Extension
It Starts With Us
Improved Efficiencies in Livestock, Tobacco, Forages and Grain Production
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Rob Amburgey
Beef
Forages
Grain Crops
Forages
The Bath County Agricultural Development Council and other Agricultural Commodity Groups have identified that the dramatic increases in energy and input prices have placed a heavy burden on producers and agribusinesses. These higher inputs continue to lower the farm family’s annual net income.
A productive, profitable, competitive, and sustainable agriculture production and market system will be viable in Bath County.
Producers will begin to employ efficiency practices in all aspects of their farming operations. Farmers will assess new income generating practices for their farms and proceed with those that reflect the potential for profitability.
Farmers will acquire new knowledge and skills from Extension sponsored programs. Management of farms will improve in the areas of production efficiencies, energy conservation, marketing, and adding value to their commodities.
Initial Outcome: Producer adopt a practice change that improves efficiency and/or increases farm income
Indicator:Improved farm net income
Method:producer meetings and interviews. One on one consultation
Timeline:throughout the year
Intermediate Outcome: Increase production & management of crops and livestock
Indicator: Yield data, extended grazing vs. feeding hay , livestock numbers and animal condition
Method: Producer meetings, demonstrations, & mass media
Timeline: Throughout year
Long-term Outcome: Stability of net farm income.
Indicator:Net farm income
Method: Survey, interview, NASS data, and an assessment of the total farm income.
Timeline: Fall, 2016; assess the production year to see where efficiencies have been utilized; conduct educational program throughout the winter months on new enterprise opportunities and marketing strategies
Audience: Farm Families
Project or Activity: County Agricultural Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Forage, Grain and Livestock Production
Inputs: Producer, Volunteers, Farm Organizations, Commodity Groups and UK Specialists
Date: August
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Health, Nutrition, Handling Facilities, Legislation, Environmental, Financial
Inputs: UK Specialists and Ag Business
Date: August, October, January, April, June
Audience: Tobacco, Grain and Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Agricultural Commodity Night
Content or Curriculum: Production Update
Inputs: UK and USDA, MSU, Private Industry
Date: January
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Soils
The Bath County Extension service and the Bath County Natural Resources Conservation Service conducted a joint field day on September 13th. The field day focused on 3 main topics - profitable forages, small fruit production in high tunnels and soil health. Even though various topics were presented, all of the speakers emphasized the importance of soil and nutrient management in their presentations. Soils and nutrient management are the basis of all of our crop production
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Grain Crops
Due to the above average rainfall eastern Kentucky experienced in 2018, soybean farmers have experienced an unprecedented amount of soybean pod and seed diseases. The increase in these diseases have not only lowered expected yields in these fields, but has also accounted for a significant price reduction at the elevator. The loss in revenue from the 2018 weather pattern has many producers asking what they might expect from those same fields in 2019 as it relates to disease pressure.
