Improve Livestock Production and Management SkillsPlan of Work

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Rockcastle County CES

Title:
Improve Livestock Production and Management Skills
MAP:
Promote Livestock Production and Management
Agents Involved:
Garrard Coffey
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Dairy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Situation:

Teachable moments for new and improved livestock production practices are continually developing. Nearly 350 Beef Farm Operators need exposure to better management practices in Herd Health, Nutrition and Genetics as well as assistance placing practices in place to improve their production and marketing. The Cattlemen's Association, Agriculture Development Council and Livestock groups assist in program identification and implementation.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Livestock producers optimize their management skills through current technology allowing for increased income and economic stability.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Livestock producers will seek and implement new management skills such as Cattle Handling facilities, Herd Health, Nutrition, Breeding Management, Back grounding and Marketing.

Initial Outcomes:

Livestock producers will gain knowledge in current technology and implement practices as it relates to improved management and economic stability. Including improved handling facilities allowing for appropriate herd health procedures for cows, calves and yearlings. Beef Quality Assurance as related to animal health procedures. Breeding management of the bull as well as new breeding tools for synchronization and timed AI. Nutrition for cows and yearlings, new de-worming procedures for herd health. Two demonstration herds participate in (IRM) Integrated Resource Management project.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Beef Producers utilize Winter Producer Meetings, Special Multi-County classes, CAIP Investment Programs, Extension farm visits to improve working facilities, implement new de-worming procedures for herd health, and adoption/management results from IRM project.

Indicator: Number participating, Investments made.

Method: Meetings, Farm visits, demonstrations.

Timeline: Year round


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Livestock producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance training along with CAIP Cattle Handling Facility tour. Calving season demonstration utilizing synchronization with CIDRs.

Content or Curriculum: Winter Producer Meetings on Herd Health, Calving Seasons, Reproductive Management, Economic update, Mineral formulation and Marketing.

Inputs: Training meetings, Tour, Demonstrations.

Date: January-October




Success Stories

CAIP Training

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Approximately 75 producers in Rockcastle County were approved to get cost share funds through the county agriculture investment program.   Upon being approved for cost share these producers must attend an educational class pertaining to farm management.  Over the past 6 weeks the Rockcastle County extension office has offered a wide variety of programming for producers to attend that will coincide with the cost share program in which they were funded.  These programs include backg

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Ag tool Tuesday

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

The idea for “Ag Tool Tuesday” was derived from seeing many "Tutorial Tuesday" videos and posts on social media. There are many tools that we can use in our farming operations that some producers might not be familiar, or may not know how to use.  Starting in January of 2021 the Rockcastle County Agriculture Agent started making Ag Tool Tuesday videos for Facebook and YouTube.  In these short, 2-4 minute, videos an agriculture tool is shown and the agent describes

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