Beef/Livestock ProductionPlan of Work

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Elliott County CES

Title:
Beef/Livestock Production
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Ag agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farm Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Soils
Situation:

According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture there are 6,196 cattle and calves on 389 farms in Elliott County. With the increase in beef prices over the past several years in the United States many beef producers in Elliott County are considering increasing the size of their cow calf operations with their increased profits.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Elliott County cattle producers will decrease invasive weed populations in their pasture and hay fields by ten percent leading to a 30 day longer grazing period. Elliott County cattle producers will also increase their weaning weights by five percent and begin utilizing EPD's for genetic selection. Elliott County cattle producers will also begin incorporating Artificial Insemination into their breeding operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

-Elliott County cattle producers who partake in the CPH 45 sales will increase by five percent.

-Elliott County cattle producers will begin utilizing soil test to balance nutrients in their pasture and hay fields.

-Elliott County cattle producers will begin evaluating there pasture land to increase their grazing days.

Initial Outcomes:

-Elliott County cattle producers will become Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) certified.

-Elliott County cattle producers will develop and adopt recommended vaccination programs and incorporate them into there operations.

Elliott County cattle producers will increase their overall knowledge of management, genetics and marketing.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Elliott County cattle producers will increase overall knowledge of management, genetics and marketing.

Method: Follow up surveys with producers

Timeline: After each meeting with producers


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Elliott County cattle producers will utilize soil test to balance nutrients and soil test will increase by ten percent.

Method: Total number of pasture soil test in the Soil Data Program.

Timeline: End of each calendar year.


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Elliott County cattle producers will increase their weaning weights by five percent.

Method: Elliott County Ag Statistics and producers records.

Timeline: After each calf crop is weaned and sold

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, Farmers, Ag Council Members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: Annual Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations

Inputs: Ag agents, UK Specialists and Farmers

Date: September


Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, Farmers, Ag Council Members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: Educational Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Cattlemen's Association

Inputs: Guest speakers

Date: November, December, February and April


Audience: Livestock producers and Farmers

Project or Activity: Stocker program 

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and Lectures

Inputs: Ag agents, Vets, UK Specialists and Farmers

Date: April-September 


Audience: Elliott County Livestock producers, Farmers, Ag Council Members and Eastern Foothills Cattlemen's Association

Project or Activity: Cow Calf Conference

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrations and Lectures

Inputs: Specialist from other states

Date: November



Success Stories

2018 East Kentucky Hay Contest

Author: Keith Center

Major Program: Forages

2018 East Kentucky Hay Contest

Hay and pasture production is a leading component of agriculture production in Elliott County. According to the 2017 United States Department of Agriculture Statistics Service data indicated 20,500 tons of hay are harvested on approximately 7,900 acres of farm land in the county. Therefore, the Elliott County Agriculture Council and CEA for ANR felt that forage testing was essential for the farmers in Elliott County and signed up to participate in the East Kentucky Hay Contest for the second con

Full Story

2018 Movie Field Day

Author: Keith Center

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

2018 Movie Field Day

A field day was hosted by the Elliott County Agriculture Council and Cooperative Extension Agent for ANR Keith Center, at the Elliott County High School on October 6, 2018. Topics included: Fencing and On-Farm Water, Forage Improvement, Forage and Grain Improvement, Farm Infrastructure Grain Bins, and Tech and Leadership Farm Safety.Concluding the field day, was the Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) Certification training videos and exams where 42 producers attended and completed the traini

Full Story
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