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As tobacco production in Southside Virginia continues to decline due to sustained cuts in quota, and talk of a national buyout swirls amid much controversy, farmers in the region are seeking alternative sources of farm income in an effort to remain on the farm and earn a living. While it appears that a variety of alternative crops, including the production of niche market products such as shiitake mushrooms, wine grapes, or sweet potatoes, are available, many farmers are hesitant to invest their hard earned dollars in some-thing totally unfamiliar to them. In an effort to identify viable alternative sources of farm income, members of the Halifax County Agricultural Development Committee met in the winter of 2001 to realistically examine available options for area farmers. Agriculture in Halifax County contributes approximately $40,000,000 in cash receipts towards the stability of the local economy, and leaders within the county recognize the need for sustainability
of this vital industry.

After a plethora of ideas were examined and discussed, increased production of beef cattle emerged as one of the most likely alternatives to tobacco production. Many tobacco producers already owned small herds of beef cattle, but many neglected to seek ways to increase revenues from the sale of their feeder calves, relying instead on tobacco as the mainstay of their farm income. In an effort to promote increased production, more efficient management, and value added marketing of feeder calves produced in the region, we aggressively sought funding to establish an Agricultural Marketing Center where local producers would have the opportunity to commingle their feeder calves into larger load lots, thereby adding value and increasing their revenues. We prepared an economic development grant for the construction of such a facility and submitted it to the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission in 2002.

With the endorsement
and encouragement of
former Halifax County
Administrator Joe
Morgan (now retired),
as well as the board of
supervisors, the grant
was funded in the a
mount of $200,000,
and thus began the
establishment of the
first Ag marketing
center in the Southside
region.

Two years later, the
Halifax County Ag
Marketing Center is
providing opportunities
for value added marketing for local beef producers as well as others from across the region. With assistance provided by Traci Talley, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent, Halifax County, producers “pool” their feeder calves into like loads (50,000 lbs) and sell them through the Virginia Cattlemen’s Tel-O-Auction Field Sales. The calves are graded on-farm, meet all health requirements of the Virginia Quality Assured Program, and weigh within 100-150 lbs of one another to be grouped effectively for marketing. Thus far, calves sold in this manner are reaping an average of $5.00 per hundred weight (or about $30.00 per head) more than what the same calves would have brought at the local livestock market. Traci Talley has high marks for the efforts of local beef producers as they strive to change their management techniques and marketing savvy.
“With all the changes currently being felt in the cattle industry, including everything from health certification, genetic source verification, and the pending national

animal identification program, we are helping our