Promoting Commodies
Improving Farm Practices
Drake
Beef
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Butler County has a large livestock industry. Beef cattle and forages are important parts of our ag economy. There are almost $20 million in livestock sales annually.
Livestock operations are profitable and of improved genetics.
Farmers purchase high quality animals for use on their farm. This increases the productivity of their herd.
Farmers produce higher quality forage for their own use or for sale.
Farmers learn how to conduct a livestock sale.
Farmers learn what is involved in preparing animals to be sold in a special sale.
Farmers can sell cattle locally.
Farmers learn the benefits of buying animals from known health and management protocol.
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Farmers are able to buy from each other through a livestock directory produced by the stockman’s association.
Initial Outcome: Farmers sell cattle locally
Indicator: Number of consignors and cattle in sale
Method: Pull data from catalog
Timeline: March 2021
Long-term Outcome: Livestock operations are profitable and of improved genetics
Indicator: Cattle farms profitable
Method: Ag states, UK Ag Economy data, Interview
Timeline: June 2021
Audience: Livestock Farmers
Project or Activity: County cattle sale
Content or Curriculum: How to conduct sale and prepare cattle for sale
Inputs: Volunteer time, Agent time, City facilities, local sponsorship
Date: March 2020
Audience: Livestock Farmers
Project or Activity: County Livestock Directory
Content or Curriculum: useful information about livestock farms
Inputs: Volunteer time, Agent time, Volunteer Time, local sponsorship
Date: June 2021
Author: Gregory Drake
Major Program: Forages
As the Coronavirus pandemic continues county agriculture agents find new ways to deliver information to clientele, and service work has become more important. Families have more time at home and to work on their farms and their property. Call volumes have increased our opportunities to work one on one with producers. I have had the opportunity to spend more time with producers, research their production issues, and provide detailed solutions than I have in many years. Dur
Author: Lloyd Saylor
Major Program: Civic Engagement
Families have been impacted financially and psychologically by the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Butler County Extension Service worked with The Kentucky Dairy Development Council and the H&S Dairy Farm to secure a semi-load of fresh dairy products for distribution to Butler County citizens. The event was organized and promoted by extension service staff and volunteers. The event was advertised as Dairy Promotion Day. The Butler County Family Resource Center and youth ser
Author: Gregory Drake
Major Program: Small Farm Diversification
The Mammoth Cave agriculture and horticulture agents collaborated to produce a Virtual Field Day in October of 2020. The agents in our ten county area worked as a team to develop educational farm tour videos of three very different operations across south-central Kentucky. The concept was to simulate a traditional field day and reach a diverse audience. McKinney Farms in Butler Co. produces and sells 70 acres ear corn primarily to deer hunters, and is a great example of ag diversific