Henry County Livestock ProductionPlan of Work

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Henry County CES

Title:
Henry County Livestock Production
MAP:
Livestock Production
Agents Involved:
Levi Berg, Cathy Toole
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Situation:

According to the 2012 census, Henry County had a total of $12,277,00 in animal sales. Cattle ranked highest at 79% of sales, while equine, breed/stud fees and small ruminants hold 21%. Forages also accounted for $386.232 annually. With this being said, livestock and forage production systems are extremely important to Henry County's agricultural production.

Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. Every person in Kentucky is impacted by Agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in their clothes, homes, work places and vehicles.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved farm economic status

Sustainability of farm

Long term viability

Producers save money


Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.

Youth will gain and maintain employment through life skill development.

You will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food

systems.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency

Test forage for nutritional quality

Utilize a complete mineral supplement program

Implement crossbreeding program

Make EPD and selection decisions

Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation

Implement use of multiple types of forages


Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employ-ability.

Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.

Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.

Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products

Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.

Initial Outcomes:

Participants obtained BQA certification

Participants become aware of forages, nutrition, breeding, health, end products, animal management, and economics and marketing


Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Youth will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.

Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.

.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Participants obtain BQA certification. Participants become aware of forages, nutrition, breeding, health, end products, animal management, and economics and marketing

Method: surveys before and after programs, and number of attendees to programs

Timeline: Spring, Summer and Fall of 2019


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Individuals utilize more grazing systems and forages. Use more strigent reproduction selection, and increase veterinarian exams.

Method: Reports from NRCS, FSA, KDA, and local veterinarian offices. Surveys in the winter of 2018

Timeline: summer and fall 2019


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Farm become more profitable, health of animals increase, and improved farm economic status

Method: surveys in winter of 2017, reports from KDA about animal and forage sales, utilize reports from NRCS and FSA about use of programs, and utilize reports from local veterinarians

Timeline: fall and winter 2019


Initial Outcome: Regular participation by 4-H club members,learning about the basic care and feeding of animals.

Indicator: Animals are being well cared for and treated humanely.

Method: Observation by club leader. Sign in sheets listing participation.

Timeline: Fall to Summer 2019


Intermediate Outcome: Youth complete the 6 hours of required training.

Indicator: Youth are more knowledgeable about foods systems and more advanced in working with animals.

Method: Observation by club leader, attendance in workshops and training's outside club meetings. Youth become more involved in showing, judging and quiz bowl activities.

Timeline: Fall to Summer 2019


Long Term Outcome: Youth will be knowledgeable in selecting animals to purchase.

Indicator: Understand how to get the best nutrition for their animal, evaluate the animal for signs of sickness and determine when to call a vet for assistance. Be able to use their knowledge to enhance their income.

Method: Observation by leader, level of participation at state events, the number of animals purchased by the youth.

Timeline: Fall to summer 2019


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, Owners, Veterinarians,

Project or Activity: Livestock nutrition seminars

Content or Curriculum: UK nutrition seminars

Inputs: UK specialist, KDA, Veterinarians

Date: Feb 2019


Audience: Farmers, Owners, students

Project or Activity: Forage field days

Content or Curriculum: UK forage research

Inputs: Extension agents, Extension Specialist, NRCS

Date: May and June 2019


Audience: Farmers, Owners, Students, Veterinarians, NRCS, FSA

Project or Activity: Regional Beef Field Day

Content or Curriculum: UK, NRCS, FSA, KDA research and information

Inputs: Extension Specialist, NRCS, FSA, KDA

Date: Oct 2019


Audience: Farmers, Owners, Students, Veterinarians

Project or Activity: Master Cattlemen

Content or Curriculum: UK and KDA research and information

Inputs: Extension Specialist, Extension Agents

Date: May - September 2019


Audience: Farmers, Owners, Students

Project or Activity: Henry County Youth Best Beef Contest

Content or Curriculum: UK, KDA, Extension research and information

Inputs: Extension Specialist, Henry County Cattlemen's Association, Trackside Butcher Shoppe, 4-H Livestock Club

Date: March - October 2019


Audience: Livestock Club Members

Project or Activity: Henry County 4-H Livestock Club

Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, certified leader, financial support, facilities

Date: October-August 2019


Audience: Rabbit and Poultry Club Members

Project or Activity: Henry County 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Club

Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, training for leader, financial support

Date: October-August 2019


Audience: Horse Club Members

Project or Activity: Henry County 4-H Horse Club

Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, certification for leader, financial support

Date: October- May 2019


Audience: Country Ham Project Members

Project: Curing a Country Ham

Inputs: UK Approved curriculum, certification for leader, built a ham house on site.

Date: January - August 2019



Success Stories

2018 Regional Beef Field Day

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Beef

Henry County, like many other former tobacco dependent counties, has had a renewed push towards beef production. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Henry County has nearly $1,000,000 in beef animal sales yearly, so the Henry County Extension Office joined with the Oldham County Extension Office, Shelby County Extension Office, and Trimble County Extension Office to host the 2018 Regional Beef Field Day. The 2018 Regional Beef Field Day was held at Allison Acres Charolais in New Castle,

Full Story

Raising the Steaks

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Beef

Educating local beef producers is a high priority in Shelby and Henry Counties. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, total beef animal sales yearly in the combined counties totals nearly $25 million, emphasizing the need for beef producers to take herd management and marketing decisions seriously.  Increasing consumer demand for locally sourced protein and Shelby and Henry Counties’ proximity to urban markets in Louisville and Frankfort, provide incentives for producers t

Full Story

Henry County Youth Livestock Foundation

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Ag Marketing

Due to Henry County’s topography and soil, animal production has always been strong with in Henry County. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Henry County has nearly $12,277,000 in animal sales, and the average age of the farmer is 57.6 years old according to the USDA Census of Agriculture. With this knowledge, the Henry County Extension Office wanted to find ways to encourage youth to begin or stay in animal agriculture. The Henry County Extension Office decided to partner with l

Full Story

Small Ruminant Series

Author: Levi Berg

Major Program: Small Ruminants

Due to Henry County’s topography and soil, animal production has always been strong in Henry County. Even though cattle production dominants the livestock field, small ruminant production such as goats and sheep contribute over $180,000 annual in sales, and there are over 2,100 head of small ruminant in Henry County according to the 2017 USDA Agricultural Census. With this knowledge, Henry County Extension’s Summer Intern and Agricultural Agent decided to host a series of small rumin

Full Story
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