Texas dairy industry assessment of research, education, and service importance of the Southwest regional dairy center

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine future directions the Southwest Regional Dairy Center (SWRDC) should take and improvements the SWRDC could make. In October 2019, a Qualtrics survey (Qualtrics LLC., Provo, Utah) was distributed to the Texas Association of Dairymen to further distribute to dairy producers and industry representatives. The survey asked respondents to rank satisfaction with tours of the SWRDC from 1 to 7 (1=extremely satisfied, 7=extremely dissatisfied) and to rank community outreach events, research activities, extension events, and types of research from least important to most important. Twenty-eight producers and dairy industry representatives responded. Of the respondents, nine ranked the SWRDC tours as extremely satisfied, two ranked as moderately satisfied, two ranked as neutral and the remaining respondents did not answer the question. The respondents’ highest ranked community outreach events, research activities and extension events were breakfast on the farm, research showcase, and demonstration days with continuing education credits offered, respectively. The respondents’ highest ranked type of research was precision dairy monitoring technology. Survey results better inform the SWRDC administration of future directions the center should take in research, education, and service activities.