Extension
It Starts With Us
Management and Marketing
Enhancing Livestock and Crop Profitability
Pat Hardesty
Beef
Grains
Grains
Forages
Agriculture producers must continue to improve management/marketing skills to remain profitable and sustain a strong agricultural economy. Beef, dairy, grains and tobacco generate approximately $29 million. With these production systems, protecting the environment is also a responsibility producers are challenged with! With guidance from the Extension Council, the Taylor County Cattlemen’s Association directors and dairy committee, educational programs are planned which highlight management/marketing skills, protecting the environment and providing local foods.
Producers will sustain profitability through enhanced management and marketing skills by the implementation of technology, marketing strategies, BMP’s and management of expenses.
Producers will enhance profitability through the adoption of best management practices and marketing skills while controlling costs.
Producers will gain knowledge of how new technology improved practices and marketing strategies will enhance profitability.
Initial Outcome: Producers shall begin to enhance profitability through gained knowledge of improved management and marketing skills
Indicator: Producers are motivated to adopt best management of production and marketing.
Method: Surveys, Observation
Timeline: Throughout the year
Intermediate Outcome: Producers adopt recommended practices that were learned through educational programs.
Indicator: Producers will implement management practices
Method: Surveys, Observation
Timeline: Throughout the year
Long-term Outcome: Producers will improve profitability through enhanced management and marketing skills and adoption of new technology.
Indicator: Profitability is enhanced by using technology, enhanced management and marketing
Method: Ag. statistics, savings, observation
Timeline: Throughout the year
Audience: Tobacco Producers
Project or Activity: Tri-County Tobacco Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Float Bed Management, Fertility, GAP Training
Inputs: Specialists, Agents, Publications
Date: February 2022
Audience: Dairy Producers
Project or Activity: Tri-County Dairy Shortcourse
Content or Curriculum: Nutrition, Calf Barns, Dry Cow Management
Inputs: Specialists, Agents, Publications
Date: February-March 2022
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Tri-County Grain Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Persistent Weeds, Technology, Farm Bill, GPS, Ag. Apps
Inputs: Specialists, Agents, Publications
Date: December 2021
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Rye Grain Project
Content or Curriculum: Rye Management for Grain
Inputs: Cooperator, Industry, Agents, Specialist
Date: Crop Year 2022
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Grain Marketing Group
Content or Curriculum: Marketing Strategies
Inputs: Specialists, Agents, Publications, Commodity Challenge
Date: Quarterly throughout the year
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Pasture to Plate
Content or Curriculum: Feeding techniques from weaning to finish, carcass evaluation, consumer preference
Inputs: Specialists, Agents, Publications
Date: Throughout the year
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Taylor County Cattlemen's Association Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Management and Marketing Topics
Inputs: Specialists, Agents, Publications
Date: September 2021- April 2022
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Livestock Handling, Feeding, and Equipment
Inputs: Specialists, Agents
Date: Summer 2021
Author: Kara Back-Campbell
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The opening day of the Taylor County Farmers' Market raised concern for the 2022 season, because of the low turnout of customers. Upon reviewing last year's numbers the next market day was projected to be even lower. The Horticulture agent along with the ANR agent, 4-H agent, and EFNEP assistant worked together to plan, set up, and host the first Spring Festival at the Farmers' Market. The festival consisted of Taylor County Master Gardeners working centers for children to learn how
Author: Patrick Hardesty
Major Program: Grains
Taylor County ranks 35th in the state for grain production. Due to previous successful fungicide trials with drones in Adair, Green and Taylor Counties, two local producers have purchased drones to spray fungicides on their corn crops. Drones have proved to be as effective as a helicopter for fungicide applications. Due to lack of helicopter availability and poor timing has stimulated the purchase of farmer owned drones. By owning drones, producers are better able to time
Author: Patrick Hardesty
Major Program: Beef
With approximately 12,000 beef cows, beef cattle income ranks second in the county. To improve profits and sustainability, beef educational meetings were conducted in cooperation with the Taylor County Cattlemen’s Association.To promote beef in the county, the Association cooked at C & S Mission Store customer appreciation, Taylor County’s first Juneteenth celebration, Murakami employee appreciation, Kentucky Christian School fundraiser, Bluegrass Stockyards customer apprec
Author: Patrick Hardesty
Major Program: Integrated Pest Management
Taylor County ranks 35th in grain production in the state. This past year we combined the grain meeting and commercial pesticide training with approximately 35 participants.Due to problems with slugs and voles, educational sessions were developed to address these issues as well as other grain hot topics such as controlling glyphosate resistant weeds and importance of using pre-emergence herbicides.Commercial applicators also participated in this discussion as well as receiving CEU hours fo
Author: Kimberly Thomas
Major Program: Agriculture
The new Taylor County 4-H Goat Club is less then a year old but is making a big impact. Youth and their families are working hard to learn about the care, management, and showing of their animals, all while creating a community of knowledge. One event that has helped to get the word out about the new Taylor County 4-H Goat Club was by participating in the community’s annual 4th of July Parade. The club decided to create and present a float in this year’s parade. The youth was ab
