Monroe County CES

Title:

Livestock

MAP:

Promoting Agricultural Sustainability

Agents Involved:

Kevin Lyons

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Dairy

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Sustainable Agriculture

Situation:

Situation: With livestock numbers being the lowest since 1952 and beef and milk prices falling; producers must become better managers to continue to survive. Becoming a low cost feed producer, improving animal health, and better marketing plans will be necessary to be sustainable in the future.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes:
? By utilizing better marketing plans, producing more pounds of beef/milk, and reducing input cost; farmers will become more profitable.
? Retaining heifers will help producers increase their herd size.
? Developing a renewable forage system will help decrease feed cost.
? Adoption of improved forages

Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes:
? Livestock owners will develop a better understanding of marketing options
? Producers will begin a more intensive grazing system
? Producers will utilize a veterinarian approved animal health plan
? Producers will utilize Extension testing services to improve their forages; soil testing and hay testing.

Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome:
? Producers will have a better idea of possible marketing options
? Owners will have a better understanding of grazing systems
? Enhance producers understanding of herd health and nutrition.
? Awareness of UK publication and research in animal production

Evaluation:

Evaluation:
Outcome: Livestock operations will become more sustainable
Indicator: Reduced cost feed systems and better marketing ideas
Method: Producer reports
Timeline: 2017-2019

Evaluation:
Outcome: Livestock will be healthier due better owner understanding and veterinarian approved plans
Indicator: Have educational sessions at each Cattlemen’s meetings
Method: Number of producers reporting fewer livestock health problems
Timeline: 2017-2020

Evaluation:
Outcome: Producers will develop better grazing plans to help reduce feed cost
Indicator: Attend training opportunities
Method: Grazing Schools, Field Days, and Cattlemen’s meetings
Timeline: 2017-2020

Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Livestock owners
Project or Activity: Cattlemen’s meetings
Content or Curriculum: Specialists, various topics
Inputs: Agents and Specialists
Date:2017-2020



Audience: Livestock owners
Project or Activity: Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Livestock management topics
Inputs: Specialists and successful producers, agents
Date: Annually




Audience: Livestock owners
Project or Activity: Grazing schools and KY Grazing Conference
Content or Curriculum: Livestock grazing topics
Inputs: Specialists
Date: Fall 2016 - 2020



Audience: Livestock owners
Project or Activity: KY Cattlemen’s Annual Conference
Content or Curriculum: Marketing livestock topics
Inputs: Specialists
Date: 2017 - 2020



Audience: Livestock owners
Project or Activity: BQA trainings
Content or Curriculum: BQA presentation and training manuals
Inputs: Ken Johnson
Date: 2017 - 2020