Educational Opportunities for Livestock ProducersPlan of Work

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Webster County CES

Title:
Educational Opportunities for Livestock Producers
MAP:
Animal Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Shadrick
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Ag Water Quality Program
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Chemical Livestock Management Tools
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Forages
Situation:

There are over 400,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River. In 2012, Total Value of Animal Sales, including products, for Webster County was $58,053,000.00. Cattle and calves makeup 14% while poultry and eggs make up 86%. Even with high prices, it is important to education beef producers on best management practices. With a large number of poultry houses in Webster County, water and nutrient management is a priority. Educational programs are needed to provide producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Build the reputation and value of KY cattle

Improved end product quality and food safety

Enhanced profitability by selling value-added calves

Improve efficiency of manure handling

Protect and improve water quality

Intermediate Outcomes:

Have access to premium markets

Employ record systems to track drug use, vaccines, chemicals, feed additives, and the movement of cattle on and off operations.

Market cattle in large uniform lots, access to premiums for better management

Develop or update plans: Ag Water Quality, Nutrient Management and implement Ag Water Quality plans


Initial Outcomes:

Understand importance of clean water

Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality

Recognize best management practices for soil conservation

Identify best management practices for nutrient management

Gain knowledge of BMPS for proper injection techniques for cattle, proper recordkeeping to ensure adequate withdrawal time and proper handling techniques

Raise awareness of CPH-45 program requirements and benefits

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Knowledge gained for BMPs for protecting water quality through manure management

Method: survey

Timeline: immediately after program


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: number of water quality plans written or updated

Method: UK AG Water Quality evaluation tool

Timeline: given after educational program


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Improve efficiency of manure handling

Method: follow-up interviews and surveys

Timeline: 6-18 months after program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Webster County Producers and Landowners

Project or Activity: Cow/Calf Profitability Conference

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, 

Inputs: UK Specialist, UK Extension Agents, 

Date: Winter 2019-2020 (if approved)


Audience: Webster County Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Annual Beef Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Based on current beef and livestock issues

Inputs: UK specialists, Agents, Webster County Cattlemen's Association, Pasture to plate, KBN

Date: February 2020 


Audience: Webster County Beef IRM Project

Project or Activity: Individualized program for Olson Farms

Content or Curriculum:  UK Publications

Inputs: Specialist, agents, Cattlemen's Association, KBN 

Date: On-going Project (began in fall 2017)



Success Stories

Mid-West Beef Summit

Author: Vicki Shadrick

Major Program: Beef

The cost of production, in all aspects of agriculture, continues to increase while prices remain stable or decrease.  This scenario requires producers to analyze each decision as it relates to margin management.  For cow/calf operations, the cost of replacement breeding stock often takes 9 years before a positive return on investment occurs.  The need to cull typically coincides with the conclusion of this period, leaving salvage value as the only profit.  Understanding genet

Full Story

Management Details Improve Cow-calf Profitability

Author: Vicki Shadrick

Major Program: Farm Management

Paying attention to details helps to improve the profitability of any business. Dr. Kenneth Burdine, Dr. Greg Halich, and Jonathan Shepherd from the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Food and Environment, Agricultural Economics Department developed a program titled Cow Calf Profitability. They worked with Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources across the state to deliver the program in five locations across the commonwealth. Program topics focused primarily on managem

Full Story
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