Menifee County CES

Title:

Animal Science

MAP:

Improving Agriculture in Menifee County

Agents Involved:

McCarty

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

4-H Volunteer Programming

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Forages

Situation:

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:

•Clientele will begin reporting more sustainable, profitable operations because of the educational opportunities made available by the Menifee County Cooperative Extension Service.

•Clientele will begin utilizing more resources made available by the university in order to maximize sustainability and profitability on the farm.

•Continually increase the number of youth participating in livestock programs, in addition to other Extension programs.

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Clientele will adopt short, mid and long-term sustainability strategies to enhance profitability on his/her operation.

•Improve sustainability and profitability skills through continued educational opportunities.

•Demonstrate one or two learned practices on his/her operation.

•Youth will understand the importance of the agricultural industry and encourage other youth to seek knowledge pertaining to agriculture.

Initial Outcomes:

•Youth and Adults will increase knowledge and understanding of agricultural production sustainability and profitability.

•Producers will become more aware of marketing options.

•Youth will show increased knowledge and skills related to agriculture, particularly livestock and forages.

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Clientele will continue to utilize Extension resources/research-based information to remain sustainable and profitable on the farm to ensure a stable livestock industry for Menifee County, and youth will continually show interest in livestock.

Indicator: Producers will report operation improvements that have resulted in more sustainable, profitable systems and an increased number of youth will participate in livestock programs. There will also be an increase in ag revenue.

Method: Follow-up visits, surveys, interviews, personal observation.

Timeline: 2-4 years

Intermediate Outcome: Clientele will adopt sustainability strategies to enhance profitability and youth will understand the importance of the agricultural industry.

Indicator: Producers will adopt and demonstrate new practice implemented on the farm and youth will encourage other youth to seek livestock knowledge.

Method: Follow-up visits, personal observation, surveys, etc.

Timeline: 1-2 years

Initial Outcome: Clientele will have an increased understanding of agricultural sustainability and profitability tools/resources and youth will gain knowledge of livestock and forages.

Indicator: Producers/4-Her will be more aware of sustainability options for his/her operation, and youth will practice skills learned as a result of the educational programming.

Method: Pre and post-surveys will be used to gauge the success and interest of programming.

Timeline: 6-12 months

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:, Families, 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H livestock educational meetings.

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Veterinarians

•Other Livestock Producers

Monthly meetings for 6 hours of eduction

Audience: Livestock Producers, Farmers, Families, 4-H Youth - Ag Safety Day

Project or Activity: Field Day , Ag Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Other Livestock Producers

Date: Summer

Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Veterinarians

•Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association

Date: Fall and Spring

Audience: Livestock Producers, Farmers, Families, 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Forage Programs/ Forage Studies

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Veterinarians

•Other Livestock Producers

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Master Programs

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Veterinarians

Date: October

Audience: 4-H Youth, 4-H Leaders

Project or Activity: 4-H Hams

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist Programs, UK Publications and Curriculum

Inputs:

•Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists, and volunteers

•Kentucky CES Publications

•Local, State, and Federal Resources

•Certified Livestock Leader

Date: Quarterly

Success Stories