Beef Cattle ProductionPlan of Work

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Boone County CES

Title:
Beef Cattle Production
MAP:
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
Agents Involved:
Michelle Simon
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
Situation:

There are over 40,000 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; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars and may reach that level in 2014 with record high beef prices. Even with high prices it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improved public animal handling image

Improved animal welfare

Improved marketing opportunities

Intermediate Outcomes:

Utilize basic principles of dystocia and manage to avoid it

Use proper cattle handling and movement techniques

Construct a cattle handling facility

Utilize proper euthanasia techniques

Use proper transportation practices

Reduce the use of electronic prods, pipes, and sticks for moving animals

Calculate and properly time for castration and dehorning to minimize animal stress

Utilize body condition scoring to manage nutrition of animals

Proper vaccination techniques to improve quality of beef and control of preventable disease

Balance rations to meet nutritional needs of cattle 

Initial Outcomes:

Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being.

Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.

Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Improved marketing opportunities

Indicator: increase in the profitability of beef operations

Method: year-end survey of cattle association members

Timeline: January 2021


Intermediate Outcome: Balance rations to meet nutritional needs of cattle 

Indicator: increase use of recommended beef production practices

Method: year-end survey of cattle association members

Timeline: January 2021


Initial Outcome: Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being;

Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.

Indicator: increase knowledge of recommended beef production practices

Method: end of class surveys

Timeline: throughout the year


Initial Outcome: Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.

Indicator: increased knowledge of beef cattle management techniques to improve profitability

Method: Field days, demonstrations, educational programs with Northern Kentucky Cattle Association 

Timeline: January through December 2021


Intermediate Outcome: Proper vaccination techniques to improve quality of beef and control of preventable disease

Indicator: Increased knowledge in health management techniques including vaccinations 

Method: Beef Quality and Care Assurance Training 

Timeline: May 2021


Long-term Outcome: Improved public animal handling image, Improved animal welfare

Indicator: Increase in profitability from more efficient weight gain from balancing rations specific to stage of cattle production and type 

Method: Ration Balancing training

Timeline: January 2021

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers

Project or Activity: Beef Integrated Research & Cattle Welfare Programming

Content or Curriculum: video, live presentations, & online courses

Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material

Date: September 2021


Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA)

Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality Assurance (BQCA) videotape, handout publication.

Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material

Date: May 2021


Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers

Project or Activity: . Beef Cattle Reproductive and Nutritional Improvement Program

Content or Curriculum: Program developed by Agent and Specialists

Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material

Date: September 2021

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