman course in the Central Region should contact Deshotel at VDeshotel@agcenter.lsu.edu. Dates have not yet been determined.

AgCenter agents lead Master Cattleman classes in other locations in Louisiana as well.

Those who graduated on Oct. 19 are:

— Brandon Bonner

— Richard Bonner

— Adrian Bowie

— David Brewster

— Debra Coulon

— Mike Dubuc

— Rachel Duncan

— Robert Duncan

— Megan Durio

— Dustin Ducote

— Tim Fontenot

— Mark Foreman

— Mark Foreman Jr.

— Matthew Frey

— Marc Grabert

— Max Grabert

— Jay Guidry

— Quenton Guilbeaux

— Carl Hill

— Grant Huff

— Kandie Huff

— Terry Latiolais

— Joan Lester

— Tom Lester

— Al Mahfouz

— David Morris

— Reginald Pitcher

— Jeff Regnart

— Dean Reed

— Angela Scarber

— Philip Scarber

— Marsha Smith

— Thomas Smith

— Glenn Thibodeaux

— David Turner

— Jimmy Wilson

— Corgan Womack