Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop production, Livestock production, & Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable & Profitable Crop & Livestock Production
Schalk, Tarry
Beef
Chemical Management
Grains
Agriculture
Barren County has traditionally led the region in diverse agriculture production. Producers utilizing these practices help to enhance their profitability & promote sustainability. Forages, grain crops, & tobacco continue to be in place on many Barren County farms. Dairy, beef, poultry, small ruminants, and horses are staples in many operations. Producers continue to be charged with producing commodities in an environmental sustainable manner.
-Diversify operations to meet the changing ag products needs
-Efficient use of crop protectants
-Increased producer profits in ag enterprises
-Increase overall efficiency in livestock, grain & forage operations
-Supply new/beginning farmers with skill set to manage farming enterprises
-Implement the use of decision making tools for crop & livestock production
-Convert used/unleased grain crop land back to improved permanent pasture/hay ground
-Maintain high standards and husbandry practices for beef and small ruminant operations
-Increase awareness of manure management and water quality improvement
-Develop unique marketing options for producers
-Equip producers to reduce risk and get a handle on cost of production
-Develop necessary skill sets
-Provide programs to improve soil health and sustainability
-Realize diversification within livestock enterprises
Long-term Outcome: Evaluate increased number of producers shown to utilize improved management practices in their crop production
Indicator: Note the number of producers utilizing product usage and purchasing habits in their farm management practices
Method: Surveys, farm visits, evaluations
Timeline: July-June
Intermediate Outcome: : Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing hay through tri county hay auction
Indicator: type, quality & price per unit
Method: Survey local farmers who are selling in sale
Timeline: Seasonal, by crop
Initial Outcome: Evaluate changes in grain producers risk management plans
Indicator: Note changes in grain crops producers who attended programming
Method: Farm visits, 1 on 1 interviews, survey
Timeline: after harvest season
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: Tobacco Producers
Project or Activity: Tobacco GAP
Content or Curriculum: UK CAFÉ & GAP Connections
Inputs: GAP materials, specialist(s), GAP connections, US Dept of Labor
Date: Spring
Audience: Crop Producers
Project or Activity: Chemical Management Training
Content or Curriculum: Private Pesticide Training, Specialists
Inputs: UK Specialists, videos, field days
Date: Winter and early Spring
Audience: Animal Commodity Groups
Project or Activity: Monthly meetings
Content or Curriculum: forages, nutrition, health, marketing, management
Inputs: CAFÉ resources, UK & KSU specialists, SRPS
Date: July through June
Audience: Producers & Citizens Interested in Agriculture
Project or Activity: Get the Scoop radio show on WGGC
Content or Curriculum: Timely topics on production, safety, & new technology.
Inputs: Agents, CAFÉ resources, & UK specialists
Date: July through June
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Producing profitable forage
Content or Curriculum: Forage best management practices
Inputs: Agents, UK specialists
Date: Fall and Winter
Audience: 4-H Youth Interested in Agriculture
Project or Activity: 4-H projects in horses, dairy, livestock, natural resources, & plant & soil sciences
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum & National 4-H project curriculum
Inputs: CAFÉ resources, UK specialists, 4-H specialists
Date: July through June
Author: Christopher Schalk
Major Program: Forages
Agriculture agents of Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties (W8) joined forces to present a hands on program concerning forage just ahead of winter feeding. The skyrocketing cost of inputs, coupled with very poor growing conditions prompted W8 Agents to develop a hands on forage program. The program was hosted by the Metcalfe Co Cooperative Extension Service at the Metcalfe Co Farmer’s Market facility. Producers participated in mini sessions on optimal har
Author: Christopher Schalk
Major Program: Grains
Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties have traditionally been some, if not, Kentucky’s largest burley tobacco producing counties. However over the past 15 years the amount of tobacco grown has rapidly decreased. Traditional burley farmers have switched to the production of grain, specially corn, wheat, and soybeans. Agriculture agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe counties (W8) joined efforts to provide an educational program for produce
Author: Christopher Schalk
Major Program: Forages
Tri-County Hay & Straw Auction started as only Metcalfe, Monroe & Barren Counties. Today the cooperating counties are Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe, & Monroe. The anticipated annual event is something both buyers and sellers of hay and straw have come to depend on. Seemingly each year presents undesirable weather conditions that brings about a forage supply shortage for some producers. The auction system of selling hay allows the supply and demand to accurate
