Efficient and Profitable Corn, Wheat and Soybeans Production for Ballard County ProducersPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Ballard County CES

Title:
Efficient and Profitable Corn, Wheat and Soybeans Production for Ballard County Producers
MAP:
Ballard County Agriculture Stability
Agents Involved:
Tom Miller
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Grains
Situation:

In Ballard County Grain crop production is facing a downward pressure with severe economic distress (high inputs, low commodity prices, high land rent, flooded machinery market) for the foreseeable future.



Long-Term Outcomes:

Maximize profits for commercial ag producer

Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area

Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems

Significant percentage of producers implementing IPM practices

Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adopt usage of new technology for crop production

Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds

Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations

Implementation of on-farm trials

Initial Outcomes:

Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production

Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production

Increase understanding of production regulations

Understanding BioTech traits

Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials

Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production

Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products

Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmer knowledge and understanding will increase on Grain Production

Indicator: Higher results on Farmer Survey

Method: Crop Production Team Grower Survey

Timeline: Spring 2017


Intermediate Outcome: New Technology Use will increase

Indicator: Higher sales of products with new technology

Method: Retail dealer survey

Timeline: Fall 2021


Long-term Outcome: Farm Income will Improve

Indicator: Grain Farmer Balance sheet position will be better

Method: Use Kentucky farm Analysis Data for Comparison

Timeline: Fall 2021

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Ballard County Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Ag Newsletter

Content or Curriculum: Up to the minute information on crop production, insect and disease concerns and the latest research from UK

Inputs:Ky Pest News, Extension Specialists, Retail Ag Suppliers

Date: Monthly through year


Audience: Ballard County Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Ballard County Ag Day

Content or Curriculum: Up to date info on various grain topics

Inputs: Extension Specialists

Date: Winter 2021


Audience:

Project or Activity:

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs:

Date:



Success Stories

Ballard County CAIP Program

Author: Thomas Miller

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Ballard Counties’ Ag Development Council has put their Master Settlement Agreement to good use over the life of the program.  This past year saw the Ballard County Extension office and ANR Agent Tom Miller along with Bob Johnson from Non Profit Dynamic as administrator conducted a County Agricultural Investment Program where 68 producers participated.  Grain Storage and Handling was the biggest area of investment, with Precision Agriculture followed closely.  Hay storage and

Full Story

Ballard Mesonet Station Finally Online

Author: Thomas Miller

Major Program: Emergency Disaster Preparedness

Ballard Mesonet Station Finally Online

After several years of fruitless searches for a good location, the Ballard Mesonet Station is finally up and running.  On May 13, 2022, officials from State Government and Local Government met at the site just south of Bandana, Ky to hold a grand opening.  The search for a location started 8 years ago when Ballard ANR Agent Tom Miller and Rick Shanklin from Barkley Weather Service toured Ballard County looking for suitable locations.  Nothing was found that suited all the location

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County