Extension
It Starts With Us
Introduction of specialty markets
Natural Resources
Wayne Kirby
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The largest industry in Knox County is logging, or the harvesting of timbers. With the rising cost of machinery, it’s costing loggers more to harvest timber. On the other end of the spectrum, timber market prices are half of what they were five years ago. It’s become a lose-lose situation, where loggers are losing money due to increased production costs, and land owners are refusing to sell their timber due to decreased market value. Through education, Knox County Extension will help to provide assistance to the logging industry in Knox County.
Increased profit in the timber industry in Knox County for loggers and land owners.
Loggers will use new methods of timber production to decrease production expenses. They will also pursue specialty timber markets in order to increase sagging profits
Loggers/ land owners will become knowledgeable of the availability of specialty timber markets. Loggers will also learn new methods to decrease the expense of timber production.
Long-Term Outcome:
Indicator: Loggers will institute practices that will decrease the expense of timber production
Method: Testimonial/observation/practice/survey
Timeline: Winter-Summer
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Loggers/Landowner will recognize resources available & become knowledgeable of the availability of specialty timber markets.
Method: Sign in sheets/testimonials/surveys/observation
Timeline: Fall
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Loggers/Landowners will attend provided trainings
Method: Sign in sheets/testimonials/surveys/observation
Timeline: Fall
Audience: Loggers & Land Owners
Activity: Ag Newsletter & News Articles
Content: Environmental stewardship, best management practices, etc.
Date: Fall 2021/Spring 2022
Activity: Timber Harvesting Workshop and Demonstration
Content: Best Management Practices;
Date: Fall
Activity: Timber Marketing Diversification Workshop
Content: Marketing Techniques; Specialty Markets
Date: Fall
Activity: National Loggers Expo
Content: Educational display on best management practices
Date: Fall
Activity: Master Logger program
Content: Master Logger Certification & Master Logger CEU programs
Date:Fall 2021/Spring 2022
Author: Robert Kirby
Major Program: Beef
A Knox County farmer made the decision that he wanted to start a stocker and backgrounding operation where he could background his own calves and buy 500-600lb calves from semi load lots. Through educational programs and on farm visits by the Knox County Ag Agent, the farmer was educated on how to buy and match tractor trailer load lots, how to worm and work the cattle to control diseases, the most efficient nutritional feeding to enhance growth and reduce cost of gain, and how to market the cat
