Improving Profitability and Sustainability of Livestock and Crop ProductionPlan of Work

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Marion County CES

Title:
Improving Profitability and Sustainability of Livestock and Crop Production
MAP:
Promoting Commodities
Agents Involved:
Christan Miracle, Amanda Sublett
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Grains
Situation:

According to the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture Marion County had 954 farming operations encompassing approximately 163,000 acres of land. These farms had total sales of approximately $60 Million. Of the farms, 814 grew crops on approximately 85,000 acres. Over half of the farms in the county raise livestock with the primary type being a beef cow/calf raising operation. Low prices for crops for several years and rapidly falling cattle prices have made it a challenge for farmers to make money. While profit has become a challenge, farmers want and need to continue to operate in a sustainable manner that minimizes impacts on the environment.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Low cost, profitable farms will have long term viability and sustainability. Farms that emphasize environmental sustainability will have the ability to preserve resources far into the future. Farm Families will have reduced expenses and will be able to expand their operation. Emphasis on soil and water quality and preservation will allow these farms to succeed.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmers adopt new practices that lead to more efficient and sustainable operations including performing examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation  Farm incomes and environmental quality improve. Farmers will improve their herd by implementing a crossbreeding program and make EPD and selection decisions.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will be educated in practices emphasizing operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. Some of these practices include: rotational grazing, ration balancing, forage utilization and testing, soil testing, time management, record keeping and water quality preservation through emphasis on proper chemical, soil preservation and nutrient management practices. Farmers will have an understanding of the importance of and frame work of on-farm trials and be able to identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator:Producer learns or adopts new skill

Method:Follow-up Visits after initial Visit has been made

Timeline:4-6 Weeks after initial visit

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator:Producer learns or adopts new skill, Producer reports that new practices have improved his/her farms profitability

Method: Pre/Post Survey/Follow-up Visit

Timeline:4-6 Months


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:Producer adopts new practices/reports farm is more economically succesful

Method: Pre/Post Survey/Foloow-up visit

Timeline:1 Year 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Cattle Farmers 

Project or Activity: BQCA training 

Content or Curriculum: Lecture and hands on education 

Inputs: Specialists, County Agent 

Date: Fall 

  

Audience: Grain Crop Producers/Cattle Farmers 

Project or Activity: Pesticide Training 

Content or Curriculum: Lecture and hands on education 

Inputs: Specialists, County Agent 

Date: Winter/Spring 

  

Audience: Grain Farmers 

Project or Activity: Field Day 

Content or Curriculum: Demonstrate efficient and sustainable practices and implement other Extension Programming areas such as 4-H, FCS, EDNEP 

Inputs: Specialists, County agent, local farm operation 

Date: Fall  

  

Audience: Small Ruminant Farmers 

Project or Activity: Bi-Monthly Meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Educate Producers on grazing, nutrition, and breeding of small ruminants 

Inputs: Specialist, County Agent, Publication, Farmers/Producers 

Date:  Throughout the year 

  

Audience: Sheep/Goat Producers 

Project or Activity: Small Ruminant Field Day 

Content or Curriculum: Lecture and hands on education 

Inputs: Specialists, County Agent 

Date: Spring 

  

Audience: Young/Beginning Farmers 

Project or Activity: Young Farmers Beginning Farming Class Series 

Content or Curriculum: Lecture and hands on education 

Inputs: Specialists, County Agent, Publications, Farmers/Producers 

Date: Throughout the year 

  

Audience: Cattle Farmers 

Project or Activity: Beef Cattle Meetings 

Content or Curriculum: Presentation and Q and A Sessions 

Inputs: Specialists, County Agent 

Date: Throughout the year 

  

Audience: Cattle Farmers/Forage Producers 

Project or Activity: Forage Field Walks 

Content or Curriculum: Lecture and hands on education 

Inputs: Specialists, County Agent 

Date: Summer/Fall 

  

Audience: Marion County Farmers and Citizens 

Activity: Newspaper article 

Content or Curriculum: Livestock, tobacco, crop and home and commercial horticulture issues 

Inputs: Information from specialists, County Agent 

Date: Weekly 



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