Beverly Cox

As the Dairy Extension Agent serving Central District I have the privilege to work with dairy producers in the counties of Franklin, Bedford, Pittsylvania, Appomattox, Campbell, Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Brunswick, Cumberland, Prince Edward, Nottoway, and Amelia.  In this role I work one-on-one with producers to improve management and ultimately profitability.  Currently, much of my time is spent addressing management in the areas of reproduction, milk quality, nutrition/feeding management, and facilities improvements.  Programming focuses shift based on the changing dynamics of the dairy industry and needs communicated by clients. 

Locally, I serve as leader for the Franklin County 4-H Dairy Club.  Youth ages 5 to 19 are welcome to participate in our club, which meets the second Tuesday of each month.  Recently I was appointed to the newly organized Franklin County Agricultural Development Board.  This board was developed as a working group to find solutions to agriculture issues within Franklin County and explore ways to improve profitability of agriculture in Franklin County. 

EDUCATION
M.S. Dairy Science, Management, May 2007
B.S. Dairy Science, Dual Emphasis Option, May 2005
B.S. Animal and Poultry Sciences, Production/Business Option with a Livestock Emphasis, May 2005
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA

EXPERIENCE

ANR Extension Agent, Dairy Virginia Cooperative Extension, Rocky Mount, VA. May 2007 – present

• Develop educational programs to improve management strategies and overall profitability of dairy farms
• Advise dairy producers on management changes to enhance profitability
• Facilitate management team meetings targeted to specific production challenges
• Assist in expansion planning including budgeting, site location, and design recommendations

Graduate Research Associate Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. August 2005 – May 2007

• Advised producers on methods to improve feeding accuracy
• Sampled TMR and forages monthly and explained causes of variation
• Analyzed changes in farm nutrient balance attributed to precision feeding
• Planned and implemented on-farm demonstrations of feed software

ACTIVITIES AND HONORS

• Franklin County Agricultural Development Board (March 2009 – current)
• Virginia Cooperative Extension Central District Program Marketing Award (December 2008)
• Virginia Association of Agriculture Extension Agents Junior Director (August 2008 - current)
• Franklin County 4-H Dairy Club leader (September 2007 – current)
• Johnes Working Group (August 2007 – current)
• Franklin County DHIA Board of Directors (June 2007 – current )
• VCE Franklin County Extension Leadership Council (May 2007 – current)
• Snowville Baptist Church Children’s Church Instructor (September 2002 – current)
  

CERTIFICATIONS

• American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists Dairy Cattle Certification – November 2007
• American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists Feed Management Certification – November 2007
• Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences Commercial Pesticide Applicator, Category 10 – October 2007
• Select Sires Artificial Insemination Short Course – November 2004