Improved Efficiencies in Livestock, Tobacco, Forages and Grain ProductionPlan of Work

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Bath County CES

Title:
Improved Efficiencies in Livestock, Tobacco, Forages and Grain Production
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Amburgey
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Grain Crops
Situation:

The Bath County Agricultural Development Council and other Agricultural Commodity Groups have identified that the dramatic increases in energy and input prices have placed a heavy burden on producers and agribusinesses. These higher inputs continue to lower the farm family’s annual net income.

Long-Term Outcomes:

A productive, profitable, competitive, and sustainable agriculture production and market system will be viable in Bath County

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers will begin to employ efficiency practices in all aspects of their farming operations. Farmers will assess new income generating practices for their farms and proceed with those that reflect the potential for profitability.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers will acquire new knowledge and skills from Extension sponsored programs. Management of farms will improve in the areas of production efficiencies, energy conservation, marketing, and adding value to their commodities.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:Farmers acquire new knowledge

Indicator:participation in production meetings

Method:direct contact, evaluations

Timeline:winter months

Intermediate Outcome:Producers begin to adopt new practices or technologies

Indicator:improved practices on the farm

Method:farm visits and face to face interaction

Timeline:year round


Long-term Outcome:farmers become more economically stabil

Indicator:increase in farm investment, stabilization of farm numbers

Method:ag statistics and surveys

Timeline:year round

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farm Families

Project or Activity: County Agricultural Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Forage, Grain and Livestock Production

Inputs: Producer, Volunteers, Farm Organizations, Commodity Groups and UK Specialists

Date: August, September


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Health, Nutrition, Handling Facilities, Legislation, Environmental, Financial

Inputs: UK Specialists and Ag Business

Date: August, October, January, April, June


Audience: Tobacco, Grain and Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Agricultural Commodity Night

Content or Curriculum: Production Update

Inputs: UK and USDA, MSU, Private Industry

Date: January



Success Stories

Dealing with weather related forage issues

Author: Robert Amburgey

Major Program: Forages

The winter and spring of 2019 did a tremendous amount of damage to our hay and pasture fields, particularly where cattle were fed and equipment was required to move across rain soaked fields.  It is usually hard to get farmers to agree on a lot of things, however, there was 100% agreement among cattle producers in Bath County that these high traffic, and heavy feeding areas were in need of a lot of work.To try to address this issue, on March 19th the extension office hosted a video training

Full Story

covid 19 educational efforts

Author: Robert Amburgey

Major Program: Farm Management

Due to the Covid 19 epidemic, extension programming required new methods to address the needs of our communities.  Extension worked closely with administration, county leadership, and UK specialists to provide the necessary training and resources needed.  Produce best management practices, CAIP education, BQCA, pesticide applicator, soil testing, diagnostics and farm visits were maintained by the use of electronic resources as well as creative personal interaction.  Many programs

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