Barren County CES

Title:

Crop production, Livestock production, & Sustainable Agriculture

MAP:

Sustainable & Profitable Crop & Livestock Production

Agents Involved:

Schalk, Tarry, Crain

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Beef

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Chemical Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Grains

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Situation:

Barren County has traditionally led the region in diverse agriculture production. Producers utilizing these practices help to enhance their profitability & promote sustainability. Forages, grain crops, & tobacco continue to be in place on many Barren County farms. Dairy, beef, poultry, small ruminants, and horses are staples in many operations. Producers continue to be charged with producing commodities in an environmental sustainable manner.

 

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Diversify operations to meet the changing ag products needs

-Efficient use of crop protectants

-Increased producer profits in ag enterprises

-Increase overall efficiency in livestock, grain & forage operations

Intermediate Outcomes:

-Supply new/beginning farmers with skill set to manage farming enterprises

-Implement the use of decision making tools for crop & livestock production

-Convert used/unleased grain crop land back to improved permanent pasture/hay ground

-Maintain high standards and husbandry practices for beef and small ruminant operations

-Increase awareness of manure management and water quality improvement

-Develop unique marketing options for producers

Initial Outcomes:

-Equip producers to reduce risk and get a handle on cost of production

-Develop necessary skill sets

-Provide programs to improve soil health and sustainability

-Realize diversification within livestock enterprises

 

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Evaluate increased number of producers shown to utilize improved management practices in their crop production

Indicator: Note the number of producers utilizing product usage and purchasing habits in their farm management practices

Method: Surveys, farm visits, evaluations

Timeline: July-June

Intermediate Outcome: : Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing hay through tri county hay auction

Indicator: type, quality & price per unit

Method: Survey local farmers who are selling in sale

Timeline: Seasonal, by crop

Initial Outcome: Evaluate changes in grain producers risk management plans

Indicator: Note changes in grain crops producers who attended programming

Method: Farm visits, 1 on 1 interviews, survey

Timeline: after harvest season

Learning Opportunities:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

Audience: Tobacco Producers

Project or Activity: Tobacco GAP

Content or Curriculum: UK CAFÉ & GAP Connections

Inputs: GAP materials, specialist(s), GAP connections, US Dept of Labor

Date: Spring

Audience: Crop Producers

Project or Activity: Chemical Management Training

Content or Curriculum: Private Pesticide Training, Specialists

Inputs: UK Specialists, videos, field days

Date: Winter and early Spring

Audience: Animal Commodity Groups

Project or Activity: Monthly meetings

Content or Curriculum: forages, nutrition, health, marketing, management

Inputs: CAFÉ resources, UK & KSU specialists, SRPS

Date: July through June

Audience: Producers & Citizens Interested in Agriculture

Project or Activity: Get the Scoop radio show on WGGC

Content or Curriculum: Timely topics on production, safety, & new technology.

Inputs: Agents, CAFÉ resources, & UK specialists

Date: July through June

Audience: Forage Producers

Project or Activity: Producing profitable forage

Content or Curriculum: Forage best management practices

Inputs: Agents, UK specialists

Date: Fall and Winter

Audience: 4-H Youth Interested in Agriculture

Project or Activity: 4-H projects in horses, dairy, livestock, natural resources, & plant & soil sciences

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Core Curriculum & National 4-H project curriculum

Inputs: CAFÉ resources, UK specialists, 4-H specialists

Date: July through June

Success Stories