Growing Better Livestock in Breathitt CountyPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Breathitt County CES

Title:
Growing Better Livestock in Breathitt County
MAP:
Livestock & Forages
Agents Involved:
Ty Back
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Forages
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Ag Water Quality Program
Situation:
There are over 40,000 beef cattle producers in Kentucky and over one million head of beef cows. Kentucky is the eighth largest beef state in the U.S. and has the largest herd east of the Mississippi River; Kentucky ranks third for beef cattle density (cows per square mile) in the US. Cash receipts for beef cattle in Kentucky are approaching a billion dollars and may reach that level in 2014 with record high beef prices. Even with high prices 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 and practice good animal welfare. These educational programs are targeted to assist our local Agriculture and Natural Resource agents to provide Kentucky beef producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable
Long-Term Outcomes:
Improved Farm Economic Status; Long term viability; Producers save money, reduce expense and increase profits; Improved herd quality; Reduce environmental impact;
Intermediate Outcomes:
Producers implement practices to control the breeding season; Test forage for nutritional quality; Producers utilize a complete mineral supplement program; Producers implement a crossbreeding program; Producers use temporary fencing; Test soils; Implement a managed grazing system; change vaccination protocols; choose feeds based on ingredients; implement an ag water quality plan; Interseed pastures with clover and legumes into fescue; improve cattle handling practices; Change marketing methods; improve heifer development;
Initial Outcomes:
Producers become certified as a KY Master Cattleman; Increase awareness in reproduction; genetics, nutrition, health, herd management, economics and marketing; Interpret forage analyses, feed and mineral bag tabs and balance rations; Increase rotational grazing; better cattle handling techniques
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome: Producers become more aware of herd management
Indicator: Increased number of producers participating in programs; increase number of farm visits
Method: Compare participation numbers
Timeline: 2017-2020

Intermediate Outcome: Producers begin implementing practices on farm
Indicator: Increase in number of best management practices on farms
Method: Farm visits and demonstrations
Timeline: 2017-2020

Long-term Outcome: Producers gain more profit with less input
Indicator: Producer testimony
Method: Farm Visits and Field Days
Timeline: 2020
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Current Master Cattleman of Breathitt County

Project or Activity: Applied Master Cattleman Program

Content or Curriculum: Lecture & Hands on; various topics

Inputs: UK Beef Specialists; UK Forage Specialists

Date: Spring & Summer of 2016


Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: BQA & Cattle Handling Certification

Content or Curriculum: Video and tests

Inputs: UK Specialists, County Agent, Program Assistant

Date: Winter 2017


Audience: Cattle Producers of Breathitt County

Project or Activity: Forage & Hay Testing & Hay Contest

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications; Live Presentations

Inputs: Farm Visits; Hay Contest Presentation

Date: Fall 2016-2020


Audience: Livestock Producers

Project or Activity: Water Quality Plan

Content or Curriculum: State Water Quality Plan Website

Inputs: Assist producers in completing the required WQP

Date: 2016-2020


Audience: Beef Producers of Breathitt County

Project or Activity: Breeding Management

Content or Curriculum: Farm Visits, Estrous Synchronization

Inputs: Specialists, farm visits, a.i. school

Date: 2016-2020


Audience: Hay Producers of Breathitt County

Project or Activity: East KY Hay School

Content or Curriculum: 4 Night Hay School

Inputs: Specialists, Farm Visits

Date: Fall 2017

Back to Plans for the County