Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop and Livestock Management and Marketing
Agriculture Advancement and Sustainability
Smith, Fries, Hagler
Beef
Forages
Grain Crops
Farm Management
Nelson County is a much diversified agriculture county. The 2012 Census of agriculture indicates Nelson County ranks 7th in all hay, 28th in tobacco, 17th in wheat, 24th in soybeans, 26th in corn, 7th in swine, 16th in dairy, 15th in beef and 9th in all cattle and calves. The county ranks 26th in overall cash receipts for agriculture products. The total value of Agriculture products sold was just under $64.5 million. Of that total $34.3 million came from crops while $30.1 million came from livestock. These are historical numbers in that this is the first time in at least 30 years that we received more for crops than livestock.
Surveys of 4 farm groups and ag representatives of the County Extension Council indicate that a lack of local markets both for crops and livestock put Nelson County farmers at a competitive disadvantage. That along with an aging farm owner population makes agriculture production quite uncertain. The nationwide economic downturn has actually been good for agriculture in Nelson County. Land prices dropped initially back to agriculture sustainable prices instead of development prices. As the economy rebounds development will again put pressure on land prices. These pressures along with across the board lower commodity prices will take it's toll on sustainability in our county.
Farmers to attain a level of net income sustainability that provides a comfortable standard of living for their families, through a more efficient level of production management and marketing.
Farm cooperatives will adopt improved production management and marketing techniques in the areas of crops and livestock so that production is increased economically, or that costs are reduced without sacrificing production.
4-H Youth will use knowledge obtained from judging and skillathon events to purchase, raise, groom, and exhibit their animals.
4-H Volunteers will apply the knowledge they acquire through the 4-H Livestock Volunteer Certification Process and continuing education to educate and mentor youth 4-Hers involved in Livestock projects.
High school youth will tour various agriculture production operations and participate in interactive learning stations that focus on production, marketing and sustainability, including but not limited to the country ham project.
Farmers will gain knowledge in recommended practices for production and marketing and will aspire to implement the in their farming operation to improve profitability.
4-H & High School Youth will:
- Gain and understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.
- Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.
- Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.
- Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.
- Increase their understanding of the development of living things.
Initial Outcome: Increased profitability, practices implemented and knowledge gained in crop and livestock operations.
Indicator: The number of individuals who increase knowledge and awareness in the topic presented and aspire to implement the practice changes in their operation. The number of practices implemented, and amount of increased profitability will also be measured.
Method: Post session evaluations, Personal contact and observation, Follow-up surveys.
Timeline: Post session evaluating, six months for the follow-up and continuous for observation and personal contact.
Initial Outcome: 4-H & High School Youth will:
- Gain and understanding of agriculture practices and procedures for different commodities.
- Gain knowledge in husbandry practices.
- Gain self-esteem in dealing with farm animals.
- Learn how to select livestock and horses through the judging programs.
Indicator: The number of youth completing a livestock project or participating in 4-H livestock events.
Method:. Observation during Livestock events
Timeline: During Fair and Show Season
Intermediate Outcome:Youth will understand and be able to demonstrate the complete Market to Market process of purchasing, curing and marketing a country ham.
Indicator:Presentation of a county and/or state fair speech or demonstration.
Method: Certified livestock volunteer lead workshops and classes.
Timeline:7 months after initial curing process.
4-H common Measure for evaluation will be phased in during the 2019/20 program years
Audience: Tobacco Producers
Project or Activity: Tobacco GAP Training
Content or Curriculum: Supplied by Tobacco GAP Connections
Inputs: Meeting Announcement Letters and Agent Time
Date: February 2019
Audience: Nelson County Producers
Project or Activity: County agriculture Investment Fund educational activities
Content or Curriculum: BQA, Cattle Handling Certification and various other educational meetings as needed.
Inputs: Agent Time, Meeting announcement letters
Date: October, December, January
Audience: Youth Livestock participants
Project or Activity: Livestock and small animal Shows
Content or Curriculum: KDA State Guidelines
Inputs: Agent Time and Fairgrounds
Date: as scheduled
Audience: Master Cattleman Graduates
Project or Activity: Applied Master Cattleman Class
Content or Curriculum: Beef IRM Applied MC Curriculum
Inputs: Agent time, transportation, meeting room, etc.
Dates: 2019-20
Audience: Beef Cattle Association
Project or Activity: Educational Component of regular meetings
Content of Curriculum: Specialist delivered based on Needs of the time
Inputs: Hosting, organizing, facilitating, etc.
Date: ongoing
Audience: 4-H Volunteers
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Certification program
Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Livestock Curriculum and Client Protection Policies
Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding
Date: As needed
Audience: 4-H Ham Club Participants
Project or Activity: 4-H Market to Market Ham Club
Content or Curriculum:: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum and Enrichment
Inputs: Agent and Volunteer Time and Funding
Date: Fall to Summer
Author: Robert Smith
Major Program: Grain Crops
During this cropping year, a great deal of time was dedicated to educating clients on proper weed management strategies and pesticide safety. It was in 2018 that two very nasty weeds began to emerge for the first time in our county that are resistant to the traditional cropping herbicide tools. Palmer Amaranth and Waterhemp have been wreaking havoc in the midwest for a few years and have just now begun to be a problem for our farmers. Many hours were spent both individually and
Author: Robert Smith
Major Program: Forages
During the winter of 2020 Marion, Nelson, and Washington counties offered a joint program called Master Haymakers. This series is designed to increase the quality and efficiency of the haymaking process. Specialists from the University of Kentucky presented information on Hayleage, Haymaking Equipment, Summer and Winter Forages, hay storage, quality, and handling. Around 40 participants were engaged in the learning of new techniques, varieties, and management. At least tw
Author: Robert Smith
Major Program: Beef
Beef production continues to grow in our county and our educational outreach grows alongside. The 2017 Ag Census indicated that our numbers of beef cattle remain around 45,000, which is equal to our human population. In 2019-20 we continued some programs intended to help improve forages on the farm. I felt that knowing the forage quality on the farm is important enough that I began an on-farm sample effort. This involves me going to the farm, pulling the samples for the f
