Increase Livestock Production in Green CountyPlan of Work

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Green County CES

Title:
Increase Livestock Production in Green County
MAP:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Ricky Arnett
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Dairy
Situation:

Livestock production has always been a large part central Kentucky especially in Green County. Although prices are down there are still over $13 million in gross receipts in the livestock industry in Green County annually. This has a $78 million effect on the overall economy of the rural, central Kentucky County's. Beef cattle is still the number one livestock industry in Green County but small ruminants are growing at a very rapid pace. The sheep and goat industry has almost doubled in the last 2 years. Green County's livestock industry is still in great demand and the Green County Extension Council has identified livestock production as a major concern for the coming years. Forages, marketing, management, and economics were identified as focus areas that could help the future of the livestock industry in Green County.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Due to increased efficiency on the farm and utilizing different marketing strategies, farm families will experience an increase in income, adding to their standard of living.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers adopt and implement new technologies in marketing and management of their farming enterprise.

Initial Outcomes:

Knowledge is gained by participants in the areas of management, economics, and the latest in marketing technologies.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Producer participation in educational programs

Indicator: Programs and educational materials being distributed

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually 


Intermediate Outcome: Producers implementing new production and marketing strategies

Indicator: Participation in new and alternate market venues

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually 


Long-term Outcome: Increase Production and house hold income

Indicator: Increase lbs of meet sold and decrease operating cost

Method: Survey & Analysis

Timeline: Annually

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Dairy Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Dairy Short Course

Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Dry Cow Mgt, Heifer Mgt, Animal Health

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors

Date: Winter 2020/21


Audience: Dairy Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Dairy Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Reproduction, Dry Cow Mgt, Heifer Mgt, Animal Health

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Sponsors

Date: Fall 2020


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Green County Cattlemen's Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Marketing, Genetics, Retained Ownership, Mineral Programs

Inputs: Agent, Volunteers, Sponsors

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Green County Retained Ownership Program

Content or Curriculum: Ownership until slaughter

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Feedlots

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Center of KY Beef Conference

Content or Curriculum: Updates on Research and Markets

Inputs: Agents, Specialists

Date: July 2020


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Women's Master Cattlemen

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialists

Inputs: Agents, Specialist

Date: 2020


Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Forage Testing

Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab

Inputs: Agent, Staff, KY Dept. of Ag Lab

Date: Summer 2020


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Forage Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Quality Forages

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Specialists, Sponsors

Date: Fall 2020


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Soil Testing

Content or Curriculum: Soil Analysis and Fertilizer Recommendations

Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Phase I Cost Share Program

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: Agent, Staff, Cattlemen's Association

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Pesticide Certification

Content or Curriculum: KY Pesticide Safety Training Program

Inputs: Agents, Specialist, UK Publications

Date: Spring 2021


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance

Content or Curriculum: Herd Health Certification

Inputs: Agent, UK Publications

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Agriculture Development Council

Content or Curriculum: Planning the Investment of Local Phase I Dollars

Inputs: Agent, Ag Development Council

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Silage Plots

Content or Curriculum: Analysis on Corn Varieties

Inputs: Agent, Specialists, Sponsors, Volunteers

Date: Ongoing


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: Estate Planning 

Content or Curriculum: Planning for the Future 

Inputs: Agent, Sponsor

Date: Fall 2020



Success Stories

Bull Value Assessment Program

Author: Ricky Arnett

Major Program: Beef

Green County is the home of 20,200 beef cows (KY NASS) which contribute over $13.5 million to the local economy.  (USDA Ag Census 2017).  With a cow to bull ratio of 25:1 and a useful life of a bull averaging 4 years, Green County beef farmers purchase nearly 200 bulls each year.  75% of the genetics of retained heifers can be traced to the bulls farmers have used in the past five years.  Therefore the importance of bull selection goes far beyond just a few calf crops.In 2019

Full Story

Success Through Cooperation

Author: Ricky Arnett

Major Program: Beef

In Green County, the cooperation of the Green County Cooperative Extension Service and other local agencies and groups makes lasting impacts on our community.  No better example can be found than the 20+ year relationship between the Green County Cooperative Extension Service and the Green County Cattlemen’s Association.Since 2000, both organizations have worked hand in hand to improve the Green County beef industry. Through education, marketing of cattle, administering cost-share pro

Full Story
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