Livestock and the EnvironmentPlan of Work

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Mason County CES

Title:
Livestock and the Environment
MAP:
Agriculture and Environment
Agents Involved:
Tad Campbell, Trever Cole
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Swine
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

With the uncertainty of tobacco production and continued grain price drops over the last year, more of Mason County fields are seeing an increase of forage conversions. Producers are returning to livestock production to generate farm income, primarily beef cattle. Mason County has traditionally been views as a tobacco and cattle county and now with other commodities returning to normal pricing structure, cattle numbers are increasing for the county. Other types of livestock such as sheep/goats and hogs also seem to be slightly increasing. Youth livestock interest has been a part of the increasing numbers of livestock. Continuing to educate youth about livestock production is vital for sustainability of the industry. The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Producers learn methods for controlled grazing through improving forage quality and varieties and gain knowledge to develop rotational grazing layouts.

Indicator: Producers demonstrate learned methods

Method: post evaluations

Timeline: immediately after programs


Intermediate Outcome: Young farmers that have participated in youth livestock activities begin to build livestock operations locally.

Indicator: Increased number of Young Farmer livestock operations

Method: testimony

Timeline: Fall/Winter


Long-term Outcome: Producers and youth utilize controlled grazing systems, narrow calving windows, higher health management systems, and improving genetics to develop a profitable livestock operation.

Indicator: Higher number of producers and youth utilizing these methods

Method: Follow up evaluations

Timeline: bi annually

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Livestock Producers 

Project or Activity: Beef 101

Content or Curriculum: Beef team preparing video segments to make/tailor local programing efforts

Inputs: ANR Agent, UK specialists, 

Date: Winter


Audience: Cattle Producers 

Project or Activity: Beef Quality Assurance and Care

Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist State Certification

Inputs: ANR Agent, producers, UK Beef Team 

Date: Spring/Fall 


Audience: Female Farm Owners/Operators 

Project or Activity: Farm School for Women 

Content or Curriculum: UK research based information 

Inputs: Buffalo Trace ANR Agents, UK specialists 

Date: Annually every fall/winter


Audience: Livestock Producers 

Project or Activity: Cattle Grading

Content or Curriculum: live grade comparison on site

Inputs: ANR Agent, Stockyard Rep

Date: Winter


Audience: Local Farmers 

Project or Activity: Elite Heifer Project/Sale 

Content or Curriculum: Heifers developed to state guidelines KDA/UK

Inputs: ANR Agent, producers

Date: Fall


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Program 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People; Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit; Beef Resource Handbook; Beef Project and Record Book; Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation; Dairy Cow Project and Record Book; Dairy Heifer Project and Record Book; Dairy Resource Handbook; 4-H Dairy Cattle 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dairy Judging Resources; Goat Project and Record Book; Goat Resource Book; Sheep Resource Handbook; Market Lamb Project and Record Book; Sheep Breeding Project and Record Book; Swine Resource Handbook; Market Hog Project and Record Book; Swine Breeding Project and Record Book  

Inputs: 4-H Agent, certified livestock leaders, youth, parents UK specialists, community partners/presenters 

Date: Monthly 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Program 

Content or Curriculum: Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video  

Inputs: 4-H Agent, certified livestock leader, youth, parents, UK specialists  

Date:  Monthly from January through August 


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Program 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Project Horse Record Book; Horse Achievement Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4; Horse Safety Guidelines; Horse Smarts: Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide; Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Kit 

Inputs: 4-H Agent, certified horse leader, youth, parents, UK specialists, community partners/presenters 

Date: Monthly from September through April



Success Stories

Farm School for Women

Author: Tad Campbell

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

The Buffalo Trace Area Agriculture/Natural Resources Agents and Horticulture Agent offer an annual program for women in agriculture.  The program is only open to women with interest in the field of agriculture.    The program is designed to offer production and management techniques to be more efficient with the farm operation.   Thirty women attended sessions offered during the program.   Small fruit production, lawn management, Body Condition scoring/vaccines/ manure a

Full Story

Bird Houses

Author: Trever Cole

Major Program: Natural Resources

On April 4th I had 7 participants in my bird house class. For the class all 7 participants built box style birdhouses and finished them with paint or wood stain. From this participants learned how to sand, drill, and fasten boards to create there birdhouses as well designed their roof attachments to best suit where they planned to place there birdhouses (on a fence post, suspended, nailed to a post or tree, etc.) many participants also plan to enter their projects in the County Rally day with ho

Full Story

Impacting Operations with Tobacco Settlement Funds

Author: Tad Campbell

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

Tobacco cost-share programs have made significant positive impacts in the county.  Improved local infrastructure with fence, water, and facilities have allowed producers to operate more efficiently while in some cases providing safety to animals and local citizens.  Beef cattle have seen improved quality over the years with the genetics program; stockyard professionals stated it was evident what the program has done for cattle over the years. Mason County acquired a new program adminis

Full Story

Water Conservation Field Day

Author: Tad Campbell

Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

Conserving water resources is a growing attribute to livestock farms in the area.  The Mason County Extension Agriculture program and Mason County Soil Conservation hosted a field day for local producers to increase awareness of water conservation and utilization of no-till drills for pasture renovation.  The host farm has developed a water collection system above ground to water livestock from rainwater to ease the costs of municipal water.   The water is collected in tanks and g

Full Story
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