Livestock ProductionPlan of Work

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McLean County CES

Title:
Livestock Production
MAP:
Maximizing Farm Profitability in McLean County
Agents Involved:
David Fourqurean
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Poultry
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Swine
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Forages
Situation:

The livestock industry remains an integral part of the McLean County's agriculture economic impact. Producers continue to diversify into many aspects of the livestock industry to maintain a diverse income.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Maximize profits for livestock producers.


Minimize environmental impact on air, soil and the environment.


Improve sustainability of animal livestock production systems.


Increase number of farmers more knowledgeable about/comfortable with livestock marketing and marketing trends.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Implement one or more new practices learned through Extension programming.


Complete and implement a Ag Water Quality plan if farm is over 10 acres.


Implement or more BMP's for livestock production.


Identify and cut one or more unnecessary input costs.


Increase number of farmers utilizing UK Extension enterprise budgets.


Increase awareness of the program to help producers update Nutrient management plans.

Initial Outcomes:

Awareness of current land grant research concerning livestock production.


Identify BMP's for livestock production.


Recognize opportunities for diversification with livestock or new opportunities in livestock production.


Demonstrate proper use of antibiotics in livestock production systems.


Awareness of general public's concerns with livestock production.


Awareness of UK Extension enterprise budgets/marketing tools.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmers will increase their knowledge of strategies/issues in livestock production.

Indicator: Number of farmers reporting an increase in knowledge of strategies/issues involved in livestock production and awareness of Nutrient Management Plans.

Method: farm visit observations and self reporting

Timeline: 2019-2020


Intermediate Outcome: Farmers will implement one or more new practices learned at Extension programming.

Indicator: Farmers will report implementing one or more new practices.

Method: Written Evaluation, Observation, Self-Reporting

Timeline: 1-2 years


Long-term Outcome: Farmers will maximize profitability in livestock production systems.

Indicator: Farmers will report an increase in profits and a decrease in inputs.

Method: Written Evaluation, Self-Reporting, Observation

Timeline: 2 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Livestock Field Days/Demonstrations

Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Nutrition, Health & General Maintenance, Facilities & Equipment, Pasture & Forage Care/Production

Inputs: Agents, Specialist, On-Farm Trials, Extension Pubs, Veterinarians,

Date: Yearly - Summer/Winter


Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Educational Programming

Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Nutrition, Health & General Maintenance, Facilities & Equipment, Pasture & Forage Care/Production, Marketing, New Opportunities/Diversification, Poultry management webinars

Inputs: Agents, Specialist, Extension Pubs & Research, Commodity Associations

Date: Yearly - Winter


Audience: 4-H/FFA/Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock Shows, Clinics & In-School Programming

Content or Curriculum: Small Scale Production, Animal Health, Responsible Ownership, Judging/Showing

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Extension Pubs, Local & Experienced Farmers, KDA, Livestock Club Leaders

Date: Yearly - During Livestock Shows & During School Semesters


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance

Content or Curriculum: BQA Curriculum

Inputs: ANR Agents

Date: Year round


Audience: Poultry Producers

Project or activity: Poultry Webinars

Content or Curriculum: UGA  materials

Input: ANR Agent and specialist

Fall 19 and spring of 2020



Success Stories

Midwest Beef Summit

Author: John Fourqurean

Major Program: Beef

The cost of production, in all aspects of agriculture, continues to increase while prices remain stable or decrease.  This scenario requires producers to analyze each decision as it relates to margin management.  For cow/calf operations, the cost of replacement breeding stock often takes 9 years before a positive return on investment occurs.  The need to cull typically coincides with the conclusion of this period, leaving salvage value as the only profit.  Understanding genet

Full Story

Management Details Improve Cow Calf Profitability

Author: John Fourqurean

Major Program: Beef

Paying attention to details helps to improve the profitability of any business. Dr. Kenneth Burdine, Dr. Greg Halich, and Jonathan Shepherd from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment, Agricultural Economics Department developed a program titled Cow Calf Profitability. They worked with Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources across the state to deliver the program in five locations across the commonwealth. Program topics focused primarily on managem

Full Story

McLean County Poultry Expo

Author: John Fourqurean

Major Program: Poultry

In the fall of 2019 this ANR Agent and a producer were discussing the fact that no poultry production educational sessions were offered by anyone here in Kentucky. This ANR Agent worked to plan the McLean County Poultry Expo in February 2020. The newly renovated Extension Facilities at Myer Creek Park would serve as the meeting location along with a indoor and outdoor trade show.  The McLean County Extension Service, the McLean County ANR Agent, field staff from Tyson and Perdue all partner

Full Story
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