Ballard County CES

Title:

Efficient and Profitable Corn, Wheat and Soybeans Production for Ballard County Producers

MAP:

Ballard County Agriculture Stability

Agents Involved:

Tom Miller

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Grain Crops

Situation:

In Ballard County Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maximize profits for commercial ag producer

Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area

Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems

Significant percentage of producers implementing IPM practices

Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adopt usage of new technology for crop production

Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds

Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations

Implementation of on-farm trials

Initial Outcomes:

Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production

Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production

Increase understanding of production regulations

Understanding BioTech traits

Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials

Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production

Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products

Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmer knowledge and understanding will increase on Grain Production

Indicator: Higher results on Farmer Survey

Method: Crop Production Team Grower Survey

Timeline: Spring 2017

Intermediate Outcome: New Technology Use will increase

Indicator: Higher sales of products with new technology

Method: Retail dealer survey

Timeline: Fall 2018

Long-term Outcome: Farm Income will Improve

Indicator: Grain Farmer Balance sheet position will be better

Method: Use Kentucky farm Analysis Data for Comparison

Timeline: Spring 2019

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Ballard County Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Ag Newsletter

Content or Curriculum: Up to the minute information on crop production, insect and disease concerns and the latest research from UK

Inputs:Ky Pest News, Extension Specialists, Retail Ag Suppliers

Date: Monthly through year

Audience: Ballard County Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Ballard County Ag Day

Content or Curriculum: Up to date info on various grain topics

Inputs: Extension Specialists

Date: Winter 2018

Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

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Date: