Improved Management and ProfitabilityPlan of Work

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Bath County CES

Title:
Improved Management and Profitability
MAP:
Agriculture and Environment
Agents Involved:
Amburgey, Clemons
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Situation:

Bath County's 4 major commodities are Beef Cattle, Forages, Tobacco and Grain. Other minor commodities include vegetables, fruit, chickens, eggs, horses and goats. According the the latest census of agriculture, Bath County has 728 farms in the county which encompasses 127,159 acres making the average size farm 175 acres. In 2017 the total cash receipts for Bath County's agricultural products was $18,317,000 compared to $19,261,000 in 2012,. Total crop sales made a value of $8,994,000 with Tobacco accounting for 14%, Soybeans 26%, Corn 16% and all other crops including hay 44%. Total livestock sales made a value of $12,668,000 with Cattle & Calves accounting for nearly 90% of total livestock sales with the remainder coming from Poultry and Eggs, Sheep&Goats and All Other including breed/stud fees.


Comparing statistics from 2012 to 2017. The total Cattle & Calve numbers have increased 5.5% to 30,373 head. Corn acreage has decreased by 986 acres. Soybean acreage has increased by 391 acres producing an additional value of $130,203.00. Tobacco acreage has decreased by 640 acres from 2012 to 2017 to only 205 acres.


Hesitation of farmer to try different crops because of past experiences, profitability, lack of available market and resources have been a detriment to the expansion of ag in the county.  Age of farmers and the lack youth interested in production agriculture have also had a negative effect.

Labor Issues (Dependability and Scarcity) continue to plague agriculture in this community.


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

Outcome:  Farmer’s take advantage of marketing opportunities

Indicator:  more participation in local markets and auctions

Method:      increase in total participation and total sales

Timeline:   June through October


Outcome:  Improved efficiency in beef production

Indicator:  participation in learning opportunities and adoption of better management practices

Method: surveys and total participation, overall improvement in cattle income for the county

Timeline: April through December


Outcome:  Better utilization of available resources

Indicator:  increase in soil testing, crop yield data, total acreage

Method:   ag census, crop reports, marketing data, surveys

Timeline:  July through October

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farm Families

Project or Activity: County Agricultural Field Day, online learning opportunities

Content or Curriculum: Forage, Grain and Livestock Production

Inputs: Producer, Volunteers, Farm Organizations, Commodity Groups and UK Specialists

Date: August, September


Audience: Beef Cattle Producers

Project or Activity: Beef Production Meetings, BQCA, Demonstrations, Beef Association, online learning opportunities

Content or Curriculum: Health, Nutrition, Handling Facilities, Legislation, Environmental, Financial

Inputs: UK Specialists and Ag Business

Date: August, October, January, April, June


Audience: Tobacco, Grain and Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Agricultural Commodity Night, field days, online learning opportunities

Content or Curriculum: Production Updates, UK videos and publications

Inputs: UK and USDA, MSU, Private Industry

Date: January, February


Audience: vegetable and value added producers

Project or Activity:  Regional growers meeting, PBPT, production information direct mailed, Farmer’s market and produce auction, marketing updates, hemp updates, online learning opportunities, online certifications

Content or Curriculum: production updates, variety improvements, soil testing information, market availability, value added opportunities, SrFMNP, WIC, PBPT training opportunities

 Inputs: UK specialists, agent visits, trainings, regional events

 Date: May – December


Audience: Youth and Teens

Project or Activity: Bath County Youth Cattle Program

Content and Curriculum: Beef Resource Handbook, online programs

Inputs: Bath County Cattleman's Association, U. K. Publications, U. K. Trainings



Success Stories

Enhanced marketing opportunities

Author: Robert Amburgey

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

The agent continues to work closely with the local leadership and market management to provide a commercial outlet for producers who are in the business of marketing horticultural products.  The Bath County Produce auction continues to function as an outlet for producers who want to market a wide variety of horticulture products.  The auction program provides the opportunity to market products in various size containers based on their current marketing strategy.  The market manage

Full Story

Enhanced Farmer's Market Opportunities

Author: Robert Amburgey

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Bath County Extension ag program worked with the extension district board and the Farmer's market executive committee to develop an opportunity to extend the marketing season for locally grown and locally produced products.  The district board agreed to provide the market pavilion to the farmer's market from October to December to allow local producers and artisans the opportunity to sell their products inside through the holiday season.  The extended indoor market not only

Full Story

Beef Education

Author: Robert Amburgey

Major Program: Beef

The Bath County Extension Office has a strong focus on producer education in beef cattle management and production.  During the course of the past year, the extension office has worked closely with our beef cattle producers and local associations to provide bi-monthly programs on various areas of management including feeds and nutrition, cattle handling and marketing.  Some of these programs were conducted face to face while some programs were presented via video trainings.  Produ

Full Story
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