R&R Livestock Equipment

Southwest Virginia Beef Builder cost-share

How this program works, in plain words.

Cost-share help from R&R

We’ll help you get started

You don’t have to figure out the Virginia program alone. Our part is gathering the info the program needs and getting it in front of the right person, so they can get things moving.

Tell us what you’re interested in. A chute, alley, tub or corral — and your county.
We gather what the program needs. An itemized quote on R&R letterhead, plus the product specs and info your local office asks for.
We get it to the right person, with you copied. We send it to the program office or agent who handles your application, with you on the email, so they can get things moving.

Rather talk? Call Matt at 334-590-7535.

The program decides who qualifies and how much it pays. We help you get started.

For reference

Program details

In Southwest Virginia, the Beef Builder cost-share has been run by the Abingdon Feeder Cattle Association with Virginia Cooperative Extension. It’s a regional program, not statewide. There’s no open round right now — the funding is fully committed (per the program office, Nov 2026).

Official program info: Beef Builder guidelines (older, PDF) · Request form (PDF) · Abingdon Feeder Cattle Assn. contact

Who runs it: Abingdon Feeder Cattle Association with your county Extension office
Where: Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe counties
How much: No open round right now — the program’s funding is fully committed (per the program office, Nov 2026).
Deadlines: No open round right now. The program office says the contracts already awarded use the last of the funding the Tobacco Commission will give AFCA. There could be a few new contracts in 2027 if producers awarded in 2026 don’t use all of their funding (per the program office, Nov 2026).

Who qualifies (older guidelines)

Residents / owners in the 12 counties above.
Older guidelines also required a set herd size, current BQA and selling through the association’s sales. The program office has the current rules, and we can check them for you.
You’ll need your FSA farm and tract number (it’s on the request form).

What equipment qualifies (older guidelines)

Headgates, squeeze chutes, crowding pens and scales. The request form has a “Facilities and Handling” line.
New equipment only.

What the receipt must show

It pays back on receipts. The program office sets the exact receipt rules, and we can check them for you.

Applying isn’t a guarantee. Meeting the minimum requirements gets you into the pool of applicants, and then the program picks who gets funded, usually by ranking applications with a scoring system, so not everyone who qualifies is selected. A complete application turned in early gives you the best shot, and we’ll help you get started.

How it works, step by step

No open round right now — the funding is fully committed, with possibly a few openings in 2027 (per the program office, Nov 2026). Don’t buy expecting cost-share until the program office says you’re approved. If a round opens, the usual order is:

Apply through the program office or your county Extension office before you buy. We can make the first contact for you. Most programs won’t pay for anything bought before approval.
Get an itemized quote from us in the landowner’s name to send with your application.
Wait for approval.
Buy.
Send the paid invoice or receipt to get reimbursed.

Each office sets its own order, and we can confirm it with yours for you.

Program contacts (we can reach out for you)

Program office: Abingdon Feeder Cattle Association (with Virginia Cooperative Extension)
Official site: AFCA contact page
Scott Jessee: 276-889-8056 · djessee@vt.edu
Or your county Extension office in the 12 counties above.