Crop Production
Crop Production
Tad Campbell
Forages
Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
Sustainable Agriculture
With the agriculture diversity in Mason County coupled with a desired heritage tobacco production in the county, focusing on crop sustainability and enhancements to continue to generate farm income will offset any one major income producing sector. Forages for pasture/hay and cash hay become more prevalent with the economics of other commodities. Grain and tobacco production continue to generate farm income, but at a lesser scale than years past. Building a strong forage management mentality will work hand in hand with the large livestock production sector in the county. Producers in the community look for efficient productive means for forage development and sustainability as well as other possible alternative such as Hemp and bio-mass for forms of education pilots and income generating avenues.
Producers will be able to utilize technology to become more efficient with production expenses to lower volume input costs while maintaining environmentally sound conservation practices.
Participants will be able to manage forages to allow for increased carrying capacities, higher yields, and higher quality for operational use or cash sales.
Increase market and production opportunities for new crops such as Hemp and other non-traditional crops to provide added income to Mason County farm operations.
Producers will be able to adapt technology such as GPS monitoring for chemical and fertilizer applications to become more efficient.
Producers will do more soil tests for farms to add the proper amount of fertilization needed for a specific crop.
Tobacco producers will utilize proper varieties to help reduce disease pressure during production.
Rotational grazing will be adapted to provide adequate rest times for each field.
Producers will follow pesticide safety protocols gained during certification and from the label instructions to reduce risk of exposure.
Producers will gain knowledge of crop varieties to enhance production efficiencies.
Producers will gain knowledge of storage capabilities that can add value to crops.
Producers will gain knowledge on dividing pasture fields for rotational grazing to improve forage quantity and quality.
Producers will gain knowledge on pesticide safety and why it is important to all on the operation.
Producers will learn about using better varieties to improve forage quality and yield.
Initial Outcome: Producers will gain knowledge of crop varieties to enhance production efficiencies.
Indicator: Word of mouth from producers
Method: Post evaluations
Timeline: immediately after program
Intermediate Outcome: Producers will follow pesticide safety protocols gained during certification and from the label instructions to reduce risk of exposure.
Indicator: Observe producers using correct protocols
Method: Physically observe producers and/or follow up evaluations
Timeline: 3-6 months after program
Long-term Outcome: Producers will do more soil tests for farms to add the proper amount of fertilization needed for a specific crop.
Indicator: Rise in amount of soil tests
Method: Observe amount of soil tests
Timeline: weekly, monthly, yearly
Audience: farmers
Project or Activity: Corn silage variety test plot
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: ANR Agent, local farm
Date: every Spring/Fall
Audience: farmers
Project or Activity: Agronomy Day
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists
Date: every February
Audience: tobacco farmers
Project or Activity: Tobacco production/GAP
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists
Date: early spring
Audience: farmers
Project or Activity: Master Grazer/ Grazing Program
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists
Date: early spring
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Continuing efforts to educate our youth about the importance of agriculture and the origin of food, the Mason County Extension Service partnered with the Mason County Farm Bureau, Fleming Mason RECC, and a local producer to host a Youth Farm Day. The sixth grade students from Mason County Schools, St. Patrick Schools, and Robertson County Schools attended a one day event to learn about livestock production, crop production, horticulture, bees, tractor rollover safety, grain bin safety, and elect
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Years ago tobacco was the major crop for Mason County farmers. According to the Census of Agriculture from 2012 to 2017 the total acreage of tobacco grown in Mason County has decreased by 1300 acres and continues to decline. Farmers have been desperately looking for a new crop to help increase their income and have turned to growing industrial hemp. The Buffalo Trace Agriculture and Horticulture agents partnered together to offer a series of field days and workshops to further grower education.&
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
This year Chad and Shawna Lippert owners of "Lippert's Greenhouse" decided to expand their operation to include growing mums. The Lippert's worked with the Mason County Extension office Horticulture agent Macy Fawns to improve their greenhouse plants but wanted more so they asked for assistance growing mums. Shawna said, "When the door opened with this opportunity, we chose to run through it with great anticipation in all the processes to increase our production season and
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Grain Crops
Small grain production is mainly focused on cover crops in our area with a limited number of acres harvested for grain and straw. This trend is increasing due to the demand for cover crop seed. In 2020, we saw a historical freeze late in the season that damaged the small grain crops, severely hurting the yield potential resulting in the need for management plans to be altered for the remaining crop production. Two separate freeze events occurred on April 15-16 wi