Extension
It Starts With Us
Beef and Forage Improvement in Gallatin County
Agriculture Enhancement
Hull
Beef
Forages
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Census of Agriculture data confirms that net farm income in Gallatin County has declined. Partner this with high fuel and fertilizer prices, and you have a recipe for hard times in the farming community. Becoming more efficient in terms of beef and forage production will help producers off-set these circumstances.
As a result of improved beef and forage practices, Gallatin County farms will become more profitable.
Participants beef and forage programs will expand or adopt new practices which will, in time, increase profitability.
Five new farm families will adopt improved beef and forage practices.
Long-Term Outcome: Increased profitability
Indicator: Increase in net farm income
Method: Confidential survey
Timeline: 12 - 18 months
Intermediate Outcome: Adoption of new practices
Indicator: 5 farms will adopt new agricultural practices
Method: Head count
Timeline: Year long
Initial Outcome: Number of farm families taking part in Phase I Program
Indicator: 5 new farm families will benefit from Phase I Program
Method: Head count
Timeline: Year long
Audience: Farm families
Project or Activity: Phase I Tobacco Settlement Program
Content or Curriculum: Phase I Guidelines
Inputs: Extension building and equipment
Date: Summer 2021, Spring 2022
Audience: Farm families
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)
Content or Curriculum: BQA Training materials
Date: Winter 2021
Audience: Beef and forage producers
Project or Activity: Forage Update
Content or Curriculum: Minimizing Forage Losses
Inputs: Extension office and equipment, $ for supplies and materials, cooperating farms, specialist assistance
Date: Fall 2021
Audience: Beef and forage producers
Project or Activity: "Which Block is Best? - Choosing the Right Livestock Mineral Supplement"
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, videos, and PowerPoints
Inputs: $ for supplies, UK specialists
Date: Winter 2021
Author: David Hull
Major Program: Forages
Because of the negative attention that agricultural chemicals so commonly receive, some landowners are hesitant to apply herbicides to pastures and hay fields. In a effort to help these landowners determine whether or not a herbicide applications is warranted, the Gallatin County Extension Service conducted several Twilight Pasture Walk sessions on local farms and other properties in the county. The goals of these pasture walks were three-fold: to identify common pasture weeds; to establish
