Extension
It Starts With Us
Increasing Agricultural Profitability
Increasing Agricultural Profitability
Hardy, Heisdorffer
Beef
Grain Crops
Farm Management
Integrated Plant Pest Management
A recent rapid downturn in commodity prices following a period of record profitability created a paradigm shift in how producers face an uncertain future. Massive erosion of equity has already begun as producers maintain payments on machinery and land purchased during the peak of profit taking. Row crop agriculture, animal livestock production and tobacco are all enterprises maintained on Daviess county farm businesses. Producers face the challenge of continuing production practices adopted during the peak profit period when the return on investment was much greater. No one seeks to allow yields to decline but producers must face the challenge of responsible farm management and determine inputs and enterprises which grow profit rather than erode equity. Input sources, contracts and machinery replacement must be carefully considered and producers will rely on unbiased research based information provided by the university in seeking profitable farm management practices.
Situation:
Fruit and vegetable production is an important industry in Daviess County for wholesale, road side stand, and farmers’ market growers. As in field crop production, careful consideration must be given to inputs used in growing fruits and vegetables, or deciding when to make the investment into production practices such as using high tunnels to extend the growing season. Growers look to the unbiased, researched information provided by the University of Kentucky to make informed decisions.
Daviess County Agricultural producers will remain successful into the future, providing opportunities for expansion and for a successful succession to the next generation of family interested in continuing the business
Clientele will endeavor to persevere as the adopt practices and farming methods in grain and livestock which lower costs, maintain yields and improve soil through stewardship. Clientele will adopt farming practices which increase their net revenue potential. Quality of produce will increase.
Clientele will utilize Daviess County research and demonstration data to make informed decisions as they adjust to lower revenues. Clientele will gain knowledge and awareness of improved farming practices.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Daviess County farms will continue profitable management providing the opportunity for the next generation to transition successfully, clientele will adopt farming and management practices which provide security in profitability, clientele will learn about agricultural production techniques which provide the greatest return on investment.
Method: Survey Evaluation, Observation
Timeline: Winter 2018, 2019, 2020
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Ag expo
Content or Curriculum: grain production research update
Inputs: ANR, extension specialists, local agricultural businesses
Date: January 2019
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: private pesticide applicator certification
Content or Curriculum: grain production weed & insect update
Inputs: ANR, specialists
Date: Winter 2019
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Daviess County research and demonstration plots
Content or Curriculum: grain, tobacco, livestock
Inputs: ANR, local agriculture businesses
Date: Fall 2018, Spring 2019
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: CPH45
Content or Curriculum: Beef Marketing & Management
Inputs: ANR, Extension specialists
Date: February 2019
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Beef IRM
Content or Curriculum: understanding animal nutrition
Inputs: ANR, extension specialists, KBN
Date: February 2018
Audience: Farmers
Project or activity: Fertilizer Summit
Content or curriculum: increasing understanding of fertilizer & inputs in crop production
Inputs: ANR, extension specialists
Date: November 2017
Audience: Vegetable producers
Project or activity: Vegetable Production Meeting
Content or curriculum: UK information
Inputs: Horticulture Agent, extension specialists
Date: January/February 2019
Author: Annette Heisdorffer
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Produce growers use greenhouses to provide ripe tomatoes to consumers early in the season to capture premium prices in the spring. Also, the structure protects plants from wind and rain, and allows for the management of fertilizer applications and water while growing plants in pots. The University of Kentucky Extension specialists and the Daviess County Horticulture agent worked with a grower who was losing about 400 pounds of tomato fruit to blossom end rot. This problem is often caused by
Author: Clinton Hardy
Major Program: Ag Policy
The Agricultural Act of 2014 became law with less reliance on direct subsidy and adoption of a payment model based on price and risk coverage triggers. Daviess County landowners had an important decision which required knowledge gained through educational programming by Dr. Todd Davis’, UK Extension Grain Marketing Specialist. Through a series of meetings provided at the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service, landowners learned about the new farm bill and how to calculate price loss
Author: Clinton Hardy
Major Program: Grain Crops
Land utilized for corn and soybean production comprises approximately 122,000 acres, more than 40% of Daviess County’s land surface. Combined, their gross value annually meets or exceeds 66 million dollars. The Daviess County Extension grain variety demonstration plots for corn and soybeans are the most trusted and relied upon source of data chosen by farmers and landowners when selecting brands to plant on their farms. Major regional and national seed suppliers contact t
Author: Clinton Hardy
Major Program: Tobacco
Diversification of Daviess County agricultural enterprises has been an ongoing effort the past 20 years following a period of enterprise consolidation. Farms spent much of the 1980’s and 1990’s transitioning from multiple livestock, grain and tobacco enterprises to concentration of resources of only two or three grain crops in rotation, an expansion of tobacco production following the introduction of the H2A guest worker p
Author: Clinton Hardy
Major Program: Grain Crops
The 2014 Farm Bill included a provision allowing industrial purpose hemp production in the United States for research and demonstration production knowledge gain. Participating states were required to create a grower application and vetting system to ensure regulatory requirements were upheld. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture was quick to implement a system which provides individuals and universities the opportunity to participate in pr
Author: Clinton Hardy
Major Program: Farm Management
Commodity grain producers and landowners have endured five years of paradigm shift adjusting to lower commodity prices and subsequent revenue in 2019 and foreseeable future. Assets and debt acquired during the dramatic climb in revenues between 2008 and 2014 have become an obstacle for many farm businesses to overcome. With no substantial increase in revenue predicted for the next ten years according to the USDA, some businesses face the risk of depleting equity in order to cash flow
