Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock and the Environment
Agriculture and Environment
Tad Campbell, 4-H Agent
Beef
Swine
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Agriculture
With the uncertainty of tobacco production and continued grain price drops over the last year, more of Mason County fields are seeing an increase of forage conversions. Producers are returning to livestock production to generate farm income, primarily beef cattle. Mason County has traditionally been views as a tobacco and cattle county and now with other commodities returning to normal pricing structure, cattle numbers are increasing for the county. Other types of livestock such as sheep/goats and hogs also seem to be slightly increasing. Youth livestock interest has been a part of the increasing numbers of livestock. Continuing to educate youth about livestock production is vital for sustainability of the industry. The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.
- Local producers working with the IRM project increase quality genetics, narrow calving seasons, and have uniform grouped calves increasing profits for the operations.
- Producers and youth see increased profits to livestock operations and projects.
- Producers and youth utilize controlled grazing systems, narrow calving windows, higher health management systems, and improving genetics to develop a profitable livestock operation.
- Youth involvement in 4-H/FFA show projects develops interest to see youth begin building livestock operations in the county for sustained livestock production.
- Producers market more animals to individuals directly for consumption due to the aftermath of the pandemic meat supply scare.
- Youth will be agriculturally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
- Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
- Producers utilize tools such as EPDs, breeding soundness exams, nutritional plans, hay testing, or other management tools to increase the efficiency of livestock operations.
- Producers and youth select genetics based on production needs and increase herd health management.
- Producers look for more marketing methods to add value to current livestock operation.
- Producers select replacements using UK/KDA heifer replacement guidelines to reduce risk of calving problems.
- Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Producers learn methods for controlled grazing through improving forage quality and varieties and gain knowledge to develop rotational grazing layouts.
- Producers learn to use genetic information to increase livestock quality for farm operation.
- Youth learn about livestock production through skillathon, judging programs, and the certified livestock program.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
- Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
Initial Outcome: Producers learn methods for controlled grazing through improving forage quality and varieties and gain knowledge to develop rotational grazing layouts.
Indicator: Producers demonstrate learned methods
Method: post evaluations
Timeline: immediately after programs
Intermediate Outcome: Young farmers that have participated in youth livestock activities begin to build livestock operations locally.
Indicator: Increased number of Young Farmer livestock operations
Method: testimony
Timeline: Fall/Winter
Long-term Outcome: Producers and youth utilize controlled grazing systems, narrow calving windows, higher health management systems, and improving genetics to develop a profitable livestock operation.
Indicator: Higher number of producers and youth utilizing these methods
Method: Follow up evaluations
Timeline: bi annually
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Grading/Market Outlook
Content or Curriculum: Evaluate feeder calves for grading and cows for body condition scores
Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists, Stockyard Representative
Date: Winter/spring
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance and Care
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist State Certification
Inputs: ANR Agent, producers, UK Beef Team
Date: Spring/Fall
Audience: Female Farm Owners/Operators
Project or Activity: Farm School for Women
Content or Curriculum: UK research based information
Inputs: Buffalo Trace ANR Agents, UK specialists
Date: Annually every fall/winter
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Beef IRM Project
Content or Curriculum: Farm plans developed by IRM team for local farms
Inputs: ANR Agent, IRM team
Date: Annually every winter/spring
Audience: Local Farmers
Project or Activity: Elite Heifer Project/Sale
Content or Curriculum: Heifers developed to state guidelines KDA/UK
Inputs: ANR Agent, producers
Date: Fall
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Program
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People; Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit; Beef Resource Handbook; Beef Project and Record Book; Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation; Dairy Cow Project and Record Book; Dairy Heifer Project and Record Book; Dairy Resource Handbook; 4-H Dairy Cattle 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dairy Judging Resources; Goat Project and Record Book; Goat Resource Book; Sheep Resource Handbook; Market Lamb Project and Record Book; Sheep Breeding Project and Record Book; Swine Resource Handbook; Market Hog Project and Record Book; Swine Breeding Project and Record Book
Inputs: 4-H Agent, certified livestock leaders, youth, parents UK specialists, community partners/presenters
Date: Monthly
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Program
Content or Curriculum: Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video
Inputs: 4-H Agent, certified livestock leader, youth, parents, UK specialists
Date: Monthly from January through August
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Program
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Project Horse Record Book; Horse Achievement Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4; Horse Safety Guidelines; Horse Smarts: Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide; Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Kit
Inputs: 4-H Agent, certified horse leader, youth, parents, UK specialists, community partners/presenters
Date: Monthly from September through April
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Agriculture
With the continuation of COVID across the state, the Mason County Livestock Improvement Association (LIA) was dedicated to continue to host the area youth livestock show and auction. In 2020, COVID prevented the association from holding the show and auction in the traditional structure, however, the show was held on a cooperating farm without an auction. For 2021, the group was determined to try to operate the show with an auction as tradition with the event. Working with the
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
With the continued global pandemic agriculture is seeing higher input costs for production. State cost-share programs are allowing local producers to continue to operate during the times of higher production costs. The local Agriculture Development Council met and appropriated over $243,000 to the County Agriculture Investment Program to fund 77 producers in Mason County. The funds will be utilized on operations to purchase improved forages, increase herds, agriculture diversif
Author: Trever Cole
Major Program: Agriculture
On March 9th and May 7th I held county wide tag-ins for livestock projects for both 4-H and FFA. This provided an area for all exhibitors to have their animals tagged and DNA collected.
