Extension
It Starts With Us
Improved Management and Profitability
Agriculture and Environment
Amburgey, Clemons
Beef
Forages
Grains
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Bath County's 4 major commodities are Beef Cattle, Forages, Tobacco and Grain. Other minor commodities include vegetables, fruit, chickens, eggs, horses and goats. According the the latest census of agriculture, Bath County has 728 farms in the county which encompasses 127,159 acres making the average size farm 175 acres. In 2017 the total cash receipts for Bath County's agricultural products was $18,317,000 compared to $19,261,000 in 2012,. Total crop sales made a value of $8,994,000 with Tobacco accounting for 14%, Soybeans 26%, Corn 16% and all other crops including hay 44%. Total livestock sales made a value of $12,668,000 with Cattle & Calves accounting for nearly 90% of total livestock sales with the remainder coming from Poultry and Eggs, Sheep&Goats and All Other including breed/stud fees.
Comparing statistics from 2012 to 2017. The total Cattle & Calve numbers have increased 5.5% to 30,373 head. Corn acreage has decreased by 986 acres. Soybean acreage has increased by 391 acres producing an additional value of $130,203.00. Tobacco acreage has decreased by 640 acres from 2012 to 2017 to only 205 acres.
Hesitation of farmer to try different crops because of past experiences, profitability, lack of available market and resources have been a detriment to the expansion of ag in the county. Age of farmers and the lack youth interested in production agriculture have also had a negative effect.
Labor Issues (Dependability and Scarcity) continue to plague agriculture in this community.
- Improved marketing assistance
- Improved management and efficiency in crop production
- Improved production and management of livestock
- Improved pasture and forage utilization
- Development of value-added opportunities based on facilities located in the county (Example Commercial Kitchen).
- Improved profitability of farming enterprises
- Increase pounds of calves weaned/cow exposed
- Improve herd health through better management
- Improved pasture stands and quality
- Adoption of new crop opportunities
- Adoption of new technologies to improve farming efficiency
- Assess new marketing opportunities and incorporate into farming operations
- Work cooperatively to establish new markets for commodities
- Continue to improve management in the production of livestock in order to increase value and profitability
- Follow soil testing recommendations to maximize crop yield
- Use EPDs in selecting bulls
- Work with extension office to develop a balanced ration
- Improve livestock handling facilities
- Farmers will acquire new knowledge and skills from Extension sponsored programs.
- Management of farms will improve in the areas of production efficiencies, energy conservation, marketing, and adding value to their commodities.
- Farmers will soil test
- Attend trainings related to their farming operation
- Learn how to take soil tests
- Understand the benefit of rotational grazing
Outcome: Farmer’s take advantage of marketing opportunities
Indicator: more participation in local markets and auctions
Method: increase in total participation and total sales
Timeline: June through October
Outcome: Improved efficiency in beef production
Indicator: participation in learning opportunities and adoption of better management practices
Method: surveys and total participation, overall improvement in cattle income for the county
Timeline: April through December
Outcome: Better utilization of available resources
Indicator: increase in soil testing, crop yield data, total acreage
Method: ag census, crop reports, marketing data, surveys
Timeline: July through October
Audience: Farm Families
Project or Activity: County Agricultural Field Day, online learning opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Forage, Grain and Livestock Production
Inputs: Producer, Volunteers, Farm Organizations, Commodity Groups and UK Specialists
Date: August, September, October
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Production Meetings, BQCA, Demonstrations, Beef Association, online learning opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Health, Nutrition, Handling Facilities, Legislation, Environmental, Financial
Inputs: UK Specialists and Ag Business
Date: August, October, January, April, June
Audience: Tobacco, Grain and Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Agricultural Commodity Night, field days, online learning opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Production Updates, UK videos and publications
Inputs: UK and USDA, MSU, Private Industry
Date: January, February
Audience: vegetable and value added producers
Project or Activity: Regional growers meeting, PBPT, production information direct mailed, Farmer’s market and produce auction, marketing updates, hemp updates, online learning opportunities, online certifications
Content or Curriculum: production updates, variety improvements, soil testing information, market availability, value added opportunities, SrFMNP, WIC, PBPT training opportunities
Inputs: UK specialists, agent visits, trainings, regional events
Date: May – December
Audience: Youth and Teens
Project or Activity: Bath County Youth Cattle Program
Content and Curriculum: Beef Resource Handbook, online programs
Inputs: Bath County Cattleman's Association, U. K. Publications, U. K. Trainings
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Forages
The problemProducers struggle with proper pasture use and grazing management. As a result they continue to rely heavily on expensive feed alternatives when they could be better utilizing their pastures.The educational program responseUK forage specialists and NRCS personal participated in the Bath County field day program where they took producers I to the pastures on the host farm to discuss what management practices were being implemented and what practices could be adopted that would he
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
The problemThe extension offices in central Kentucky have provided local and regional lenders, updates on farm income and outlook to help them as they work with producers looking to borrow money for the purchase of capitol improvements or operating money for the year. Lenders in Eastern Kentucky have not had access to that same information. Lenders in the eastern portion of Kentucky have been in need of economic updates to help them as they work with our farmers and the p
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The problemBath County farmers and Kentucky farmers in general, have been successful in producing a variety of agricultural products. Where many of our farmers fall short is their ability to add value to the products they produce and to establish a marketing plan to realize the true value of what they have available.The educational program responseTo assist our local farmers meet both of these challenges, the Bath County ag program works and the Bath County Extension Office provide produce
