Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock Forage Interface
Improved Production & Marketing of Morgan County Beef & Forage Enterprises
Sarah Fannin
Beef
Forages
Farm Management
Beef cattle and forage production remain the staples of Morgan County’s agricultural economy. According to UK Forage Extension specialists, KY farmers are only utilizing about one third of the forages they are producing. Much of the forage consumed by our livestock is too low quality to meet expected performance requirements. There is a disconnect between management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance. Extension leaders recognize need for the Morgan County Extension Educational Farm to be developed to demonstrate best management practices.
1. Livestock and forage farms will see increased income by improving existing operations or adding new enterprises.
2. Farming in Morgan County will retain its status as a significant contributor to the local economy.
3. Improved forage stands, soil health and reduced soil erosion.
1. Farmers will streamline business operating costs and/or gain confidence to implement new practices or new enterprises including an ag water quality BMP, follow soil sample results, implemented grazing plan and use of proper forage establishment methods.
2. Producers will utilize proven agronomic principles, grazing practices, forage species selection, livestock genetics, nutrition & health managment and marketing plans.
Producers will have knowledge and skills needed to evaluate their operations and make decisions concerning practices needed to improve the profitability and diversity of their hay enterprise or livestock operations. Producers will understand the importance of increasing production per animal to achieve farm profitability. They will also gain knowledge as to the importance of achieving a lower input, higher output forage system and consider non traditional forages and methods
Long-term Outcome: Livestock and forage farms will see increased income by improving existing operations or adding new enterprises.
Indicator: # of farms reporting increased profit as a result of practice change
Method: pre & post survey
Timeline: Nov, 2017 & Nov, 2020
Intermediate Outcome: Producers will utilize proven principles.
Indicator: Improved quality and quantity of hay, increased numbers of farmers utilizing fertility management practices.
Method: Previous hay test results compared to current ones, # of soil samples
Method: comparative studies
Timeline: Nov, 2017 & Nov, 2020
Initial Outcome: Producers will have knowledge and skills needed to evaluate their operations
Indicator: # of farmers reporting planned changes as result of educational activities
Method: agent survey
Timeline: June, 2017
Increased numbers of participants at Extension Farm events.
Audience: livestock & hay producers
Project or Activity: Master Hay Maker /East Ky Grazing School
Content or Curriculum: Master Hay Maker & Master Grazer
Inputs: Extension farm, specialists
Date: Fall, 2017
Audience:
Project or Activity: Mountain Cattlemen’s Association
Content or Curriculum: various topics
Inputs: specialist, KCA
Date: quarterly meetings
Audience: beef & livestock producers
Project or Activity: Field Day/On farm demonstration/Beef Shortcourse/Heifer Development
Content or Curriculum: Pasture to Plate, BQA, KBN, Growing Good Hay series
Inputs: BQA materials
Date: July, 2017 and May, 2018
Audience: hay producers
Project or Activity: use of Extension farm, county equipment use
Content or Curriculum: no til planter, hay wrapper demos
Inputs: Extension equipment, CAIP program
Date: ongoing
Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Forages
Beef cattle and forage production enterprises are the backbone of Morgan County’s agricultural economy. Baseline assessments five years ago indicated that farmers were utilizing only one third of their forage production opportunities and that their overall forages were too low in quality to meet expected animal performance requirements. Morgan County Ag Board leaders and ANR agent utilized the Morgan County Extension Educational Farm to conduct programs for forage producers including Maste
Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Soils
In a world of skyrocketing input prices for farming, we often sacrifice basic agronomic principles for flashier promises of quick or cheaper returns. Two recent stories from Morgan County forage producers highlight how simple tests saved them thousands of dollars. One hay farmer tested his soil for the first time – his results concluded that no amendments were needed. When asked how he normally fertilized his 35 acres, he replied that 1 ton of 19-19-19 was spread each yea
Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Beef
2018 was Kentucky’s wettest year on record causing livestock producers to deal with excessive and unprecedented mud, poor quality hay, ruined pastures, scours, poor nutrition and calving issues. Local veterinarians reported high cattle loss numbers especially among marginal cows and weak calves. Utilizing resources developed by UK Extension Beef Specialists, a series of meetings was developed for local producers to not only understand and combat this issue, but also how to prepare for cont
