Extension
It Starts With Us
Beef & Forages
Agriculture Profitability and Marketing
Heather Graham
Beef
Forages
Beef cattle and forages are the main points of agriculture in Wolfe County. According to CEDIK, there are 42,454 acres used for farm operations in the County. 88% of total animal sales are cattle and calves.
In order to maintain these numbers (and to try and increase) farmers must improve not only their cattle herds, but also their forages (hay and pasture). (Reviewed 06/2019; 04/2017, HG, JM)
Producers will see an increase in profitability by improving their production.
(Reviewed 06/2019; 04/2017, HG, JM)
Producers will implement changes to improve their livestock and forage operations.
(Reviewed 06/2019; 04/2017, HG, JM)
Producers will gain a better understanding of what practices can be improved to benefit their herd, forages, income, and the environment.
(Reviewed 06/2019; 04/2017, HG, JM)
Initial Outcome: Producers will have knowledge and skills needed to evaluate their operations for changes
Indicator: Number of producers reporting planned changes
Method: Survey
Timeline: December 2016 (Completed)
Intermediate Outcome: Producers will put into use those practices which have been proven through research
Indicator: Comparing previous hay and soil test
Method: Comparative studies and Observation
Timeline: September 2017
Producers are begin to see through annual testing that their soils don't necessarily need the amount of fertilizer they would have put on without testing. Their fertilizer bills and fuel bills are being impacted by this. Producers are seeing the importance of testing their forage, especially given the wet weather we've had over the last 2 years.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline: 2017-2018
(Reviewed 06/2019; 04/2017, HG, JM)
Audience: Beef cattle and forage producers
Date: 2016-2019
Project or Activity:
- Hay testing & hay contest
- Soil testing
- Rotational grazing programs
- Pasture to Plate program
- BQA training
- Mountain Cattlemen meetings
(Reviewed 06/2019; 04/2017, HG, JM)
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Healthy and Safety for Ag Producers/Workers
For two years, the Wolfe Co ANR Agent has partnered with Wolfe Co Farm Bureau to offer a Farm/Home Safety Field Day. This year, in an effort to reach more people and use resources wisely, Wolfe Co and Breathitt Co ANR Agents and Farm Bureaus collaborated for a joint Safety Program. The Field Day was held at the Robinson Center in Jackson, KY. Topics for the evening included: chainsaw safety, the importance of staying hydrated, rollover tractor safety, PTO safety, and how to safely load and haul
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Beef
Beef cattle operations are the economic backbone of agriculture in central Eastern Kentucky. In light of recent market changes, excessive wet weather conditions, and narrowing income margins, Breathitt, Elliott, Magoffin, Morgan and Wolfe ANR agents hosted the Master Cattlemen Program. The goal of the program is to increase the overall profitability of beef producers through intensive classroom training. Fifty farmers - including twenty-two females and five new farmers - completed 10 thre
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Forages
According to Penn State Extension, there are 6 major factors that affect forage quality: maturity; crop species; harvest and storage; environment; soil fertility; and variety. "Soil fertility affects forage yield much more than it does quality. While it is possible to produce high quality forage on poor, unproductive soils, it is generally very difficult to produce high yields of high quality forage with an unproductive soil resource. Proper soil phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels help
Author: Heather Graham
Major Program: Beef
In the spring of 2019, a Wolfe Co. High School student approached the ANR agent and indicated that he was interested in learning more about farming and raising cattle. The agent put him in contact with a local beef producer so that he could get some hands-on experience. The student would help on the farm with various tasks, including square baling hay and working cattle. He even has learned the proper way to give shots and how to put in ear tags. His interest in cattle grew and he began talking
