Crop Production Systems
Improving Farm Practices
Drake
Grains
Grain crop production is Butler County's largest agriculture enterprise with over $23 million in crop sales each year. The majority of the county's full-time farmers are grain producers. Around 40,000 acres are now planted each year in the county. Extension's unbiased research-based info is needed now more than ever.
Farmers crop yields increase through management, making farms sustainable.
Farmers will adopt improved practices to increase yield or profitability. Farmers will use the best seed varieties for their farm.
Farmers learn about improved farm practices. Farmers learn best seed varieties for Kentucky.
Initial Outcome: Farmers learn about improved practices and varieties
Indicator: Evaluation results
Method: Paper evaluation
Timeline: September 2021
Intermediate Outcome: Farmers use best seed varieties
Indicator: Farmers using UK Variety trials to make seed decisions
Method: Interview
Timeline: May 2022
Long-term Outcome: Yield increases
Indicator: County average yield
Method: Get county average yield info from Farm Service Agency
Timeline: October 2021
Audience: Grain Farmers
Project or Activity: Promote UK Variety Trial information
Content or Curriculum: UK Variety Progress Reports
Inputs: Agent time, local media, newsletters
Date: November 2021
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Author: Gregory Drake
Major Program: Forages
The Simpson and Butler County Extension Agents for Agriculture developed a forage management program that would be held exclusively on Zoom video conferencing technology. The program was titled, “Forage Management Workshop” and was comprised of a 3-part series in the months of January and February with each topic featuring University of Kentucky forage and agronomy specialists. The session titles were as follows: “Forage Selection for Optimum Production”