Food Animal AgriculturePlan of Work

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Boyd County CES

Title:
Food Animal Agriculture
MAP:
Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Agents Involved:
Harned
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Swine
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:

Commercial cattle remain by far the top economic livestock species in the county. Goat numbers are leveling off, or even declining, at least for commercial sales purposes, although purebred breeding stock and show quality animals remain in high demand. Sheep are not an economic factor and are present in very low numbers. We are seeing a slight increase in pigs/hogs, both breeding and market types. One area that we are seeing a significant interest in is managing land for wildlife, mostly for hunting purposes but also just for viewing enjoyment. We will also offer educational opportunities to the public who, due to the COVID induced meat shortages, seem to be much more interested in buying local raised, custom processed meat.

Long-Term Outcomes:

For owners of livestock, they will improve the way their livestock are handled and cared for as we become more responsive to the demands of the consumers concerned about animal welfare as well as the meat products that come from these animals. Additionally, they will implement practices that are more protective of the environment in raising and maintaining their stock. The challenge will be integrating the above practices while still retaining the ability to make a profit on the ruminants and swine. . At least from a cattle perspective, this can at least partially be addressed through having cattle owners become certified through the Kentucky BQCA program. The local food animal producers will have a steady local market for their animals as more local people buy them for custom processing.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Cattle owners will continue to apply the information that they receive to improve the productiveness of their animals, through increased nutritional information as well as health care, handling and facilities.Goat owners will continue to improve their genetics through buck collections and AI as well as implementing better health care and nutritional methods. All will continue to integrate into their operations the practices necessary to protect the environment, including water resources and the quality of life of their charges while in their care. Local food animals producers will continue to see an increase in demand for their livestock as local consumers adjust to buying their meat locally and have it custom processed.

Initial Outcomes:

Cattle owners will continue to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to keep their operations profitable. This will include re-enforcing current practices as well as those that develop moving forward. They will stay informed about changing laws and regulations that will affect them and their operations, as will small ruminant owners. Local livestock producers and the general public will have a new livestock processing facility to take advantage of, with the goal of having it become USDA certified within 6 months to a year of opening.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge and/or skills gained in addressing production efficiency as well as changing social expectations of their chosen operations.

Indicator: More attendance at programs addressing the above issues

Method: Program pre and post evaluation instruments, if appropriate, and group and individual follow-up

Timeline: 2022-2022


Intermediate Outcome: Agriculture animal owners will implement changes in the operations that address social, environmental and production issues.

Indicator: Increased practices put into action on the farms and farmsteads addressing environmental, social and production issues

Method: On-site visits, increase in number of contacts addressing the issues, personal contacts

Timeline: 2022-2024


Long-term Outcome: Negative environmental impact from animal agriculture will be greatly lessened, the social perspective will improve and the livestock producers will still be profitable, more efficient and still in operation.

Indicator: Improved water quality from testing results, increased livestock production/profits, a more favorable look from the public of animal agriculture.

Method: Site-visits, personal contacts, word of mouth from the public

Timeline: 2022 - 2024 and beyond

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Property owners with livestock

Project or Activity: Proper fencing program/demonstration(s)

Content or Curriculum: How to make sufficient fences to contain animals as well as to protect/preserve water ways from the animals while still being able to use the water resource

Inputs: Cooperators, fencing supplies, industry experts, UK specialists, Extension agents

Date: 2022 or 2023


Audience: Beef Producers (Highlands Beef Cattle Association or HBCA)

Project or Activity: Monthly meetings with educational programs

Content or Curriculum: Fencing; processing; forage production; health care issues; genetics. marketing

Inputs: Agents, state specialist, industry experts, KDA, KBN

Date: Monthly 2022-24


Audience: Beef cattle producers

Project or Activity: Master Cattleman’s Program, Beginning and/or Advanced

Content or Curriculum: State Master cattleman curriculum

Inputs: Agents, facilities, state specialists

Date: 2022


Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Ag Water Quality Plan workshop

Content or Curriculum: Ag Water Quality Plan computer program and printed materials

Inputs: Agent, Conservation Office, facilities, computers, copies

Date:2022-2024


Audience: Wildlife enthusiasts and general landowners

Project or Activity: Developing wildlife food plots

Content or Curriculum: How to develop food plots for increased nutritional health of wildlife, including game animals for harvesting, as well as just backyard type viewing pleasure

Inputs: Extension agents, facilities, plot work, wildlife cameras

Date:2022


Audience: County and area farmers

Project or Activity: Basic Nutrient Management Plan education program

Content or Curriculum: NRCS, UK, USDA materials as needed

Inputs: Agent, specialists, NRCS personnel

Date: 2022-2024


Audience: Livestock owners

Project or Activity: Expansion of Livestock composting program

Content or Curriculum: UK specialist provided materials

Inputs: Composting site, composting materials, tractor, personnel to input animals

Date: 2022-24


Audience: Goat Producers

Project or Activity: AI and Collection Program

Content or Curriculum: Genetics

Inputs: Agent, facilities, AI and reproduction specialist

Date: 2022-24


Audience: Goat Producers

Project or Activity: Multi state Goat Seminar

Content or Curriculum: UK and Purdue Health, nutrition, breeding, and parasite control

Inputs: Agent, facilities, State specialist form UK, KSU, and Purdue

Date: 2022-24


Audience: Goat Producers

Project or Activity: Tri-State Goat Association meetings

Content or Curriculum: Nutrition; parasite control; purebred vs. registered vs. crossbred; putting on sanctioned shows; foot care; forages suitable for goats; etc.

Inputs: Agents, state specialist, industry experts,

Date: 2022-24



Audience: Forage Animal Producers

Project or Activity: Tri-State Grazing Program

Content or Curriculum: Developed for the conference using information from UK, WVU and OSU Extension, plus NRCS and Conservation

Inputs: In conjunction with other counties,; agents, local farms and farmers, state specialists, NRCS and Conservation personnel, facilities, etc.

Date: 2022-2024, annually



Audience: Forage and  Forage Animal Producers, General Public

Project or Activity: Forage Demonstration and weed control plots

Content or Curriculum: Developed in conjunction with UK Forage Specialist

Inputs: State specialists, facilities, etc.

Date: 2022 or 2023

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