Beef and Forage Improvement in Gallatin CountyPlan of Work

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Gallatin County CES

Title:
Beef and Forage Improvement in Gallatin County
MAP:
Agriculture Enhancement
Agents Involved:
Hull
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Situation:

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. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

As a result of improved beef and forage practices, Gallatin County farms will become more profitable.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

Participants beef and forage programs will expand or adopt new practices which will, in time, increase profitability. 


Initial Outcomes:

Five new farm families will adopt improved beef and forage practices. 


Evaluation:
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





Learning Opportunities:

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











Success Stories

Twilight Pasture

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

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