Livestock ProductionPlan of Work

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Russell County CES

Title:
Livestock Production
MAP:
Agriculture Production
Agents Involved:
ANR, 4-HYD
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Dairy
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

The Russell County terrain is somewhat rolling; therefore, forages are marketed through livestock. Livestock produced 78% of agriculture income according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture. This is a decline of about 12% from the 2007 Census.  Therefore, quality feed and forages are in short supply and cattle are not feed efficiently because of the structure of breeding/calving seasons and calf weaning. Animals cannot be grouped according to nutritional needs. Farms that have farming systems consisting of livestock and crops are more profitable. Improving feed, forage and reproductive efficiencies leads to more profitability for producers. Breeding programs lean more toward to getting live calves rather than maximizing hybrid vigor or getting more cows settled early in the breeding season. Without efficiency herd reductions will follow.  Also sheep and goat production is on the rise. With more people having small amounts of acreage, and the consumption of sheep and goat products on the rise, this has been a great alternative to large animal production. 

 

Long-Term Outcomes:

 Improved farm economic status, sustainability of farm, reduced Expenses enhanced profit margin  

• Reduced environmental impact  

• Producers save money by making better selection decisions, increased profits of calves  

• Properly match genetics to management and environment, improve herd quality  

• Increased days of grazing, decreased feed costs  

• Producers benefited from increased production and/or quality of milk (Economic) 

• Increased knowledge of dairy production related to: Business management, facilities, herd health, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, herd management, facilities and handling, labor management, current trends, monitoring technology 

• Maintain or improve agriculture operations with small ruminants and/or exotic animals  

•Minimize the environmental impact of agriculture operations Increase profits, reduce expenses, and/or minimize risk  

•Mentor new and beginning farmers 

•Youth engage in entrepreneural agriculture practices 

•Youth advocate for agriculture and healthy, sustainable food systems. 

 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Develop a nutrient management plan  

• Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency  

• Implement a managed grazing system, soil test, renovate pastures by interseeding clover/legumes, use alternative forage species (annuals, warm season perennial), stockpile tall fescue for grazing 

• Implement crossbreeding program Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation 

• Implement a crossbreeding program  

• Develop an ag water quality plan, implement ag water plan  

• Develop streamside buffers to prevent water runoff 

• Examined and implemented Facility changes including: Compost Bedded Pack Barn, cow comfort, Free Stall Management, Heat Stress Management, moving cattle, other facility areas 

• Used diagnostic services to improve soil, the environment, and/or animal health Used Extension information to make decisions about: • Business management • Facilities and handling of flocks/herds • • Developed a marketing plan for meat animals Adopted Extension practices to improve: animal nutrition, genetics and reproduction, quality or quantity of dairy production, parasite treatment program 

•Youth apply skills learned in the production of food and fiber. 

 

Initial Outcomes:

 Increase knowledge of: general herd management health disorders and classifying disease risk, the effects of livestock and environmental interaction, genetics, reproduction, budgeting, record keeping, marketing strategies forage production, growth curves of grasses, factors that impact nutrient quality, managed grazing concepts, body condition scoring, nutrient needs of cattle at various ages and stages of production 

 Increased knowledge of dairy production related to: business management, facilities, herd health, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, herd management, facilities and handling 

 Identify financial options for small farm and beginning agriculture operations Gained knowledge of small ruminants including: animal health, nutrition, breeding / genetics, facilities and handling, environmental impact, business management, marketing  

 Observe and/or locate how to correctly test soil & hay and/or recognize weeds, pests and disease 

•Youth gain knowledge of production of food and fiber and gain understanding of healthy, sustainable food systems. 

•Youth explore career opportunities in agriculture and natural resoruces 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Better overall herd management & handling from cattlemen, sheep, goat, & dairy producers. 

Indicator: Management changes within farm  

Method: Survey participants or on farm visits 

Timeline: Beginning of course, end of course, one year follow-up  

 

Outcome: Participation in the programs increase because of marketing the programs.  

Indicator: Number of applications submitted. 

Method: Application numbers 

Timeline: Yearly 

 

Outcome:  Youth acquire knowledge in selection and care of animals. 

Indicator:  Youth care for animals on the family farm. 

Method:  observation and parent-assessment 

Timeline:  throughout yeare 

 

Outcome:  Youth engage in country ham project. 

Indicator:  successful curing process of hams 

Method:  score sheets from Kentucky State Fair 

Timeline:  completion of project in August 

Learning Opportunities:

  

Main Audience: Beef Producers

Activity: BQCA Training

Content or Curriculum: BQCA Training Materials

Date: As Needed

 

Main Audience: Dairy Producers

Activity: On-Farm Visits

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Date: Summer  

 

Main Audience: Sheep & Goat Producers

Activity: Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Date:  3x year

 

Main Audience: Cattlemen

Activity: Russell County Cattlemen’s Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Date: 6x year

 

 

Main Audience: Producers

Activity: CAIP Trainings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Date: As Needed

 

Main Audience: Committee Members

Activity: Ag Development & CAIP Council Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Date: As Needed

 

Main Audience: Producers

Activity: Livestock Production Field Days

Content or Curriculum: Various Topics

Date: As Needed

 

Audience:  Youth

Activity:   4-H Horse and Livestock Programs

Content:  OSU 4-H horse and livestock kits

Inputs:  volunteer leaders; meeting space

Date:  throughout program year

 

Activity:  4-H Country Ham Project

Content:  Kentucky 4-H ham curing publications

Inputs:  volunteer leaders, ham house

Date:  November-August




Success Stories

Predator Workshop

Author: Jonathan Oakes

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Small Ruminant production has grown by leaps and bounds in the state of Kentucky in the past few years.   Leading the way in this grow, has been sheep production.  Since the rise in small ruminant production, especially sheep production, Russell, Pulaski, and Casey Counties have also seen a huge rise in sheep production.  With this in mind, and the growing number of sheep, and goats, in the Lake Cumberland Area, a workshop was developed with other organizations to bring a workshop

Full Story

Lake Cumberland Forage Series

Author: Jonathan Oakes

Major Program: Forages

Forages are the base for most cattle operations in the Lake Cumberland area.  Forages are the most economical way for most beef farmers to put pounds on calves and increase production on their farming operation.  With the production of forages comes many challenges as well, in the form of weather, fertilizer prices, weeds, and proper establishment and maintenance of forages.During the winter of 2023, Russell, Casey, Pulaski, and McCreary counties held a 4 part forage series that was ai

Full Story
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