October 2004

Organic livestock satellite broadcast at UC offices in Davis, Eureka and San Diego

Ranchers, veterinarians, extension advisors and others interested in organic livestock production are invited to view a live national satellite broadcast of "Organic Livestock: Principles, Practices, Prospects" Oct. 29 at UC Davis, Eureka or San Diego.

"This is a great opportunity to explore organic livestock practices, issues and resources," said David Chaney, education coordinator for UC's statewide sustainable agriculture program and the Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program representative.

The organic livestock production broadcast is offered by Washington State Cooperative Extension and the Washington State Department of Agriculture, with funding from Western Region SARE. The program follows the successful 2003 national airing of a program on the National Organic Standards.

"We're excited to have the opportunity to present this," said Annie Eicher, UC Cooperative Extension organic and sustainable farming coordinator in Humboldt County. "We're developing a natural meat industry in Humboldt County with local organic livestock producers and others interested in transitioning to organic or incorporating organic practices into their operations."

The 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. broadcast may be viewed free at:

Humboldt County Cooperative Extension office, 5630 S. Broadway, Agricultural Center Building, Eureka. Contact: Annie Eicher at (707) 445-7351, aeicher@co.humboldt.ca.us
San Diego County Cooperative Extension office, 5555 Overland Ave., Building 4, San Diego. Contact: Farm advisor Ramiro Lobo, (858) 694-2845, relobo@ucdavis.edu.
UC Davis DANR Building, 1441 Research Park Dr., Davis. Contact: David Chaney, (530) 754-8551, dechaney@ucdavis.edu.

The broadcast will feature a panel of six experts including producers, a veterinarian, an organic inspector and an organic industry representative. They will discuss:

Differences between organic and conventional livestock production
Certification issues
Opportunities/statistics on organic livestock, consumer demand, markets, price comparisons, economic studies
Processing, regulation barriers
Success factors/challenges
Infrastructure/support for organic livestock
Animal health care
Feed supply, animal nutrition
Living conditions/housing
Post-harvest handling, processing, marketing

There will be opportunities for questions and answers as part of the broadcast. Toll-free numbers will be provided to all registrants for telephone and fax questions. An e-mail address will be furnished for e-mail questions to the studio. For more details on the program and the California downlink locations, contact Chaney at (530) 754-8551, dechaney@ucdavis.edu. For additional information on the broadcast, see http://ext.wsu.edu/noas/.

Viewers may also access the broadcast via videostream on personal computers. Individual videostream outside Washington state is $50. To register for videostream, go to http://ext.wsu.edu/noas/registration.

Media contacts:
Lyra Halprin, (530) 752-8664, lhalprin@ucdavis.edu

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