Improve Livestock Production and Management SkillsPlan of Work

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Rockcastle County CES

Title:
Improve Livestock Production and Management Skills
MAP:
Promote Livestock Production and Management
Agents Involved:
Garrard Coffey
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Equine
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Situation:

Teachable moments for new and improved livestock production practices are continually developing. Nearly 350 Beef Farm Operators need exposure to better management practices in Herd Health, Nutrition and Genetics as well as assistance placing practices in place to improve their production and marketing. The Cattlemen's Association, Agriculture Development Council and Livestock groups assist in program identification and implementation.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Livestock producers optimize their management skills through current technology allowing for increased income and economic stability.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Livestock producers will seek and implement new management skills such as Cattle Handling facilities, Herd Health, Nutrition, Breeding Management, Back grounding and Marketing.

Initial Outcomes:

Livestock producers will gain knowledge in current technology and implement practices as it relates to improved management and economic stability. Including improved handling facilities allowing for appropriate herd health procedures for cows, calves and yearlings. Beef Quality Assurance as related to animal health procedures. Breeding management of the bull as well as new breeding tools for synchronization and timed AI. Nutrition for cows and yearlings, new de-worming procedures for herd health. Two demonstration herds participate in (IRM) Integrated Resource Management project.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Beef Producers utilize Winter Producer Meetings, Special Multi-County classes, CAIP Investment Programs, Extension farm visits to improve working facilities, implement new de-worming procedures for herd health, and adoption/management results from IRM project.

Indicator: Number participating, Investments made.

Method: Meetings, Farm visits, demonstrations.

Timeline: Year round


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Livestock producers

Project or Activity: BQCA, Herd Health, Reproduction, Nutrition, Genetics, On Farm Demos of cattle estrous synchronization, economics, pasture management, hands on field days, conservation practices

Content or Curriculum: Winter Producer Meetings on Herd Health, Calving Seasons, Reproductive Management, Economic update, Mineral formulation and Marketing.

Inputs: Training meetings, Tour, Demonstrations, podcasts, youtube channel, facebook videos,

Date: January-October




Success Stories

Equine Farm and Facilities Field Day

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Equine

In order to help equine producers be efficient and profitable, Central Kentucky County Extension Agents for Agriculture & Natural Resources collaborated with Ag Equine Programs to offer the Equine Farm and Facilities Expo. The assistance of long-time business community sponsors allowed producers to see what the latest offerings are in farm machinery, equine nutrition products, and numerous other necessities for equine operations. Just like in years past, the expo included discussions an

Full Story

CAIP informational meeting

Author: Garrard Coffey

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

On January 10th, 2022 the Rockcastle County Extension office partnered with the Rockcastle County Conservation district and USDA FSA office to hold a CAIP cost share informational meeting.  The meeting was held to help producers complete applications, update and complete ag water quality plans, answer questions about farm serial numbers and inform producers on rules and opportunities for investment areas.  In two separate meetings, held at 1pm and 6pm, 97 producers attended the meeting

Full Story
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