Extension
It Starts With Us
Livestock, Poultry, & Crops
Promoting Commodities & Crop Production
Guffey
Beef
Forages
Grains
Tornado Response and Recovery
Livestock and Poultry production make up the majority of farm income for Clinton County producers at $37.57 million, with poultry being the top commodity according to the Census of Agriculture County Profile (2017). Crop sales totaled $3.04 million. A recent positive turn in commodity prices have row crop producers interested in increasing production. Inputs such as fertilize, seed and fuel have increased as well, a need was identified by discussion with producers on the opportunity of increasing grain production in the area. Beef cow/calf producers continue to see declining prices along with rising feed, fuel and fertilizer costs, a need was identified by the Ag program council to assist producers in finding ways to reduce input costs, become more efficient, and improve net farm income.
- Improved input efficiency
- Improved production and profitability of forage-based livestock systems.
- Reducing input costs and increasing profits for grain producers.
- Reduced environmental impact
- Utilize the futures and options market to limit downside market risk.
- Improved cash flow from utilizing budgets to make decisions.
- Be proactive in preventing herbicide resistance in grain crops.
- Improved litter utilization by grain and forage producers.
- Use the feeder cattle futures and options market to make price predictions and predict market direction.
- Develop a grazing plan
- Producers utilize budgeting tools to make purchasing and marketing decisions.
- Group marketing of feeder calves to capture value added pricing.
- Develop proper record keeping techniques for the farming operation.
- Awareness of forage trial information and recommended variety tables.
- Develop marketing strategies that assist producers with price risk.
- Enhance knowledge of grazing management practices for all grazing species.
- Awareness of budgeting tools for Livestock, poultry and grain crop production.
- Determine if Cereal Rye is a viable crop for production in the area.
- Determine the most cost effective Nitrogen source for wheat.
Initial Outcome: Improving knowledge of grazing practices
Indicator: Producers increasing production through grazing techniques.
Method: Surveys and site visits.
Timeline: On-going
Initial Outcome: Participation in county programming increases.
Indicator: Attendance numbers.
Method: Rosters.
Timeline: Spring, Fall, & Winter
Long term Outcome: Improved production and profitability of forage based livestock systems
Indicator: producers reporting improvements in production and profitability
Method: surveys
Timeline: Spring, Fall, & Winter
Initial Outcome: Awareness of budgeting tools available
Indicator: producers utilizing budgeting tools and templates.
Method: Surveys and site visits.
Timeline: On-going
Initial Outcome: Learning basic principles of welding and oxy fuel cutting
Indicator: producers reports of masking simple welding repairs on-farm
Method: Surveys and site visits.
Timeline: On-going
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Beef Quality and Care Assurance Training
Content or Curriculum: Beef Quality and Care Assurance Training Materials
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Winter 2023/24
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Twin Lakes Cattle Assoc. Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Beef Cattle production topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Clinton-Cumberland County Cattleman’s Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Beef cattle production topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Quarterly
Audience: Forage Producers
Project or Activity: Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Fall, Winter 2023/24
Audience: Poultry Producers
Project or Activity: Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Managing Poultry Litter for Profit
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: TBD
Audience: Grain Producers
Project or Activity: Grain Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: Winter 2022
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: CAIP Trainings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK Specialists & industry professionals
Date: As Needed
Audience: All Producers
Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: Agr-1 Fertilizer Recommendations
Inputs: Agent, Staff, UK Regulatory Services
Date: Ongoing
Activity: Forage Testing
Audience: Forage Producers
Content or Curriculum: Forage Testing Lab
Inputs: UK forage and Nutrition Specialists
Date: Ongoing
Activity: Introduction of Budgeting tools and templates during production meetings.
Audience: Livestock, poultry and grain crop producers.
Content or Curriculum: UK budgeting tools and templates in Excel.
Inputs: UK Economic Specialists
Date: Winter 22/23
Activity: On-farm trial for Biological N for Corn
Audience: Forage and grain producers
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/Specialists
Inputs: UK Soils/Grain crops Specialists
Date: Summer 2023
Activity: Basic/Advanced Welding for Farmers
Audience: All Producers
Content or Curriculum: Area Technology Center Curriculum
Inputs: Area Technology Center Welding Instructor
Date: Fall 2023/Spring 2024
Activity: Farm transition/estate planning
Audience: All Producers
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/Specialists
Inputs: UK Economics Specialist/Local Attorney
Date: Winter 2024
Activity: Corn/Soybean variety plots
Audience: All Producers
Content or Curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: UK Specialists/Industry Partners
Date: Summer/Fall 2023
Activity: Farm Safety
Audience: All Producers
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/videos
Inputs: Online videos/UK specialists
Date: Quarterly during Cattle mtgs.
Activity: Native Wildflower pollinator plot
Audience: Beekeepers/Homeowners
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/KYFWDR resources
Inputs: UK Specialists/KYFWDR personnel
Date: Fall 2024
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Beef
The problemNew cow/calf producers looking for educational opportunities to enhance their operations. The educational program responseFour county master cattleman educational series. The participants/target audienceBeef cow/calf producers Other partners (if applicable)UK Extension specialistsProgram impact or participant response.Producers attending the educational sessions gained knowledge to help decrease costs associated with cow/calf production, as well as ways to help market t
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Forages
The problemUnwanted weeds in pastures and hayfields limit production of desirable forage species. Producers are continually looking for options to control weeds in pastures and hay fields. The educational program responseAn educational program designed with hands-on weed ID and optional control recommendations was conducted. The participants/target audienceBeef producers/others interested in controlling unwanted weeds in pasture and hay fields. Other partners (if applicable)UK Ext
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Forages
The problemProducer pulled soil samples for a pasture field to receive fertilizer recommendations. After discussion with producer, upon delivering the results and fertilizer recommendations it was discovered that they had only pulled a few cores and in the "bad" areas of the field. The fertilizer recommendation was very high in regard to what would normally be recommended for pastures. The educational program responseThe producer was educated on the importance of pulli
