Improve Livestock Production and Management SkillsPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Rockcastle County CES

Title:
Improve Livestock Production and Management Skills
MAP:
Promote Livestock Production and Management
Agents Involved:
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Dairy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Ag Water Quality Program
Situation:

Teachable moments for new and improved livestock production practices are continually developing. Nearly 350 Beef Farm Operators need exposure to better management practices in Herd Health, Nutrition and Genetics as well as assistance placing practices in place to improve their production and marketing. The Cattlemen's Association, Agriculture Development Council and Livestock groups assist in program identification and implementation.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Livestock producers optimize their management skills through current technology allowing for increased income and economic stability.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Livestock producers will seek and implement new management skills such as Cattle Handling facilities, Herd Health, Nutrition, Breeding Management, Back grounding and Marketing.

Initial Outcomes:

Livestock producers will gain knowledge in current technology and implement practices as it relates to improved management and economic stability. Including improved handling facilities allowing for appropriate herd health procedures for cows, calves and yearlings. Beef Quality Assurance as related to animal health procedures. Breeding management of the bull as well as new breeding tools for synchronization and timed AI. Nutrition for cows and yearlings, new de-worming procedures for herd health. Two demonstration herds participate in (IRM) Integrated Resource Management project.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Beef Producers utilize Winter Producer Meetings, Special Multi-County classes, CAIP Investment Programs, Extension farm visits to improve working facilities, implement new de-worming procedures for herd health, and adoption/management results from IRM project.

Indicator: Number participating, Investments made.

Method: Meetings, Farm visits, demonstrations.

Timeline: Year round


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Livestock producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance training along with CAIP Cattle Handling Facility tour. Calving season demonstration utilizing synchronization with CIDRs.

Content or Curriculum: Winter Producer Meetings on Herd Health, Calving Seasons, Reproductive Management, Economic update, Mineral formulation and Marketing.

Inputs: Training meetings, Tour, Demonstrations.

Date: January-October




Success Stories

Fall Field Day

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Farm Management

On October 10, 2019 the Rockcastle County cooperative extension agriculture program collaborated with Rockcastle county conservation district and the USDA Soil conservation service for a fall field day at Barry Hursts farm.  The program included a demonstration of a drone to survey plant health in pasture and hay fields, and use of video on the drone to survey all aspects of the farm.  This drone was purchased by the Wilderness Trail Agriculture agents association through a mini grant

Full Story

Spring Beef Meetings

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Farm Management

Spring Beef Programming has become a staple in the Rockcastle County agriculture programming over many years.  This year’s series was focused on whole farm management with the goals of having farmers become more profitable and sustainable just by being more management intensive. The series of classes offered consisted of grazing management/farm planning, weed management of hay and pasture, bull buying for your herd, forest management on the beef farm, and hay and pasture insurance opt

Full Story

Basic Equine Series

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Equine

In cooperation with University of Kentucky Equine Specialist, Dr. Bob Coleman, a basic equine care series was recored and releases on social media outlets.  Audio and video was recorded on topics of care of tack, basic grooming and shoeing, saddling your horse and what does my horse weigh.  The basic care audio was recorded with Dr. Coleman and the video was then recorded to demonstrate what Dr. Coleman was referring to.  This was then edited using software and published to social

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County