The strength of the beef industry has always been built on the dedication of its producers, industry members, and supporters. As production demands evolve the landscape of agricultural production continues to change, equipping the next generation of passionate, knowledgeable, and confident advocates is as important as ever. The Georgia Elite Stockman Program creates a unique space for students to turn their interest in the beef industry and agriculture into a passion that helps launch their professional journey. Made possible by the generous support of the Georgia Commodity Commission for Beef, the UGA Animal and Dairy Science Department and the UGA Beef Team are proud to offer this immersive experience to help young leaders discover their strengths and prepare for a successful future in the beef industry.
On July 13th, 2026 – we welcomed our third class of ‘Elite Stockmen’ to Athens for a three-day hoof-to-plate learning journey. Students kicked off the week with a visit to the UGA Meat Science Technology Center, where they participated in harvesting and fabrication demonstrations, as well as a ruminant digestive anatomy wet lab, gaining a comprehensive look at the biological systems and processing methods that are essential to high-quality beef production. On farm, students learned and practiced Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) standards during a chuteside cattle handling workshop. The group also engaged in advanced reproduction labs, including a reproductive anatomy dissection, chuteside pregnancy diagnosis, and proper semen handling techniques.
Beyond the hands-on experiences, the program places strong emphasis on leadership and advocacy. We brought in guest speakers and ran interactive exercises to help students tackle public perception and navigate through industry conversations with confidence. They put their skills to the test in mock media interviews, practiced how to read the room during professional interactions, and learned how to tell the livestock story with honesty, confidence and credibility.
For the ‘plate’ portion of their journey, students participated in a steak grilling competition. A special thank you to UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Dean & Director, Dr. Nick Place, and UGA Animal and Dairy Science Department Head, Dr. Francis Fluharty, for taking the time to serve as our guest judges.
We ended the week under the Gold Dome with a trip to the Georgia State Capitol to get a firsthand look at how policy shapes the beef cattle industry. Students got an up-close view how the legislative process works—tracing a bill from drafting and committee reviews all the way to the chamber floor. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and State Representative David Huddleston for hosting our group!.
A program of this caliber is only possible through the dedication of our industry partners, faculty, and staff. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who volunteered their time, knowledge, and passion to mentor this group. Their commitment to investing in these students ensures a bright and resilient future for the Georgia beef industry!
For more information about the program, visit our website. You can also contact Marrissa Blackwell (marrissa@uga.edu) or Jason Duggin (jduggin@uga.edu) with any questions.