Livestock Production & ProfitabilityPlan of Work

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Shelby County CES

Title:
Livestock Production & Profitability
MAP:
Production, Marketing & Profitability
Agents Involved:
Corinne Belton
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Equine
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Swine
Situation:

There are approximately 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars. Regardless of cattle prices, it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land, reduce antibiotic use, and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our local Agriculture and Natural Resource agents to provide Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable

It is estimated at in 2017, Kentucky had 48,000 head of sheep, a decrease of 5,000 from the previous year. Breeding sheep and lambs were estimated at 38,000 and market sheet and lambs were estimated at 10,000 head. Lamb from increased aby 3,000 between 2016 and 2017. The goat inventory decreased by 3,000 between 2016 and 2017 for an estimated 56,000 head. Milk goat (5,500 head) increased by 500 from the previous year.

According to USDA Agriculture Census 2017, 96% of the 16,280 Kentucky horses and ponies are on farms with 1 to 24 horses. Most Extension’s equine clients are horse and farm owners who ride for sport and recreation and businesses that support those clients. 

Kentucky ranks 18th in the nation for total swine production with more than 1,000 swine operations. Swine productions accounts for 2% of total cash receipts for Kentucky agriculture. In 2017, Kentucky had approximately 410,000 total head of swine with 45,000 breeding animals and 365,000 market hogs and pigs

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Long term viability

*Producers save money by making informed selection decisions

*Improve herd/flock quality

*Maximize profits for commercial ag producer

*Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area

*Improve sustainability of intensively managed livestock production systems

*Increase positive opinion of animal agriculture of non-farm individuals

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Test forage for nutritional quality

*Provide a complete mineral supplement program

*Implement cross breeding program

*Make EPD and targeted selection decisions to capitalize on a value-added product

*Implement a managed grazing system

*Utilize alternative forages

*Properly use medicated feed

*Create improved livestock handling equipment/facilities

*Slowly and quietly handle cattle

*Discuss animal welfare issues less defensively with others

*Adopt usage of new technology for livestock production

*Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds


Initial Outcomes:

*Gain knowledge of the livestock industry and information and tools to succeed in livestock production

*Interpret forage analyses, feed and mineral bag tabs and to balance rations.

*Increase awareness of the following practices: reproduction, genetics, nutrition, health, end product, general herd management, economics and marketing.

*Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being.

*Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.

*Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth and adults increase KOSA about traditional and alternative agriculture enterprises and practices

Indicator: Increased KOSA about traditional and alternative agriculture enterprises and practices

Method: Post-training evaluations, observation

Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults implement production management practices such as: evaluation, variety selection, forage improvement, marketing, reproduction and nutrition.

Indicator: Improved management practices in evaluation, variety selection, forage improvement, marketing, reproduction and nutrition

Method: Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Yearly


Long-term Outcome: Increased agriculture production and profitability

Indicator: Higher production and increased profits

Method: Self-reporting, observation

Timeline: Year-to-year over the next decade

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: Regional Beef Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Value added information

Inputs: KCARD

Date: October 2021


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: For Rookies Series

Content or Curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: UK publications, specialists, agents

Date: Spring 2022


Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Pasture and Grazing management courses

Content or Curriculum: UK publications

Inputs: UK publications, specialists, agents

Date: Fall 2021 - Spring 2022


Audience:  Small Ruminant Producers

Project or Activity:  Small Ruminant School

Content or Curriculum: UK and KSU publications

Inputs:  UK/KSU publications, specialists, agents

Date:  Winter, 21-22


Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality & Care Assurance (BQCA)

Content or Curriculum: BQCA curriculum

Inputs: BQCA  curriculum, video, agents, specialists

Date: Year-round


Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Emergency 101

Content or Curriculum: Veterinary information

Inputs: Local vets, agents, specialists

Date: Fall 2021



Success Stories

Small Ruminant Producers Engage in Hands-on Learning

Author: Corinne Belton

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Small farm numbers in Shelby County continue to rapidly increase.  The county has seen steady growth in land ownership in the 1-49 acre range with landowners looking for innovative ways to increase income on small acreage tracts.  Sheep farms are one of the fastest growing segments here, with Shelby County jumping from a #12 ranking in Kentucky sheep production in 2012 to #9 in 2017.  Due to the increasing number of producers raising sheep and goats, and their need for basic small

Full Story

Regional Beef Field Day Provides Learning Opportunity for Producers

Author: Corinne Belton

Major Program: Beef

Educating local beef producers is a high priority in Shelby County. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Shelby County has more than $15 million in beef animal sales yearly, emphasizing the need for beef producers to take herd management and breeding decisions seriously. Field days serve to educate cattlemen regarding important production principles while demonstrating practices in a practical, on-farm setting.  With these facts in mind, Agriculture Extension agents in Old

Full Story
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