Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Matthew Chadwick
Major Program: Forages
In 2020 our local Cattlemen’s chapter decided to reform their Chapter and separate from the larger “Purchase Area” group so that they could offer more in county activities. I have partnered with them to provide the educational component to their meetings. This year we have seen a tremendous increase in attendance at meetings and events. I assisted them in their first ever “Hay Bowl” this summer and collected over 40 hay samples in a two week time span from 15 differ
Author: Brandon Sears
Major Program: Forages
Weeds continue to spread in pastures and hayfields across Madison County. Weather events, overstocking and invasive plants have caused an increase in weeds resulting in lower forage productivity for livestock. Madison County Extension ANR agent and Dr. J.D. Green, UK Extension Weed Control Specialist, worked to provide a weed control workshop for local producers. Five different herbicides were sprayed on the pasture in demonstration plots in late June and included one new product on the market w
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Forages
Currently, Boone County is experiencing an influx of beginning farmers struggling to select crops suitable for their land, operation and, in some cases, a market to sell their product. In Boone County there is a multitude of small, hobby farms and also large commercial farms that all require hay for their livestock and horses. A large majority of these farms cannot produce their own or cannot produce enough to meet their needs. For these beginner farmers, this need for hay has become a window of
Author: Brian Jeffiers
Major Program: Forages
The 2021 outbreak of fall armyworms has proven to be a disastrous event for forage production. Hay and pasture fields can be destroyed in just a few days, leaving farmers without much-needed nutrition at such a late point in the season that replenishment is impossible. Leaders of the Highlands Beef Cattle Association identified the armyworm issue as their priority for the September meeting of the group. A total of 42 producers attended to hear agent presentations on identifying, treating, a
Author: Tyler Miller
Major Program: Forages
I had the wonderful opportunity to host the 2021 KFGC State Field Day. The host farm was a well-kept, clean farm that was more than willing to serve as the host. I had worked with this farm before, but this had only strengthened our relationship. I used this opportunity to serve as a CAIP educational event. We had the cattleman's cook and serve the food. 4 specialists from the University came and delivered timely information to a whooping crowd of 175 people from multiple counties. This was
Author: Charles May
Major Program: Forages
It was another challenging year for the annual forage testing program and contest. With COVID-19 spiking to record numbers and the second year switching from KDA doing the testing to UK, left some bugs to be worked out. The committee, formed last year, comprising of agents and specialist had several online meetings to sort through all the problems faced last season and all the challenges faced this season. All the work to correct problems encountered last year and improv
Author: Mary McCarty
Major Program: Forages
On November 13, 2021 Morehead State University, University of Kentucky, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, and Shi-bah Zing-ga Yak farm co-hosted the first Kentucky Yak Husbandry Research Conference. A total of 33 participants and presenters were in attendance for the entirety of the conference. Another 19 participants were present for portions of the event. Attendees traveled from Colorado, Wyoming, Illinois, New York, Tennessee, Indiana, Iowa and Kentucky.Presenters shared inf
Author: Lyndall Harned
Major Program: Forages
I offered a Forage Production program in response to many calls, emails and text I had received from, and general conversations I had with, local forage producers. This was a one evening, one time offering, at least at this point. It also counted as an educational component for the CAIP programWe had a nice turnout to learn more about general forage production practices and various areas involved in forage production. These included, soil fertility, fertilizer application, weed control, seeds an
Author: Brandon Sears
Major Program: Forages
Madison county ranks in the top 5 in the state of Kentucky for hay with approximately 43,600 acres produced. To help market local hay, the Madison County Extension ANR agent and the Madison County Fair Board partnered to coordinate a regional hay auction at the county fairgrounds.On Saturday January 8th, 2022 our 15th annual hay auction took place with 68 different lots of hay and straw offered for sale. The Madison County ANR agent coordinated hay testing services, some deliveries, some load ou
Author: Brian Jeffiers
Major Program: Forages
With 25 years of the East Kentucky Hay Contest complete, the need remains great to educate producers. Two Johnson County farms, one a fairly new operation and the other with several years of experience, were first-time participants in the program this year. Their sample results provided much-needed information about how the farms should supplement their respective forages with concentrates and supplements, helping to optimize animal production. Both farmers reported a history of estimating hay q
Author: Benjamin Conner
Major Program: Forages
Scott County Kentucky currently has a beef cattle herd of 28,509 head according to the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture. These cattle utilize forage as a large part of their diets. Baleage is taking baled forage, that has been wilted over a short period of time, wrapping it in plastic, and allowing it to ensile like silage. Baleage has become another way for farmers to harvest and store forage to be used in cattle diets. Baleage is still being understood and researched. I worked with Scott County
Author: Nick Roy
Major Program: Forages
In 2021, livestock farmer’s budgets were broken with a dramatic rise in fertilizer prices. Farmers were left wondering how they could meet the fertility needs of their forage crops in 2021. Demonstration work conducted by the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service in previous years surfaced quickly as one strategy livestock producers could employ to deal with high fertilizer prices. Since 2016, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service has worked with local
Author: David Embrey
Major Program: Forages
The main staple of a ruminant animal’s diet is forages. In Edmonson County, the approximately 18,000 domestic ruminant animals owned by individuals get their forages from roughly 55,000 acres that are also grazed by wild ruminant animals. Ruminant animal owners must use some land for grazing and some for making hay for the winter months. Close, continuous grazing depletes stand, as does cutting too low in hayfields, leading to the need for completely re-seeding or renovating forage stands.
Author: Douglas Shepherd
Major Program: Forages
Conducted our first Hay Contest in conjunction with local Cattlemen's Association, as an incentive to get more folks to test their forages. Both ag agents were involved in developing and conducting this program. Some 31 samples were received and entered in the contest. Local ag supply dealers provided prizes to the winners. Dr. Jimmy Henning was involved in setting up the program and actually judging the test results. He was on hand for the awarding of the winne
Author: Dee Heimgartner
Major Program: Forages
Fertilizer prices have increased drastically over the past year. This increase has caused several producers to question whether they should cut fertilizer rates on their hay fields. One Crittenden County hay producer called ANR Agent Dee Heimgartner to ask her advice on what type of nitrogen fertilizer should be used. The producer knew that his hay supply would be short for the number of cows he has if he didn't do at least a little fertilizer so he made the decision to add 50 pounds of nitr
Author: Gregory Drake
Major Program: Forages
The Simpson and Butler County Extension Agents for Agriculture developed a forage management program that would be held exclusively on Zoom video conferencing technology. The program was titled, “Forage Management Workshop” and was comprised of a 3-part series in the months of January and February with each topic featuring University of Kentucky forage and agronomy specialists. The session titles were as follows: “Forage Selection for Optimum Production”
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Forages
The Simpson and Butler County Extension Agents for Agriculture developed a forage management program that would be held exclusively on Zoom video conferencing technology. The program was titled, “Forage Management Workshop” and was comprised of a 3-part series in the months of January and February with each topic featuring University of Kentucky forage and agronomy specialists. The session titles were as follows: “Forage Selection for Optimum Production”
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Forages
In 2019, a long time farmer and hay producer, Billy Driskoll, reached out to Nikki Rhein, Marshall County's Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, for recommendations concerning his bermudagrass hay fields. Over the next two years Nikki arranged for Billy to meet with University Specialists in a private meetings, she made many field scouting visits, and provided him with recommendations for fungicides, herbicides, fertilizer products/rates, and application techniques. Today in 2022,
Author: Jonathan Oakes
Major Program: Forages
Russell County has long had the need for a local Kentucky Mesonet Weather Station. In working with a local farmer, the county judge, UK Specialist, and WKU. Russell County was able to secure the funding of and placement of our own local weather station. This station will be used not only for measuring the temperature, wind speed, dewpoint, humidity, and daily precipitation, but will also be fitted with equipment that will be used in local forage research. After conversatio
Author: David Hull
Major Program: Forages
Because of the negative attention that agricultural chemicals so commonly receive, some landowners are hesitant to apply herbicides to pastures and hay fields. In a effort to help these landowners determine whether or not a herbicide applications is warranted, the Gallatin County Extension Service conducted several Twilight Pasture Walk sessions on local farms and other properties in the county. The goals of these pasture walks were three-fold: to identify common pasture weeds; to establish
Author: Christopher Schalk
Major Program: Forages
Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the 2021 Tri-County Hay & Straw Auction. The auction returned in 2022, and to the delight of all those involved the event picked right up where it had left off. Buyers and sellers alike were glad to see the event bring together forage producers with forage buyers. Even in early 2022, producers began to see that the cost of production in the upcoming growing season was going to be significantly higher than 2021. Cost savvy livestock produc
Author: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Forages
Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the 2021 Tri-County Hay & Straw Auction. The auction returned in 2022, and to the delight of all those involved the event picked right up where it had left off. Buyers and sellers alike were glad to see the event bring together forage producers with forage buyers. Even in early 2022, producers began to see that the cost of production in the upcoming growing season was going to be significantly higher than 2021. Savvy livestock producers came to
Author: Steven Musen
Major Program: Forages
Much of Jessamine County contains rolling topography which is best suited to the production of livestock and forages. With 62,414 acres in pastureland and 29,012 acres in forage production (69.3% of total cropland), Jessamine County has the potential of supporting more than the current 20,500 total head of cattle (beef and dairy) with improved pasture efficiency through more careful management and intensive grazing. Growing Forages for livestock grazing and hay production is one of Jessami
Author: Lyndall Harned
Major Program: Forages
I have a farmer who called me a couple of years ago about a problem on his farm, and I have been working with, and advising him, related to it since that first call. He had a gas transmission line that ran through the top of a hill on his property above a pasture. There was a break of the earth that was starting to slide down the slope at the gas line, which was causing a danger to him and his home and neighbors as well.He called the gas company, and they came out and tried to convince him there
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Forages
Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the 2021 Tri-County Hay & Straw Auction. The auction returned in 2022, and to the delight of all those involved, the event picked right up where it had left off. Buyers and sellers alike were glad to see the event bring together forage producers with forage buyers. Even in early 2022, producers began to see that the cost of production in the upcoming growing season was going to be significantly higher than 2021. Cost savvy l
Author: Samuel Cofield
Major Program: Forages
The Trigg County Cooperative Extension Service in Cooperation with the Trigg County Cattlemen's Association partnered to help livestock producers better manage their herds and meet their individual goals. One way we help producers is through our IRM mineral program. Three times each year the ANR agent in cooperation with a committee of Cattlemen’s members collects bids from local feed suppliers on free choice minerals formulated per the UK IRM specs. The best prices a
Author: Gary Hamilton
Major Program: Forages
Pasture forages provide the majority of the nutrients for Montgomery County beef cattle & other livestock. Due to weather conditions, winter feeding areas & in some cases over grazing, weeds such as Buttercup have become a major problem in many pastures. These weeds compete with & reduce the availability of our desired grazing forages. The Montgomery County Extension District Board purchased a special sprayer for the ANR Agent to make available to Montgomery County farmers to help co
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Forages
Oregon State University defines Forage Quality as; “The capacity of a forage to supply animal nutrient requirements. It includes the acceptability of the forage, the chemical composition, and the digestibility of the nutrients.” Achieving good forage quality is dictated by growth rate, profit and loss, variety selection and many other factors. Caldwell County has over 8,000 acres of forages utilized for stored feed in any given year. The Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen&rsqu
Author: Reed Graham
Major Program: Forages
The Eastern Kentucky hay contest and forage testing program has been very successful in educating producers on the importance and economic impact of forage improvement. In the past two years we have seen a record number for forage samples. 1127 samples total. This program was initiated twenty-five years ago and over this period more than 6089 hay samples have been submitted for testing. The contest, which creates some
Author: Ricky Arnett
Major Program: Forages
In 2019 the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Natural Resource Conservation Service contacted me about partnering in a warm season grass project. They had maped out certain watersheds in Green County as focus points to start. This project was to intice farmers to use warm season grasses for pasture and hay. We started with one water shed located in the North East corner of the county.
Author: Jason Vaughn
Major Program: Forages
The Farmer/Banker Field Day is an annual tradition in Powell County dating back to 1981. Part agricultural field day, part community celebration, the event is beloved in the county. The program is truly a community partnership. Darrell Billings graciously hosted at Tanner Time farm. Whitaker bank provided financial support as well operated the food line. Thirteen local businesses donated items for a raffle drawing. The program provided not only ag education, b
Author: Kendal Bowman
Major Program: Forages
Owen County ranks in the top 10 in the state of Kentucky for hay with approximately 38,134 acres produced. In an effort to inform livestock producers of possible supplement needs based on the forage analysis, the Owen County Extension ANR (Agriculture & Natural Resource) agent Kendal Bowman, Owen County Fair Board, and KDA (Kentucky Department of Agriculture) partnered to coordinate a Hay Contest in conjunction with the 2022 Owen County 4-H Fair and Horse Show. This was our 6th annual hay sh
Author: Timothy Estes
Major Program: Forages
The Tri County Hay and Straw auction originally started with Monroe, Barren, and Metcalfe counties being the primary ones involved. However, in 2022 Hart County became another one to enter into the lineup with producers willing to access another avenue to connect with potential buyers.Hart county is one of the leading hay producing counties in the state with much of the hay going to the horse industry. However, there is always room for improvement for producers in increasing their ma
Author: Samuel Smith
Major Program: Forages
The UK Forage Group has recently completed a major update of the national publication Alfalfa for Beef Cows. This effort was in cooperation with the National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance. Alfalfa for Beef Cows provides producers in KY and around the country with a comprehensive guide to utilizing alfalfa in beef cattle pasture, hay and silage systems. It includes recent history of the crop, growth and agronomic management, forage quality, nutrition balancing, management tips to reduce bloat, and
Author: Timothy Stombaugh
Major Program: Forages
A unique strain of red sorghum was discovered at UK that has the ability to produce desirable complex botanical compounds called phytoalexins. Recovery of these compounds requires harvest and processing of only the leaf material from the crop. Biosystems and Agricultural Engineers worked with the crop development team to identify and develop mechanical harvest techniques and equipment to allow them to efficiently recover just the leaf material from the field.
Author: Philip Konopka
Major Program: Forages
Lewis County has a strong forage and livestock production and this is a big part of the counties farm income. According to the last Census of Agriculture (2017) Lewis County has 13,853 acres in hay production, 9,255 head of Cattle and Calves, 390 goats, and over 350 head of Horses and Ponies. Lewis County has in sales $1,365,000 in hay, $3,664,000 in cattle and calves, $83,000 in goats, and $40,000 in equine. The Lewis County ANR agent has been working with these producers to have a better
Author: Jimmy Henning
Major Program: Forages
Specialists Involved: Jimmy Henning, Chris Teutsch, Jeff Lehmkulher, Bob Coleman and Ken Andries (Kentucky State University).The Eastern Kentucky Hay Contest (EKHC) is a cooperative effort between the county agents in Eastern and Southeastern Kentucky and local cattlemen’s associations and the University of Kentucky faculty specialists in animal science, plant and soil science and also specialists from Kentucky State University. The contest began 27 years ago and involved three counties an
Author: Jimmy Henning
Major Program: Forages
Specialists Involved: Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith and Krista LeaA central Kentucky thoroughbred horse farm experienced a high incidence of fescue toxicosis symptoms in pregnant and foaling mares during early 2017. The UK Plant and Soil Science Forage Group was contacted by the farm at the advice of the consulting veterinarian. After a farm visit, the farm agreed to a program of pasture evaluation. Fields were samples for species composition, endophyte infection level, and ergovaline content. After
Author: Jimmy Henning
Major Program: Forages
Specialists involved: Chris Teutsch, Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, John GroveUKY Plant Science specialists and the Adair County KY agent for agriculture and natural resources drew a standing-room-only crowd when they addressed the timely topic of ‘Weathering High Fertilizer Prices’ at the 2022 Kentucky Cattleman’s Association annual meeting. Topics presented included hay feeding strategies to build fertility in grazing systems (Nick Roy), legumes as part of profitable ruminant live
Author: Jimmy Henning
Major Program: Forages
Specialists and Agents Involved: Jimmy Henning, Jeff Lehmkuhler, Brandon Sears, Don Sorrell, Corinne Belton, Levi Berg, April WilhoitRound bale silage (baleage) is high moisture forage that is baled and wrapping in plastic so that it undergoes anaerobic fermentation. This practice is very beneficial to forage-livestock producers because it allows forage to be cut at more optimum stages of maturity and avoid rain damage because of shorter times needed for curing. This practice has been increasing
Author: Jimmy Henning
Major Program: Forages
Specialists involved: Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris TeutschProducer leadership of the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council identified high priority educational needs in grazing and in alfalfa and stored feed production for Kentucky. UKY forage specialists used these priorities to create and implement educational programs in the fall and winter of 2021-2022 to meet producer needs. These programs featured a diverse group of speakers from the public, private and producer sector. These programs w
Author: Jimmy Henning
Major Program: Forages
Specialists involved: Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, Chris TeutschSheep and goats comprise a small but growing and profitable enterprise in Kentucky. The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Association and the UKY forages group cooperated to produce an online course for small ruminant producers to be a part of the Master Small Ruminant Producer series. New videos and publications were developed to comprise a comprehensive forage course for small ruminant producers. Over 29 original videos were produced for this
Author: Samuel Smith
Major Program: Forages
University of Kentucky forage specialists have been distributing a monthly forage newsletter called Forage News for almost 50 years. This publication highlights applied research findings from the UK forage group and the USDA-ARS forage animal production research unit located on UK's campus. The focus of the publication is to provide useful information that can be applied "on-farm" by Kentucky farmers. It is distributed to over 1800 people each month through a combination of emails
Author: Samuel Smith
Major Program: Forages
University of Kentucky Forage Specialists and Associates worked with the national Alliance for Grassland Renewal to host a virtual Novel Endophyte Tall Fescue Renovation workshop on March 8, 2022. This workshop included speakers from across the country. Participants included cattle, small ruminant and horse owners from many states as well as extension agents and NRCS conservationists. After the workshop, attendees had a much better understanding of managing existing toxic tall fescue stand
Author: Samuel Smith
Major Program: Forages
The 12th Annual Pastures Please equine program was held February 21, 2022 at the Fayette County extension office. The event was attended by over 150 in spite of the fact that Covid was limiting attendance to many similar events during this time period. Topics included Evaluating Pasture Health, Controlling Foxtail and Buttercup, and Plants That Shouldn’t Be In Your Pastures. The speaker's presentations were also recorded and to date an additional 215, 240 and 335 people have viewed eac
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Forages
Forage Improvement is a Must to survive in the cattle businessThe problem was diagnosed about 18 months prior to seeing the results on this farm. When you stepped on to this farm, you could smell the problem with the hay crop. Sweet Vernal Grass had continued to take over fields for the past 2-3 years. Sweet vernal grass was a grass that was used in the early days to sweeten up the hay to make it sell better and to make hay more appealing to livestock. However, Sweet Vern
Author: Matthew Adams
Major Program: Forages
During the summer of 2021, Hardin County held their first Hay Contest in conjunction with the local Cattlemen's Association, as an incentive to get more producers to test their forages. Both ag agents were involved in developing and conducting this program. 31 samples were received and entered in the contest. Local ag supply dealers provided prizes to the winners. Dr. Jimmy Henning was involved in setting up the program and actually judging the test results. He
Author: Christopher Teutsch
Major Program: Forages
Expanding the Impact of the UK Forage Extension!Chris Teutsch, Jimmy Henning, and Ray Smith, University of Kentucky In 2017, we established the KYForages YouTube Channel. The impact of this endeavor continues to grow. Our subscribers have almost tripled in the past four years to over 3,900. In this reporting period, content from this channel has been viewed more 160,000 times with an average watch time of just under 13 minutes resulting in a total watch time that exceeds 2
Author: Christopher Teutsch
Major Program: Forages
Responding to Escalating Fertilizer Prices Chris Teutsch, Jimmy Henning, Ray Smith, and John Grove, University of Kentucky In 2020, fertilizer prices more than doubled, negatively impacting the profitability of forage-livestock operations in the Commonwealth. We responded to escalating fertilizer prices be publishing a series of articles and designing and implementing extension programs at the county and state level on weathering high fertilizer prices. These educatio
