Livestock, Poultry, & Crops Plan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Clinton County CES

Title:
Livestock, Poultry, & Crops
MAP:
Promoting Commodities & Crop Production
Agents Involved:
Guffey
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Situation:

Livestock and Poultry production make up the majority of farm income for Clinton County producers at $37.57 million, with poultry being the top commodity according to the Census of Agriculture County Profile (2017). Crop sales totaled $3.04 million. A recent positive turn in commodity prices have row crop producers interested in increasing production.  Inputs such as fertilize, seed and fuel have increased as well, a need was identified by discussion with producers on the opportunity of increasing grain production in the area.   Beef cow/calf producers continue to see declining prices along with rising feed, fuel and fertilizer costs, a need was identified by the Ag program council to assist producers in finding ways to reduce input costs, become more efficient, and improve net farm income.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Improving knowledge of grazing practices

Indicator: Producers increasing production through grazing techniques.

Method: Surveys and site visits.

Timeline: On-going


Initial Outcome: Participation in county programming increases.

Indicator: Attendance numbers.

Method: Rosters.

Timeline: Spring, Fall, & Winter

Long term Outcome: Improved production and profitability of forage based livestock systems

Indicator: producers reporting improvements in production and profitability  

Method: surveys

Timeline: Spring, Fall, & Winter


Initial Outcome: Awareness of budgeting tools available

Indicator: producers utilizing budgeting tools and templates.

Method: Surveys and site visits.

Timeline: On-going

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Quality and Care Assurance Training

Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality and Care Assurance Training Materials

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Winter 2021/22


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Twin Lakes Cattle Assoc. Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Beef Cattle production topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Quarterly


Audience: Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Clinton-Cumberland County Cattleman’s Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Beef cattle production topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Quarterly


Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Fall, Winter 2021/22


Audience: Poultry Producers

Project or Activity: Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Managing Poultry Litter for Profit

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: TBD


Audience: Grain Producers

Project or Activity: Grain Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: Winter 2022


Audience: All Producers

Project or Activity: CAIP Trainings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals

Date: As Needed


Audience: All Producers
 Activity: Soil Testing
 Content or Curriculum: Agr-1 Fertilizer Recommendations
 Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services
 Date: Ongoing


Activity: Forage Testing
 Audience: Forage Producers
 Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab
 Inputs: UK forage and Nutrition Specialists
 Date: Ongoing


Activity: Introduction of Budgeting tools and templates during production meetings.
 Audience: Livestock, poultry and grain crop producers.  
 Content or Curriculum: UK budgeting tools and templates in Excel.  
 Inputs: UK Economic Specialists
 Date: Winter 21/22


Activity: On-farm demonstration of Cereal Rye
 Audience: Small grain producers  
 Content or Curriculum: UK publications/Specialists
 Inputs: UK Grain Crop Specialists
 Date: Fall 2020, Winter, Spring 2022





Success Stories

Basic Welding School for Farmers

Author: Colby Guffey

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Minor equipment breakdowns can cost producers big money in lost time or repair bills. Through discussion with local producers and the Clinton Co. ANR Agent the need for hands-on basic welding instruction was mentioned.  After discussion with the Cumberland County ANR agent and the Albany Technology center welding instructor, it was decided to offer the program as a combined effort for a total of 12 participants. The class filled up within a few days of advertising. There is now a waitlist f

Full Story

Soil Testing program

Author: Colby Guffey

Major Program: Soil testing

In March of 2022 soil samples were sent to the UK soils lab for a local cow/calf producer to determine amount of fertilizer needed for hay in pasture growth.  After receiving the soil results back the ANR Agent, having previous knowledge of the producers’ fields and fertilizer practices, something was amiss.   The fields were showing major deficiency in P and K and the fertilizer recommendation was much higher than what the producer had been previously applying.  Having seve

Full Story

Corn Fungicide Trial

Author: Colby Guffey

Major Program: Grains

Grain crop producers continually struggle each season with the decision of whether to apply a fungicide to the corn crop or not.  A local producer called the ANR Agent to inquire about setting up a fungicide trial on corn at tassel.  A new startup company utilizing a drone to aerial apply fungicides to crops was contacted about participating in the trial.  The Clinton and Cumberland Co. ANR Agents cooperated on this project, setting up replicated plots with four reps being treated

Full Story

Bale grazing demonstration

Author: Colby Guffey

Major Program: Beef

Bale grazing is a technique of winter-feeding stored forages to beef cattle that has gained in popularity in recent years.  A local cow/calf producer inquired about utilizing bale grazing on his farm to help get better distribution of animal manure during the winter-feeding period and to minimize the damage done to feeding areas by his tractor while setting out hay.  Aerial maps as well as on farm visits were used to select the areas that the bales will be staged at prior to winter fee

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County