Webster County CES

Title:

Educational Opportunities for Livestock Producers

MAP:

Animal Agriculture

Agents Involved:

Shadrick

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Hay testing

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Soil testing

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Forages

Situation:

Forage and livestock management are vital to Kentucky's agricultural economy.  There are approximately 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. In 2017, animal sales for Webster County was 88.7 million. Cattle and calves makeup 12% while poultry and eggs make up 88%. Regardless of cattle prices, it is important to education beef producers on best management practices. Educational programs are needed to provide producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Build the reputation and value of KY cattle

Improved public animal handling image

Improved end product quality and food safety

Enhanced profitability by selling value-added calves

Increased days of grazing

Protect and improve water quality

Producers save money by making better selection decisions

Improve sustainability of forage-based livestock systems

Improved forage stands due to proper establishment practices

Improved soil health and reduced soil erosion

Intermediate Outcomes:

Have access to premium markets

Implement a managed grazing system

Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency

Soil test 

Test forages for nutritional quality

Use alternative forage species (annuals, warm season perennial)

Utilize a complete mineral supplement program

Properly calibrate and use a no-till seeder

Adopt at least one ag water quality BMP for grazing livestock

Employ record systems to track drug use, vaccines, chemicals, feed additives, and the movement of cattle on and off operations.

Develop or update plans: Ag Water Quality, Nutrient Management and implement Ag Water Quality plans

Participate in KBN marketing programs (CPH, MAG 60)

Initial Outcomes:

Increase knowledge of nutrient needs of cattle at various ages and stages of production

Increase knowledge on body condition scoring

Raise awareness of proper animal handling a welfare

Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality

Increase knowledge of veterinary feed directive

Increase knowledge of fundamentals of disease prevention

Identify best management practices for nutrient management

Gain knowledge of BMPS for proper injection techniques for cattle, proper recordkeeping to ensure adequate withdrawal time 

Raise awareness of CPH-45 program requirements and benefits

Raise awareness of forage variety trial information

Understand how to fill forage gaps with alternative forage species

Awareness of forage harvest, storage and feeding management to reduce losses

Understanding pasture renovation and forage establishment practices

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Increased knowledge of nutrient needs of cattle at various ages and stages of production

Method: survey via google form and emailed/texted to participants

Timeline:within one month of program

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: number of producers testing forages for nutritional quality

Method: follow-up interview via phone 

Timeline: 6 months after program

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Increased days of grazing

Method: follow-up interviews and surveys

Timeline: 6-18 months after program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef Producers and Landowners

Project or Activity: Timely reminders, updates and recommendations through social media

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications and recommendations

Inputs: UK Specialist, UK Extension Agents, KY Beef Network, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, Governor's office of ag policy

Date: Calendar year

Audience: Webster County Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Annual Beef Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Based on current beef and livestock issues

Inputs: UK specialists, Agents, Webster County Cattlemen's Association,  KBN

Date: February 2021 

Audience: Webster County Beef IRM Project

Project or Activity: Individualized program for Olson Farms

Content or Curriculum:  UK Publications

Inputs: Specialist, agents, Cattlemen's Association, KBN 

Date: On-going Project (began in fall 2017)

Audience:  Webster County Beef Producers

Project:  Field day/Pasture walk

Content or Curriculum:  UK publications and guidelines

Inputs:  Specialist, ANR agents, cattlemen's association, KBN

Audience:  Beef Producers

Project:  Farm Visits

Content or Curriculum:  UK publications 

Inputs:  ANR agents, specialists, NRCS staff

Success Stories