Extension
It Starts With Us
Forage Systems
Promoting Agricultural Sustainability
Kevin Lyons
Forages
Beef
Dairy
Sustainable Agriculture
Situation: One of the two topics the Monroe County Agriculture Advisory Council suggested for more work and producer education, is the continuing decline in pasture production; both in yield and quality. As an integral part of any forage system for livestock; healthy pastures are required for maximum profitability. Farm income and net profit is declining do to the loss of tobacco income and the reduction in livestock prices. As livestock prices continue to fall, producers must find ways to remain profitable. With Monroe County being fifth in the state in number of beef cows and seventh in the state in number of dairy cows, livestock income is a major component of farm financial stability. This need to become better producers denotes the need for additional education in all phases of livestock production; particularly in forage systems; since feed cost is the primary input in livestock production.
Long-term Outcomes:
? Increase in the number of livestock producers reporting they are maintaining or improving profitability
? Improved pasture stands due to better management
? Improved pastures as measured by using visual pasture condition scoring
? Increased pounds of beef produced per acre or milk increases as reported by Monroe County livestock producers
? Improvement in conception rates as reported by producers, local veterinaries, and AI technicians
Intermediate Outcomes:
? Develop grazing plans
? Decrease in amount and density of weeds in pastures
? Improved soil test nutrient levels
? Improved pH in pasture soil test levels
? Increase in the number of livestock per acre
? Increase in the number of dollars produced per acre
Initial Outcome:
? Increase in the number of producers using more intensive rotational grazing systems
? Increase in the number of producers using soil tests in their pastures
? Increase in the number of producers using a comprehensive weed control program
? Increase in active livestock producers attending Cattlemen’s meetings
? Awareness of UK grazing management research
Evaluation:
Outcome: Increased sustainability of livestock operations
Indicator: Increase in production on Monroe County pastures
Method: Producer surveys
Timeline: 2017-2018
Evaluation:
Outcome: Increased livestock profitability
Indicator: Increase in the number of pounds of livestock/milk sold
Method: Producer reports
Timeline: 2017-2020
Evaluation: Improved pasture condition scores
Outcome: Number of pasture walks, producer opinions, and visual appearance
Indicator: Producer reports and observations
Method: Producer surveys, Pasture scoring by UK Extension
Timeline: 2017-2019
Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):
Audience: Livestock producers
Project or Activity: Pasture improvement topics at Cattlemen’s Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Grazing School topics
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, and successful producers
Date: Fall 2017-2020
Audience: Livestock producers
Project or Activity: Pasture walks
Content or Curriculum: Visual identification of pasture problems
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, and NRCS Grazing Specialist
Date: Summer 2016 and Summer 2017
Audience: General Agriculture
Project or Activity: Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Current pasture improvement topics
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, and successful producers
Date: Summers 2016, 2017, and 2018
Audience: Livestock producers and FFA students
Project or Activity: Forage Calendar
Content or Curriculum: Various UK resources
Inputs: Ken Johnson
Date: Fall – Winter 2016-2017
Audience: Livestock producers, students, and Ag. advisors
Project or Activity: Develop e-mail list for current activities and updates
Content or Curriculum: Various UK and other resources
Inputs: Ken Johnson and Ag advisors
Date: Winter 2017-2018
Author: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Forages
Barren, Metcalfe and Monroe Counties are nestled in the rolling hills of the eastern Mammoth Cave Area in south-central Kentucky. In these counties, beef cattle are a major agriculture commodity. These three counties account for over 77,500 brood cows (USDA-NASS, 2015) and over $48 million dollars of cash sales. In the fall of 2017, Agriculture Extension Agents in these counties identified a need to redirect producer’s attention back to the basics of forage production. &n
Author: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Forages
The second annual Metcalfe County Hay and Straw Auction was held on Saturday, January 27th 2018 at the Metcalfe County Fairgrounds. This year Barren, Metcalfe, and Monroe Counties partnered to make the sale a Tri-County event. This was an opportunity to keep money in the local economy by making excess hay available to those needing feed for the remainder of the winter. The Metcalfe County fair board was also able to raise operating money from the sale commission. Twenty-seven lots of
