3. Building Beef and Forage ProductionPlan of Work

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Morgan County CES

Title:
3. Building Beef and Forage Production
MAP:
Seeding Growth for Morgan County Family Farms & Agricultural Heritage
Agents Involved:
ANR
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Hay testing
Situation:

Situation:Since the demise of tobacco, beef production is the backbone of Morgan County’s agricultural economy. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, cash receipts from cattle sales totaled over 2.8 million dollars in Morgan County. There is approximately 10,000 head of beef cattle. Regardless of cattle prices – but especially in tough economic times, it is important to educate beef producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land, reduce antibiotic use, and practice good animal welfare. In order to keep our family farms healthy in Morgan County, Extension must provide new and old producers alike with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable......AND It takes good hay and pasture to grow good livestock. Morgan County agricultural economy depends heavily on forages with 15,345 acres in hay production and 21,400 acres as pasture. Hay sales accounted for $1.4 million in the local ag economy. According to UK Forage Extension specialists, KY farmers are only utilizing about one third of the forages they are producing. Much of the forage consumed by our livestock is too low quality to meet expected performance requirements. There is a disconnect between management strategies that enhance forage productivity, utilization and persistence along with efforts to optimize animal performance.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes: * Improved Herd Quality *Greater Long Term Viability * Increased profits of calves * Properly matched genetics *Less dependence on mainstream market *Improved farm economic status  *Enhanced profit margins *Managed grazing

Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes: *Nutrient management plan * Controlled breeding season *Managed grazing system *Utilize Body Condition Scoring System for nutrition management *Make EPD and selection decisions

Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcomes: *Awareness of forage variety trial information
*Understand best management practices for hay production *Enhanced
knowledge of grazing management systems *Awareness of forage harvest,
storage and feeding management to reduce losses *Understanding pasture
renovation and forage establishment practices

Initial Outcomes: Increased knowledge of: *general herd management including herd health, forages, breeding, marketing, environmental impacts, and nutrition.


Evaluation:

Evaluation
Outcome: Improved Herd Health Quality

Indicator: less death loss and dollars spent on health recovery

Method: producer survey

Timeline: June, 2023

Outcome: Managed Grazing System

Indicator: extended number of days on pasture

Method: producer survey

Timeline: June, 2022

Outcome: Increased knowledge of beef basics

Indicator: number of new practices adopted

Method: producer survey

Timeline: June 2021

Outcome: Producers will have knowledge and skills needed to evaluate their operations

Indicator: # of farmers reporting planned changes as result of educational activities

Method: agent survey

Timeline: June, 202

Outcome: Producers will utilize proven principles.

Indicator: Improved quality and quantity of hay, increased numbers of farmers utilizing fertility management practices.

Method: Previous hay and soil test results compared to current ones 

Timeline: Nov, 2021 & Nov, 2022

Outcome: Livestock and forage farms will see increased income by improving existing operations or adding new enterprises.

Indicator: # of farms reporting new profit as a result of practice change 

Method: pre & post survey

Timeline: Nov, 2021 & Nov, 2022

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: new and experienced beef producers 

Audience:  New or experienced beef producers

Project or Activity: Back to the Basics for Beef Production, monthly beef update webinars 

Content or Curriculum: BQCA, KBN, CAIP Educational Programs 

Inputs: BQCA materials, Extension Specialists, local vets, Off the Hoof, Beef IRM calendars, ANR Agent 

Date: Summer and Fall, 2021 

Audience: beef producers 

Project or Activity: Complete Regional Master Cattlemen & Advanced Master Cattlemen Series 

Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen 

Inputs: Extension Specialists, MC curriculum, ANR Agent 

Date: 4th Tuesday topics, Summer and Fall 2021

Audience: beef producers 

Project or Activity: Bull Soundness Exams & Herd Health Day, continue cattle pregnancy checks promotion 

Content or Curriculum: Master Cattlemen 

Inputs: Extension Specialists, local vets, ANR agent 

Date: March, 2021 

Audience: livestock & hay producers 

Project or Activity: Mountain Master Forager 

Content or Curriculum: Master Hay Maker & Master Grazer 

Inputs: Extension farm, specialists , ANR agent

Date: Winter 2022 

Audience: beef and hay producers 

Project or Activity: Mountain Cattlemen’s Association/East Ky Hay Contest 

Content or Curriculum: various topics 

Inputs: specialist, KCA 

Date: quarterly meetings, Fall 2021 

Audience: hay producers 

Project or Activity: use of Extension farm, county equipment use, hay Contest, native grass demo plots Content or Curriculum: no til planter, hay wrapper demos 

Inputs: Extension equipment, CAIP program, ANR agent hay sampling 

Date: ongoing, Fall, 2021



Success Stories

Morgan County Farmers Utilize Extension Services as Costs Skyrocket

Author: Sarah Fannin

Major Program: Beef

Beef and forage production remains the backbone of the agricultural economy in Morgan County.  Supply chain issues and inputs costs for both of these enterprises have increased drastically. From seed and fertilizer selection to machinery repair and feed purchases, all tools are needed to make the best economic choices for the farm.More farmers are using decision making tools offered by Ag Extension including soil testing, hay testing, forage planning, bull soundness exams and weed control r

Full Story

“Making Connections” - New Farmers Utilizing Morgan County Extension Resources

Author: Sarah Fannin

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Morgan County is one of the few counties in Eastern Kentucky that is experiencing population growth.  This trend reversal is due to the in-migration of new landowners and farmers from the western and northern United States.  Enabled by internet property listings, many new owners are purchasing farms sight unseen and often with little to no experience in agriculture.  Armed with enthusiasm for their new venture, many of them are reaching out to the Extension office for education an

Full Story
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