Extension
It Starts With Us
Planning for the Family and Farm
Improving Production and Management
Darrell Simpson
Beef
Forages
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Farm Management
All agricultural commodities are facing an uncertain future in terms of obtaining and sustaining a profit margin. Lack of profitability could result in unintended consequences on a personal and professional level. Commodity Councils and County Extension Council members provided suggested programming input so as to try and reduce or alleviate potential hardships or economic catastrophes.
Clientele will assess business decisions and gain management and production skills that will help sustain their farm businesses.
Clientele participate in educational programs and utilize information gained.
Agricultural producers will start a dialogue within their business regarding enhanced production and management practices.
Agricultural producers will adopt production practices.
One to One visits, phone and or written surveys will be used following educational programs. This will be used throughout the four year plan of work.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.
Method: One to one visits
Timeline: Annually- 2018-2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Improved planning for production and management will be utilized.
Method: One to one visits and post program surveys will be utilized.
Timeline: After programs and on an annual basis.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Improved production practices will be utilized.
Method: One to one visits
Timeline: Annually
Audience: Agricultural Producers
Project or activity: Monthly beef and vegetable production meetings or field trips or field days and demonstrations.
Content or curriculum: Educational programs UK specialist and local ANR agent
Inputs: Agent, specialist, and volunteer time, office space
Date: Monthly on an annual basis
Audience: Agriculture producers and their family members
Project or Activity: Financial Awareness
Content or Curriculum: CAFE budgets and Farm Analysis reports
Inputs: Specialists, Farm analysis specialists and ANR agents, volunteer time, Program Support funds
Date: Program year 2018-2019
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Farm Management
Farm management includes and involves many facets of the farm business operation. Some farm businesses may be several hundred or thousands of acres requiring the need for oversize farm equipment to be transported on public highways in a safe and legal manner. Muhlenberg County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Darrell Simpson, and Curtis Dame, Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources from Hopkins county worked to produce an educational video regarding tran
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Chemical Crop Management Tools
Preparing grain crop producers to utilize dicamba based herbicides to combat problem weeds such as palmer amaranth and waterhemp was a major educational effort by the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment prior to the 2018 growing season. Curtis Dame, Darrell Simpson, and Vicki Shadrick, Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Webster counties worked with Dr. Travis Legleiter to promote and host an educational program regard
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Farm Management
Utilizing all available resources to their maximum potential is key to reducing costs and increasing profit in the beef cattle business. Darrell Simpson Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Muhlenberg County along with Kevin Laurent, Senior Associate for beef cattle production, and Dr. Chris Teutsch, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment, Forage Specialists worked with a local producer representing Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties to meet that goal
Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson
Major Program: Forages
Feed is the number one cost associated with producing beef cattle. Therefore; forage management is a key component to reducing that cost. This agent and Curtis Dame, Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hopkins County hosted a farm tour in September 2018. Thirteen producers participated in the evening tour and gained information regarding the body condition scores of cows, brood cow management, utilizing hay testing to determine nutritional value. They also gained information
