In the class room Junior Agriculture student, Trevor Pennington, doesn’t have the typical motivation to learn that other student have in mind. Instead of focusing on passing a class, he is trying to utilize information to send to his cattle farm in Williamsport, Tenn..  Pennington said feeding cows, making sure the cows have water, and working the land are key components in cattle farming. However, he thinks the information he is learning through the Agriculture department at UT will help him successfully run his farm in the future.

Farmers have had a tough year with the drought in Tennessee. Many have had to even get out of the business because of the harsh conditions due to the lack of water.  “The drought in Tennessee affected everyone’s farm including mine. It was a heavy impact on grain and crops and the animals themselves too,” said Pennington.

Although this has caused insecurity in the farming industry, Pennington still has a positive attitude. “There’s no real uncertainty in the cattle business. It is more of the rising technology like animal ids and different diseases and such,” he said. Pennington believes the UT Agriculture department has started integrating the new technology into their curriculum. This new information will hopefully provide ways to avoid such a loss during time like a drought.

This summer’s drought hurt the pockets of many farmers especially those in need of hay. “Normally we make about 500 barrels of hay in one cutting and this year we made 100. Hay was a really scarce commodity for cattle farmers this summer. Through the winter months it’s really hard to get a hold of and even harder to pay for,” he said. While this was any expensive summer, Pennington said his family has money set aside for occasion like the drought. However, if it continues they may have to get out. “Hopefully the drought will end and the rain will fall,” said Pennington.

Often time’s students have certain classes that really prepare them for their career. Pennington considers Animal Science 381 one of those classes. “It was a very in depth overview of how to feed, and how to manage cattle, the different types of livestock as well as how to manage a business and farm,” he said. Through experience like the drought Pennington believes he is lucky to be at UT to learn about the new farming technology. He’s using this valuable information as a tool to fight against Mother Nature and not become its next victim.