By Tabitha Evans Moore | EDITOR & PUBLISHER
LYNCHBURG — The dust has settled after last week’s announcement that The Jack Daniel Distillery will phase out their Cow Feeder Program in 2026, and now it’s time for local farmers to figure out what’s next. Three state ag powerhouses – the University of Tennessee Institute for Agriculture and two farmer-owned cooperatives, Farm Credit of Mid-America and United Producers –have teamed up to help local cattle producers find new solutions.
They will host a free Farm Feed Solutions Meeting next Tuesday at the Jack Daniel Employee Resource Center. Moore County UT Extension Agent Will Thomas will lead that discussion. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Tennessee Tech and is a certified Beef Quality Assurance Trainer.
We caught up with him on Thursday to ask a few questions about what area farmers should expect next Tuesday.
Q: What immediate challenges do you foresee for local farmers once the Cow Feeder Program fully ends in 2026?
Thomas: Transitioning will be a challenge. Feeding slop has been the way that we have fed cattle locally for a long time. Some area farmers just aren’t accustomed to how the rest of the state’s producers feed. There will be a transition period, but it’s feasible. There are tons of operations across the state successfully practicing the things we will be talking about on Tuesday.
Q: At next week’s meeting, what alternative feeding solutions will be on the table for discussion?
Thomas: I think Jack Daniel’s will still play a part – especially with dried distiller’s grains (DDGs) and syrup. DDGS and syrup will probably become a mainstay in rations. There are also things like silage corn, silage hay, pelletized feed, soybean meal – stuff like that. Hay will also become a big crop locally. We’ll need to focus on getting hay cut at the right time, and having higher quality forage available as well.
Q: Are there regional or state-level programs or subsidies that could help bridge the gap in feed costs for local producers?
Thomas: That’s one of the topics I hope to delve into on Tuesday. I do not have a list of those subsidies with me, but I imagine there will be some form of help available.
There’s also the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP). It’s a cost share program for farmers. Qualifying producers can sign up between October 1-7 for help with things like hay equipment, hay storage, livestock equipment, and more.
Q: Do you think this shift could reshape Moore County agriculture in the long run — for example, fewer cattle operations but more diversification into other crops or products?
Thomas: I’m really hoping that’s the switch we see, and that we don’t see people sell out of the industry completely. There’s always a need for more more forage producers. For those who have pastures, rotational grazing is an option. Obviously, some local farms aren’t set up to have those options – either because they are set up as feedlots or don’t have the resources. Farms set up on rocky hillsides are going to have a harder time switching just because of the nature of the operation that they set up.
Q: What advice would you give to younger or beginning farmers who may feel especially vulnerable right now?
Thomas: UT has great program called The MANAGE Program, which stands for Measuring, Analyzing, Navigating, and Achieving Goals Effectively. It helps farmers develop individualized farm and financial plans. It really helps producers operate these farms as a business. It helps them learn how to set budgets, get Livestock Risk Protection (LPR) insurance plans in place, and start marketing their products. It also encourages diversification. For example, say a local farmer ran feedlots exclusively. Now, they might incorporate a cow-calf operation.
The Farm Feed Solutions Meeting will take place next Tuesday (September 30) at 6 p.m. at the Jack Daniel Employee Resource Center located at 1611 Fayetteville Highway in Lynchburg. The event will be free to attend and a barbecue dinner for all attendees will be provided. Farm Credit Mid-America and United Producers are the title sponsors the event. If you have questions, reach out to Thomas at 931-759-7163 or willthoma32@utk.edu. •
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