Extension
It Starts With Us
Beef Cattle Production
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
Michelle Simon
Beef
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 Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable.
Improved public animal handling image
Improved animal welfare
Improved marketing opportunities
Utilize basic principles of dystocia and manage to avoid it
Use proper cattle handling and movement techniques
Construct a cattle handling facility
Utilize proper euthanasia techniques
Use proper transportation practices
Reduce the use of electronic prods, pipes, and sticks for moving animals
Calculate and properly time for castration and dehorning to minimize animal stress
Utilize body condition scoring to manage nutrition of animals
Proper vaccination techniques to improve quality of beef and control of preventable disease
Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being.
Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.
Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: increase in the profitability of beef operations
Method: year-end survey of cattle association members
Timeline: January 2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: increase use of recommended beef production practices
Method: year-end survey of cattle association members
Timeline: January 2020
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: increase knowledge of recommended beef production practices
Method: end of class surveys
Timeline: throughout the year
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: increased knowledge of beef cattle management techniques to improve profitability
Method: Master Cattleman Series
Timeline: October through December 2020
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Increased knowledge in health management techniques including vaccinations
Method: Beef Quality and Care Assurance Trainings
Timeline: May 2020 May 2021
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: Beef Integrated Research & Cattle Welfare Programming
Content or Curriculum: video, live presentations, & online courses
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material
Date: September 2020
Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA)
Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality Assurance (BQCA) videotape, handout publication.
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material
Date: May 2019
Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: . Beef Cattle Reproductive and Nutritional Improvement Program
Content or Curriculum: Program developed by Agent and Specialists
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material
Date: September 2020
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Beef
Northern Kentucky is well known for its unique topography and beef cattle production that fits the land so well. According to the 2017 USDA Agriculture Census data, there are approximately 25,250 head of cattle in the Northern Kentucky counties. These numbers have held steady and even increased despite the rapid growth of suburban and commercial areas. This consistency and growth in beef cattle production is a direct result of producer participation in Cooperative Extension programming including
Author: Michelle Simon
Major Program: Beef
Boone County ANR Agent collaborated with several industry partners including Select Sires Mid-America, Carrollton Veterinary Service, and Richwood Farms to teach producers innovative techniques and protocols to more intensively manage their cattle herds with the goal of increasing efficiency and productivity. Fourteen producers became certified to artificially inseminate cattle by Select Sires Mid-America trainers after completing a three day course organized by the Boone County ANR Agent that i
