Extension
It Starts With Us
Local Commodities Provide Agriculture Income
Promoting Local Commodities, Forages, and Livestock
Shane Bogle, Rhonda Jewell, Ashley White
Beef
Forages
Local Food Systems
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Caldwell County cattle inventories have risen sharply in the last two years. Lower commodity prices and premiums for quality beef have caused a shift. Caldwell has seen an increase in specialized production for beef and pork to meet a niche market including direct to restaurants and freezer beef and pork operations. The equine industry is still thriving in Caldwell. Plans for facility upgrades and a show arena are in the works. Beef profits are often limited because of "old school" techniques producers are slow to let go. Year round calving, poor pasture and hay management, and lack of record keeping to name a few.
Beef producers will increase profitability through improved nutrition, herd health and genetics.
Beef producers will increase profitability through better management of forage systems and improved forage and feed storage facilities.
Beef producers will keep accurate records of birth and weaning weights, sales receipts and follow better marketing protocols.
Equine producers will better utilize Extension programs to expand and promote horses in Kentucky.
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through their experiences 4-H.
Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
Increase membership in Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen's Association.
Beef producers will utilize forage and soil testing services to make better management decisions.
Beef producers will utilize improved marketing such as the CPH-45 sales.
Beef producers will participate in cost share programs through the CAIP (Phase I).
Increase participation in the Fredonia Valley Riding Club
Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily lives to others.
Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
Beef producers will understand the benefits of CPH-45 sales as well as the UK bred heifer sales.
Beef producers will understand the importance of Beef Quality Assurance in the sellers market.
Beef producers will participate in the Phase I cost share programs
Equine producers will utilize UK Programs to be better producers.
Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
Initial Outcome: Beef producers will adopt recommended practices of forage management, nutrition, genetics, and herd health to increase revenues.
Indicator: More participation in CPH-45 sales, Phase I cost-share programs, and the Cattlemen’s Association
Method:follow up farm visits from Phase I cost share recipients/Phase I reports
Timeline:Within 12 months of programs
Intermediate Outcome: Equine producers will attend UK Sponsored programs.
Indicator: Producers will increase knowledge in programs and practices recommended by UK
Method: Observation/farm visits
Timeline: On-going
Long-term Outcome: Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
Indicator: The number of youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned and improved by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity.
Method: Observation over time
Timeline: On-Going
Audience: Beef IRM Farm Program (4 farms)
Project or Activity: Beef IRM Farm Program
Content or Curriculum: Pasture to Plate
Inputs: UK
Date: 2018-2019 ongoing
Audience: Wranglers Camp, Fredonia Valley Riding Club
Project or Activity: Equine Short Course
Content or Curriculum: UK/Industry Specialists
Inputs: Horse College
Date: Fall 2018
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: CPH-45
Content or Curriculum: UK
Inputs: UK
Date: Fall, Summer ongoing
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance
Content or Curriculum: UK
Inputs: UK
Date: Yearly as needed
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Caldwell/Lyon Cattlemen's Association
Content or Curriculum: UK and Industry professionals
Inputs: UK/local supporters
Date: Spring/summer/fall each year
Audience: 4-H Livestock Club
Project or Activity: Livestock Judging
Content or Curriculum: UK
Inputs: UK/local supporters
Date: Spring -Summer 2019
Audience: Equine Producers
Project or Activity: Horse College
Content or Curriculum: Horse College
Inputs: UK
Date: Fall 2018
Audience: Caldwell County Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Vet Science
Content or Curriculum: UK 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Dr. Stan Rogers, Dr. Libby Maddux, volunteers
Date: February 2019
Audience: Equine Producers
Project: NRCS Pasture Improvement Project (3 Farms)
Content: UK Forage Specialists/NRCS Regulations
Inputs: UK, NRCS
Date: 2018-2019 On-going
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Forages
According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Caldwell County had 538 farm operations on 133,499 acres, which represented 60.5% of total county land. Just over 12,000 acres are in hay or other forages. Helping producers harvest an ample supply of high quality forage has been a program push in Caldwell County for several years. Caldwell County utilizes Dairy One labs in New York for all forage test results.Using direct mailings, social media posts, beef IRM farm visits, cattlemen association
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Grain Crops
Industrial Hemp has been a long standing tradition in Kentucky. In the 19th and 20th century Kentucky was the world leader in hemp production. Then in the 1970’s the war on drugs outlawed the sale and production of cannabis sativa and made it a schedule 1 substance. In 2014 a bill was passed that allowed Kentucky to start growing and researching hemp development and production to offset a slowing tobacco industry. In 2014 there were 20 approved growers and 33 acres
Author: Shane Bogle
Major Program: Tobacco
No matter ones feelings on tobacco, its production has a colorful history and its tradition runs deep in Caldwell County. Since the 1800's, this area has consistently produced high yielding and fine quality tobacco. Production levels for dark fired, air cured, and burley in Caldwell County surpassed 1,240,000 lbs. in 2018. Producers face constant challenges in producing a high quality product. Labor regulations, changing GAP procedures, major diseases, and major weather eve
