Agricultural PracticesPlan of Work

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Henderson County CES

Title:
Agricultural Practices
MAP:
Agricultural and Science Needs
Agents Involved:
Lambert
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Grain Crops
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Integrated Plant Pest Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Beef
Situation:
There are many agricultural commodities in Henderson County. In 2014, Henderson County was in the top grain producing counties in the state, and has been for many years. Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future. Cattle production in Henderson County is another major area of production. There are over 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars and may reach that level in 2014 with record high beef prices. Even with high prices it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our local Agriculture and Natural Resource agents to provide Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
Significant percentage of producers implementing IPM practices
Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals
Intermediate Outcomes:
Adopt usage of new technology for crop production
Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production
Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations
Implementation of on-farm trials
Initial Outcomes:
Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
Increase understanding of production regulations
Understanding BioTech traits
Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials
Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production
Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production
Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products
Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Understanding more about agricultural related topics

Indicator: Deeper understanding about various agriculture practices

Method: Survey

Timeline: Winter 2017


Intermediate Outcome: Adopt use of practices learned, use of UK's services, implement on-farm trials

Indicator: Behavior change

Method: Demonstration

Timeline: Spring 2018


Long-term Outcome: Maximize profits while minimizing environmental impact, increased positive opinion of GMOs

Indicator: Producer Testimonials, citizens indicate positive outlook on farming practices

Method: survey throughout county

Timeline: Spring 2018

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farm Managers and/or Owners

Project or Activity: Hay Day

Content or Curriculum: KDA hay testing day, pasture renovations, weed control

Inputs: Extension Agent, Extension Specialists, Farmers, Land Owners, KDA

Date: July 26 2017



Audience: Farm Workers, Farm Managers, Ag Retailers, Certified Crop Advisors, Agronomists, Master Gardeners, Industry Representatives

Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator Training

Content or Curriculum: Video, Hands-On Demonstrations, Teaching

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Ag Businesses

Date: Feb 2018 2016, July 2017


Audience: Henderson County People

Project or Activity: Media

Content or Curriculum: AgLife tv show, weekly radio show, weekly newspaper column, social media, newsletters

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Ag Businesses

Date: Weekly


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Certified Preconditioned for Health (CPH-45)

Content of Curriculum: Information, CPH45 Sale

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association, Kentucky Beef Network and the Kentucky Dept. of Ag

Date: August, December, February, April


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Cow College

Content or Curriculum: Program materials, Extension publications

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists

Date: Summer 2018



Audience: Grain producers

Project or Activity: Henderson Grain Day

Content or Curriculum: grain hauling decision tool, pesticide certification, farm data collection

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Ag businesses

Date: January 2018


Audience: Farmers using chemicals

Project or Activity: Chemical Jug Rinse and Return Day

Content or Curriculum: water quality handout

Inputs: Extension Agent, KDA, Ag businesses

Date: September 2017



Audience: farmers with soil fertility needs

Project or Activity: fertility conference

Content or Curriculum: soil test procedures, starter fertilizers 

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Ag businesses 

Date: November 2017



Audience: Grain farmers 

Project or Activity: Grain storage workshop

Content or Curriculum: Grain storage tool, new research in storage, harvest loss tool

Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists

Date: August 10, 2017



Success Stories

Hemp Production in Henderson County

Author: Camille Lambert

Major Program: Grain Crops

Hemp is undoubtedly the hot topic right now. The Henderson County Extension Service gets weekly questions about the production and practices related to hemp. Lots of talk started when the 2014 Farm Bill was introduced allowing industrial hemp production to take place for research and demonstration purposes. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture has been the workhorse getting the program up and running in our state, and in 2018 the updated farm bill allowed for commercial production without the

Full Story
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