Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock
Agriculture Sustainability
David Embrey
Beef
Forages
According to USDA statistics, Edmonson county has almost 94,000 acres in farms. With 37.5 percent in woodlands, buildings, home gardens, etc and usually no more than 6000-8000 acres used for grain crops, the remainder is in forages and is either pastured or harvested mechanically. Many producers have increased the number of livestock or begun a new livestock enterprise to compensate for lost or reduced income from tobacco and to take advantage of good cattle prices and new marketing opportunities.
Livestock producers will increase profitability by improving production practices, better marketing techniques, and higher levels of management. They will be able to maintain a sustainable operation.
Producers will improve grazing and forage harvesting practices, land management, herd health, animal nutrition, reproduction rates, genetic selection, and facilities. They will also seek to use different marketing opportunities and strategies.
Producers will increase their knowledge of livestock, forage, and land management and aspire to implement as many of these practices as possible into their own operation.
Initial Outcome: Increase in the number of producers that understand the value of better management practices and want to implement them into their operations.
Indicator: Number of producers that indicate that they gained knowledge and want to implement improved practices.
Method: Written and verbal follow up evaluations
Timeline: Immediately following programs presented and within 1-2 months after programs
Intermediate Outcome: Increase in better management practices, overall herd health and calving rates, and improved handling facilities.
Indicator: Continued construction and improvement of handling facilities, bull and heifer upgrades, fewer herd health problems
Method: Written and verbal follow up evaluations and farm visits.
Timeline: 2-3 years
Long-term Outcome: Increased and sustained incomes from livestock enterprises
Indicator: Increase and expansion of livestock operations and related businesses in the county.
Method: Written and verbal follow up evaluations and farm visits.
Timeline: 3-4+ years
Audience: Established livestock producers and anyone seriously considering starting out.
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance training
Content or Curriculum: Management practices for food safety and awareness
Inputs: County Ag Agent, office meeting room, BQA kit, BQA DVD, BQA manual
Date: November - March
Audience: Established livestock producers and anyone seriously considering starting out.
Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator training
Content or Curriculum: Pest Identification, proper handling, use, and storage of pesticides
Inputs: County Ag Agent, County office meeting room, power point presentations, and pesticide cards
Date: Winter and/or early Spring
Audience: Established livestock producers and anyone seriously considering starting out.
Project or Activity: Beef Cattle Feeding and Nutrition classes
Content or Curriculum: Feeding cattle to provide the proper nutrition at each different stage of life
Inputs: County Ag Agent, County office meeting room, power point presentations derived from Extension Specialist information, Extension Specialists
Date: October - March
Audience: Established livestock producers and anyone seriously considering starting out.
Project or Activity: Pasture and hay field classes and demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: Properly growing and caring for forages, correctly fencing pastures for rotational grazing, proper fertility of forages, forages types and varieties, cutting hay at the proper times for maximum nutritional value
Inputs: County Ag Agent, Specialists, University and Extension facilities, county Master Grazer Demo Farm
Date: Spring and summer of each year
Author: David Embrey
Major Program: Beef
Small beef operations throughout Kentucky have always been challenged to be profitable on a consistent basis. Most take what they can get by selling only at livestock auctions. The takes little effort on the producers part, but generally does not lead to good profits. For the past three to four years, several members of the Edmonson County Cattlemen's Association have been exploring entering new markets for their beef cattle. During the recent pandemic grocery shortages, this exploration tur
