Extension
It Starts With Us
Improved Management Practices, Animal Science, Grain & Forage Crops
Sustainable Agriculture
Mills, Reed
Beef
Forages
Grain Crops
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
With the decline in available land for farming and steep increases in production costs, farmers in the county need to become more efficient producers. Adding value to the existing commodities grown or adding value to the existing operation by diversifying is a major means of increasing net farm profit. Extension clientele realize new sources of farm income need to be explored because of their decreased revenues due to tobacco quota cuts and the drastic increase in input costs.
Due to urbanization and consumers’ demands, farmers need to be more conscientious of their practices. This along with environmental concerns have also created a necessity for the average home owner to be more diligent in how he/she manage his/her lawn and garden
Kentucky Ag Stats show that Meade County ranks in the top third in production of commodities and livestock. However, income generated falls to a much lower ranking. This indicates that optimizing farming practices by improving management skills is needed to improve net profits.
Kentucky Ag Stats has shown a decline in the number of farms in the county. However, in the past 10 years that has been an increase in gross sales of grain and livestock. The trend has been and should continue to be more efficient with productions which should lead to higher profits.
While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth.
Meade County Farmers will increase profits from grain, beef cattle, and/or horticulture.
Maximize profits for commercial ag producer
Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
Improve sustainability of intensively managed crop production systems
Significant percentage of producers implementing IPM practices
Increase positive opinion of GMO/Conventional production of non-farm individuals
Reduction of crop injury due to pesticide application
Improved farm economic status
Sustainability of farm
Long term viability
Producers save money by making better selection decisions.
Reduce expenses
Improved herd quality
Increased profits of operation
Improved farm economic status
Sustainability of farm
Long term viability
Producers save money by making informed selection decisions
Reduce expenses
Improved herd quality
Increased profits of calves
Long term viability
Producers save money by making informed selection decisions
Incorporate multiple strategies when pricing cattle or dealing directly with buyers outside the mainstream market.
Evaluate profitability of multiple programs concerning feeder cattle type, gender, and weight, when making purchasing decisions.
Utilize the futures and options market to limit downside market risk.
Improved public animal handling image
Improved animal welfare
Improved marketing opportunities
Sell value-added heifers
Improved herd genetic management
Improved profitability and efficiency
Build the reputation and value of KY cattle
Improved end product quality and food safety
Enhanced consumer confidence
Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Producers will use county wide variety trials as a tool in making variety selections for their grain crops.
Producers will use more artificial insemination as part of their breeding program in their beef herds.
Landowners will soil test and learn the correct crop for the topography, soil type, as well as the wildlife.
More food producers will learn to grow, harvest, and market fruits and vegetables.
Increase producers awareness of animal welfare.
Successfully complete livestock PAT and training workers in worker protection standards (WPS)
Use diagnostic services to identify insects, livestock diseases
Use diagnostic, agent, specialist, veterinarians, UK VDL recommendations
Compare chemical options based on time, availability, cost, companion tactics
Designing effective administration schedules
Evaluate chemical storage, handling, and disposal
Adopt one or more storage, handling, disposal recommendations
Adopt recommended administration techniques
Record chemical use, frequency, timing
Posting signage for recently applied chemicals
Selecting materials based on REI, PHI, pre-slaughter intervals, milk and meat withdrawals, honey
Beekeepers communicate with neighboring pesticide applicators
Adopt usage of new technology for crop production
Maximize awareness of GMO/Organic Production
Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease and weeds
Adopt one or more fertility management recommendations
Implementation of on-farm trials
Implement practices to control the breeding season and enhance production efficiency
Test forage for nutritional quality
Utilize a complete mineral supplement program
Implement crossbreeding program
Make EPD and selection decisions
Implement practices to perform examinations of pelvic areas, reproductive tract scores, AI, pregnancy diagnosis, and/or animal evaluation
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Producers will make variety selections based on county trial results.
Producers will increase the total pounds of feeder calves weaned and sold.
Wildlife conservationists will follow recommendations for fertilizer and lime as well as crop selection to ensure success in establishment and optimum yield of wildlife food plot.
Producers will attend meetings and trainings for fruit and vegetable production and marketing and then apply what they have learned.
Demonstrate proper use of pesticides and antibiotics
Demonstrate proper use of sprayers and equipment calibration
Identify active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action
Read and comprehend directions for applying chemicals (timing, application conditions)
Name 2 or more companion tactics to be used alongside chemical approaches (incl. manure mgmt.)
Observe proper chemical handling, storage, and cleanup in home, farm, or business
Chemical selection, mixing, compatibility
Understanding IPM (triggers, thresholds, etc.)
Awareness of concern due to antibiotic resistance in livestock chemicals
Proper identification of livestock diseases
Increase homeowner/general public awareness of safe livestock medication procedures (pets?)Producers will make variety selections based on county trial results.
Producers will increase the total pounds of feeder calves weaned and sold.
Wildlife conservationists will follow recommendations for fertilizer and lime as well as crop selection to ensure success in establishment and optimum yield of wildlife food plot.
Producers will attend meetings and trainings for fruit and vegetable production and marketing and then apply what they have learned.
Awareness of current land grant research concerning grain crop production
Identification of IPM practices for grain crops production
Increase understanding of production regulations
Understanding BioTech traits
Understanding importance of and frame work of on-farm trials
Understanding of Organic vs Conventional crop production
Increase non-farm public understanding of BioTechnology/Organic/ Conventional grains crop production
Identify active ingredients in crop related ag products
Identify herbicide resistant pests and strategies to overcome these pests
Analyze and evaluate cattleman practices
Increased in-depth knowledge or new information related to:
-reproduction
-genetics
-nutrition
-health
-end product
-general herd management
-economics and marketing
Describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being.
Gain knowledge on genetic factors associated with cattle welfare.
Understand body condition scoring and how to manage nutrition for a healthy, reproductive animal.
Acquire knowledge about heifer development
Acquire knowledge about proper bull selection, breeding soundness exams and production requirements based on Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs).
Acquire knowledge on crossbreeding programs.
Gain knowledge of best management practices to reduce end product defects by learning about:
-proper injection techniques and locations
-proper recordkeeping to ensure adequate withdrawal time
-proper handling techniques
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, recordkeeping, leadership and service.
Long-Term Outcome: Meade County Farmers will increase profits from grain and beef cattle.
Indicator: Agricultural statistical farm income numbers
Method: monitoring ag stats, survey
Timeline: May 2016 - February 2017
Intermediate Outcome: * Producers will use county wide variety trials as a tool in making variety selections for their grain crops.
* Producers will use more artificial insemination as part of their breeding program in their beef herds.
Indicator: Feedback from published collected data, Seed and Semen dealers and sales representatives’ reports.
Method: Farm visits, producer questions, and number of inquiries on results
Timeline: May 2016 - February 2020
Initial Outcome: * Producers will make variety selections based on county trial results.
* Producers will increase the total pounds of feeder calves weaned and sold.
Indicator: Seed Dealers sales, weaning weight projects results and comparison
Method: Seed dealer visits, weighing calves
Timeline: November 2016 - November 2020
Intermediate Outcome: More food producers will learn to grow, harvest, and market fruits and vegetables.
Indicator: number of people attending horticulture meetings.
Method:
Timeline: May 2016 - February 2020
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will demonstrate a skill learned through a 4-H ANR project or program.
Indicator: Total number of youth who reflect on a skill that was learned and improved by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity.
Method: 4-H Animal Project Record Book
Timeline: Throughout program year
Intermediate Outcome: You will keep accurate records, performance or financial, on their 4-H animal science project.
Indicator: The number of youth that keep production, performance or financial records on their 4-H animal science projects.
Method: 4-H Animal Project Record Book
Timeline: Throughout program year
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will set a goal and accomplish it
Indicator: Total number of youth who report setting a goal and accomplishing it.
Method: Evaluation
Timeline: Throughout program year
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will demonstrate an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food and fiber.
Indicator: Total number of youth who reflect on their understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food and fiber.
Method: Evaluation
Timeline: Throughout program year
Audience: Grain Farmers and Seed Dealers
Project or Activity: County Wide grain variety trial plots
Content or Curriculum: test plot guidelines, data collection and published results
Inputs: collaboration with seed dealers, farm machinery, producers cooperation with time, machinery, and land, seed donations, weigh wagon.
Date: April - December
Audience: Grain and Beef Producers, Agribusinesses
Project or Activity: Ag Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Data collection and results
Inputs: collaboration with Conservation District, Agribusinesses, Meade County Young Farmers, Meade County Cattlemen's Association, Meade County Homemakers, Lincoln trail Antique Tractor Club, University of KY Extension Specialists, farm machinery, producers cooperation with time, machinery, and land, seed donations.
Date: August 2017
Audience: Grain and Beef Producers, Agribusinesses
Project or Activity: Winter meetings
Content or Curriculum: Data collection and results
Inputs: University of KY Extension Specialists, Published trials and test plot results.
Date: November - March
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Animal Science Clubs (Beef, Swine, Goat, Sheep, Horse, Rabbit, Poultry, Country Ham)
Content or Curriculum: Approved 4-H curriculum for animal science projects and KY Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Manuals and Kits, Livestock Discovery CD, Meats & Livestock Materials & Handouts CD
Inputs: 4-H Livestock/Horse Certified Volunteers, parents, extension staff, extension specialist, local animal science supporters
Date: Monthly, September - June
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology Program
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Chick Embryology Curriculum
Inputs: school personnel, extension agents, local volunteers
Date: Fall 2017 & Spring 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H After School Agriculture Programs/Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 & 2
Inputs: school personnel, FRYSC Coordinators, extension agents, local volunteers
Date: September - May
Audience: Beef Producers
Project or Activity: Demonstration Farm
Content or Curriculum: Beef IRM Plan
Inputs: Beef Producers, Volunteers, UK Beef Specialists, Meade County Cattleman's Assoc.
Date: Winter 2016-2020
Audience: Beef Producers/Agribusiness dealers/Community leaders
Project or Activity: Beef and Forage Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Field Plots and Trials
Inputs: UK Beef Specialists, ANR agent, local beef producers
Date: Winter 2016-2018
Author: Andy Mills
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
The purpose of the Meade County Ag Field Day is to educate farmers and landowners on improved agricultural practices that are economical and safe to man as well as the environment. Mead County has a tradition of holding a field day on a local farm and producers expect the Extension Office to implement it. For many years now the Meade County Extension Office collaborates with the Meade County Conservation District and the Natural Resource and Conservation Service to plan and host an Ag Fiel
Author: Andy Mills
Major Program: Beef
Over the last few years the youth market beef project has been in decline in numbers of youth participating. One reason for this decline is the trend in which the project has gone to where it is more of a competition than a learning experience. Competition is healthy. However, it seems some parents tend to want their child to win at any expense. Therefore, families that can afford it tend to scour the U.S. to find the "best" show animal at no matter the price tag. This goes against the
Author: Andy Mills
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
As our world is ever changing we try to change with it. This filters down to even our simple backyard garden. In order to get more youth involved in agriculture and growing their own vegetables, the Great Pumpkin Pursuit committee decided to try to stimulate interest in a grafting project. This ANR agent collaborated with the local ag teachers and did a two day course at the high school on grafting watermelons. The first session was in the classroom explaining and teaching why grafting is used.
