Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock and Crops
Agriculture
Jeffiers
Beef
Poultry/Small Flocks
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Forages
According to the USDA NASS, cattle production remains a major player, with roughly 2,000 head in the county. NASS data shows hay yields of roughly 2 tons/acre per year, showing underutilization of forage potential. The number of farms has increased but the average size has declined by 21%. Net cash farm income was down 48% as of the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Backyard poultry production for eggs is becoming very popular, both for family use and for retail sale. A significant number of goats are also in production. Hemp production has failed to gain significant traction in the county.
Farmers have production records for herds and flocks.
Livestock revenues are maximized.
Nonproductive animals are culled.
Forage productivity is maximized.
Farm assets transition to the next generation without undue financial loss.
Alternative crops are profitable
Farmers implement recordkeeping systems through apps or computer software to track animal ages, weights, and genetics.
Producers sell livestock at ideal weights, ages, and times of year.
Infertile bulls and cows are identified through appropriate tests.
A variety of forage types are harvested and grazed at appropriate stages with adequate fertilization and good storage of baled feedstuffs.
Farm owners establish trusts, transfer property, and otherwise work to secure their assets against inheritance taxes and Medicare forfeiture.
Farmers cultivate new crop options such as hemp.
Farmers understand recordkeeping options available to them and why the records can be helpful.
Farmers understand natural market cycles and desired characteristics of sale animals.
Farmers understand the financial impact of nonproductive animals and know how to identify them.
Farmers understand the different forage, concentrate, and supplement options available and know which ones are ideal for their operations.
Farmers understand the legal ramifications of failing to establish a will, trust, or another mechanism for protecting assets after their death.
Farmers understand the legal environment of hemp production and how to produce and market the crop.
Outcome: Farmers understand recordkeeping options available to them and why the records can be helpful.
Indicator: Number of farmers reporting adding use of an app
Method: Producer survey
Timeline: Annual
Outcome: Farmers understand natural market cycles and desired characteristics of sale animals.
Indicator: Number of farmers reporting changes in marketing plans.
Method: Producer survey
Timeline: Annual
Outcome: Farmers understand the financial impact of nonproductive animals and know how to identify them.
Indicator: Number of farmers utilizing preg checks and bull soundness exams
Method: Producer survey
Timeline: Annual
Outcome: Farmers understand the different forage, concentrate, and supplement options available and know which ones are ideal for their operations.
Indicator: Number of farmers reporting use of new feedstuffs
Method: Producer survey
Timeline: Annual
Outcome: Farmers understand the legal ramifications of failing to establish a will, trust, or other mechanism for protecting assets after their death.
Indicator: Number of farm owners creating a will or trust
Method: Producer survey
Timeline: Annual
Outcome: Farmers understand the legal, marketing, and production aspects of growing hemp.
Indicator: Farmers who successfully market hemp for CBD or other uses.
Method: KDA data, producer survey
Timeline: Annual
Audience: Farm owners
Project or Activity: Property owners (especially farms)
Content or Curriculum: Estate planning workshop Inputs: Local attorneys, UK FCS specialists
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Beef producers
Project or Activity: Reproductive management
Content or Curriculum: Bull testing & heifer pregnancy checks
Inputs: Local veterinarian, Morehead State vet science students, farm facilities
Date: Annually
Audience: Forage producers
Project or Activity: Test plots, demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: UK research
Inputs: Local farms, county staff, UK specialists
Date: Annually
Audience: Livestock producers
Project or Activity: Hay testing
Content or Curriculum: Forage analysis through KDA
Inputs: Agent & assistant sampling times
Date: Fall each year
Audience: Cattle producers
Project or Activity: Recordkeeping training
Content or Curriculum: UK livestock app
Inputs: UK specialists, county staff, local producers
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Cattle & goat producers
Project or Activity: Nutrition education
Content or Curriculum: UK research on concentrates, supplements
Inputs: UK data
Date: Annually
Audience: Forage producers
Project or Activity: Summer annual demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: UK forage handling techniques
Inputs: Local farm cooperators, UK specialists, county staff
Date: Annually each summer
Audience: Hemp producers & interested individuals
Project or Activity: Management workshops
Content or Curriculum: UK & KDA information on regulation & licensure
Inputs: UK staff, KDA personnel, county staff
Date: Annually or as required by evolving legal issues
Audience: Hemp producers
Project or Activity: Production education
Content or Curriculum: UK research
Inputs: Farm cooperators, UK staff, county staff
Date: Annually
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: Agriculture
The Johnson County Extension Council and the 4-H Program Council identified Agriculture knowledge and practice for youth as a program priority for the Plan of Work. To address this need, once it was determined youth were interested in participating, the 4-H Agent began the search for a Livestock club leader. Once the leader was identified and passed the volunteer screening, the leader attended a certified volunteer training. The Livestock club program began in 2021. In this 2 year time frame, th
Author: Brian Jeffiers
Major Program: Forages
With over a quarter century serving forage producers in eastern Kentucky, the East Kentucky Hay Contest continues to turn new ground for Johnson County farmers. This year's sampling included three farmers who had never previously had forage testing done. This step alone is critical to helping them determine nutritional needs for their livestock, but the livestock are the second new area where the contest has been successful. One of the new producers raises hogs, one pleasure horses, and the
Author: Dianna Reed
Major Program: Agriculture
The Johnson County Extension Council and the 4-H Program Council identified Agriculture knowledge and practice for youth as a program priority for the Plan of Work. To address this need, the 4-H Agent offered Classroom Poultry Incubation programming. Over 130 youth have learned the parts of an egg and built their own egg candling boxes, candled eggs to check for embryo development, learned how to use an incubator, understand what is required to raise chickens, and that poultry are utilized for a
Author: Brian Jeffiers
Major Program: Forages
A Johnson County farmer reached out to Extension in fall 2022 needing help with johnsongrass in his hayfield. After consulting with two forage specialists, the ANR agent determined that the field was a good candidate for Roundup-ready alfalfa. This would allow the farmer to simultaneously generate high-quality forage while creating a herbicide treatment option for suppressing the noxious johnsongrass infestation. After completing soil testing and fertilization, the farmer seeded the alfalfa in s
