Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving the Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability of Agriculture Operations
Agriculture Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability
Don Sorrell
Beef
Forages
Sustainable Agriculture
Farm Management
According to KY Agriculture Statistics and USDA Farm Census data, Campbell County has approximately 500 farms, averaging 84 acres. Approximately 75% of all Campbell County farming operations are livestock (mostly beef) and forages. Annual gross receipts is just over 8 million dollars while net farm income averages less than $5,000 per farm. With these thoughts in mind, Agriculture and Community leaders representing the CEC, Agriculture Council, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, County Cattle Association and Beef Association have identified a continued need to improve the sustainability and profitability of farming operations in Campbell County. Producers need to implement best management practices that will help them manage inputs, improve production and increase net farm profitability while improving the natural resources of the farm.
Campbell County farmers will show improved farm production and profitability after implementing recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Farmers will become more sustainable through the implementation of these practices.
Campbell County farmers will begin to improve farm production and profitability after implementing recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Farmers will become more sustainable through the implementation of these practices.
Farmers will learn how to improve their production, marketing and natural resource management practices that will help to enhance farm production, profitability and sustainability. Through the participation of education programs and hands-on learning opportunities, farmers will gain knowledge needed to implement these management practices.
Initial Outcome:
Individuals indicate that they gained knowledge and aspire to implement practices on their farm. Farmers will increase knowledge in improved management practices by participating in programs and field days.
Indicator:
Gain evidence through program evaluations, observations and testimonies with producers that indicated increased knowledge gained on recommended production, marketing and natural resource management practices. Increase participation by farmers in educational programs addressing production and natural resources management practices.
Method: Program surveys, testimonials, observations, participation numbers
Timeline: All year, after programs
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Number of farmers indicating implementation of the best management and natural resources practices needed to increase farm productivity and profitability.
Method: Farm Visits, testimonials, mailed surveys
Timeline: all year, 3 to 6 months after programs,
Long-term Outcome: Farmers will become more productive, and profitable after implementing the best management production and natural resources practices needed to increase farm efficiency, productivity and profitability.
Indicator: Number of farmers indicating increased production, efficiency and profitability after implementing the best management production and natural resources practices.
Method: Post program surveys, farm visits, testimonials, number of implemented practices
Timeline: all year, surveys 6 to 12 months after programs.
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Cattle Vaccine Program
Content: Health care program for selecting and using implants, fly control and de-worming products
Inputs: Ag agent, specialist(s)
Date: November 2018 or March 2019
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Understanding and Using EPD’s for Bull Selection
Content or Curriculum: Beef Genetics
Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents
Date: November 2018
Audience: Farmers and Landowners
Project or Activity: Fencing School
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Fencing Companies, UK Specialist, Agent
Date: November 2018
Audience: Agriculture and Horticulture Producers
Project or Activity: Soil Health
Content or Curriculum: Soil Health
Inputs: Soils Specialist, Agent
Date: December 2018
Audience: Small Flock Poultry Producers
Project or Activity: Backyard Poultry Production
Content or Curriculum: Breeds, Nutrition, Health, Housing and Disease
Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents
Date: March 2019
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Crossbreeding Basics
Content or Curriculum: Crossbreeding
Inputs: agents, specialists
Date: February 2019
Audience: Livestock/Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Master Hay Maker Series
Content or Curriculum: Master Hay Maker Program
Inputs: UK specialists, agents
Date: February, March 2019
Audience: Campbell County Farmers
Project or Activity: Forage Testing & Ration Balancing Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Dairy One Forage Testing/UK Ration Balancing Program
Inputs: Forage samples, UK publications specialists, agent
Date: November/December 2018
Audience: Campbell County Farmers
Project or Activity: CAIP/ Beginning Farmer Cost Share Programs
Content or Curriculum: CAIP/Beginning Farmer Grant Programs
Inputs: CAIP Guidelines, County Investment programs
Date: May and June 2019
Audience: Campbell County Farmers
Activity: Soil Testing Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Soil Testing Program
Inputs: UK soil lab, soil test recommendations, agent
Date: July 2018 - June 2019
Audience: Beef/Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Beef/Forage Tour
Content or Curriculum: Beef/Forage Production Practices
Inputs: Host farms, Cattle Association Board, Agent, Participants
Date: October 2018
Audience: Beef/Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Twilight Beef Forage Tour
Content or Curriculum: Local Farm Tour
Inputs: Campbell County Host Farms
Date: July, August 2018
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Bull Breeding Soundness Exam
Content or Curriculum: Bull BSE
Inputs: Producers, Veterinarians, Agent
Date: April 2019
Audience: Agriculture Council
Project or Activity: Ag Issues meetings
Content or Curriculum: program planning
Inputs: Ag leaders and Ag agent
Date: November, December 2018
Audience: Campbell County Cattle Association Board of Directors/general membership
Project or Activity: Board meetings and annual membership meeting
Content or Curriculum: Program planning and prioritization
Inputs: CCCA leaders, agriculture agent and CCCA members
Date: Monthly meetings, Second Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
Author: Don Sorrell
Major Program: Equine
I had the opportunity to serve as secretary of the UK Equine Summit Committee. In the past, this committee has hosted an Equine Summit program that focused on equine issues of the horse industry (mostly thoroughbreds) in KY. Prior to our first 2018 planning meeting, I suggested we focus the 2018 Equine Summit around meeting the needs of Extension Ag and Natural Resources agents and 4-H agents as it relates to equine programs in their county. The Committee was very receptive to the ide
Author: Don Sorrell
Major Program: Forages
During the fall of 2017, the Campbell County Agriculture Council identified the need for more in-depth forage production programs. After a second meeting, the Master Grazer Program (Spring 2018) and the Master Haymaker Program (Spring 2019) became the foundation for more intensive forage production programs for Campbell County farmers. After a very productive Master Grazer Program (five part series/52 participants) during the spring of 2018 a Pasture Management Field Day was held on July 10
Author: Don Sorrell
Major Program: Beef
2018 a Year of Rain and Challenges As an Agriculture agent you often need to react to the challenges that the local farmers are facing at that very moment. Unfortunately these challenges are often the results of weather events (that we have no control over) such as drought, storms or in the case of the spring of 2018 and the winter of 2018/2019, TO MUCH RAIN. The impact of what most farmers would consider too much rain resulted in poor quality hay in 2018 and mud beyond belief for liv
Author: Don Sorrell
Major Program: Grain Crops
Todd and Nancy Kloentrup called me with a voice of urgency and asked for help in determining what to do with 20 acres of silage corn that had been totally immersed (under water for up to 6 days) due to heavy summer rains. I coordinated a farm visit with Dr. Chad Lee, UK Grain Crops Extension Specialists, to look at the flooded corn. Three other farmers, who had flooded corn, also participated in our farm visit. This corn represented a major part of the Kloentrup’s winter feeding
