Extension
It Starts With Us
Beef Cattle Production
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
Michelle Simon
Beef
There are over 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 and may reach that level in 2014 with record high beef prices. Even with high 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 and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable.
Improved public animal handling image
Improved animal welfare
Improved marketing opportunities
Utilize basic principles of dystocia and manage to avoid it
Use proper cattle handling and movement techniques
Construct a cattle handling facility
Utilize proper euthanasia techniques
Use proper transportation practices
Reduce the use of electronic prods, pipes, and sticks for moving animals
Calculate and properly time for castration and dehorning to minimize animal stress
Utilize body condition scoring to manage nutrition of animals
Proper vaccination techniques to improve quality of beef and control of preventable disease
Balance rations to meet nutritional needs of cattle
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.
Long-term Outcome: Improved marketing opportunities
Indicator: increase in the profitability of beef operations
Method: year-end survey of cattle association members
Timeline: January 2022
Intermediate Outcome: Balance rations to meet nutritional needs of cattle
Indicator: increase use of recommended beef production practices
Method: year-end survey of cattle association members
Timeline: January 2022
Initial Outcome: Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being;
Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.
Indicator: increase knowledge of recommended beef production practices
Method: end of class surveys
Timeline: throughout the year
Initial Outcome: Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.
Indicator: increased knowledge of beef cattle management techniques to improve profitability
Method: Field days, demonstrations, educational programs with Northern Kentucky Cattle Association
Timeline: January through June 2022
Intermediate Outcome: Proper vaccination techniques to improve quality of beef and control of preventable disease
Indicator: Increased knowledge in health management techniques including vaccinations
Method: Beef Quality and Care Assurance Training
Timeline: June 2022
Long-term Outcome: Improved public animal handling image, Improved animal welfare
Indicator: Increase in profitability from more efficient weight gain from balancing rations specific to stage of cattle production and type
Method: Ration Balancing training
Timeline: January 2022
Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: Beef Integrated Research & Cattle Welfare Programming
Content or Curriculum: video, live presentations, & online courses
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material
Date: September 2021
Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA)
Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality Assurance (BQCA) videotape, handout publication.
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material
Date: May 2022
Audience: Beef Cattle Farmers
Project or Activity: . Beef Cattle Reproductive and Nutritional Improvement Program
Content or Curriculum: Program developed by Agent and Specialists
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, County Agents, Program materials, handouts/ presentation material
Date: November 2021
